RE: Scott Redding: PH Meets (again)

RE: Scott Redding: PH Meets (again)

Tuesday 25th November 2014

Scott Redding: PH Meets (again)

MotoGP's original head banger talks weight loss, dangle angle and his hopes for next year



Last time PH2 spoke to you was before the Silverstone MotoGP race and you weren't 100 per cent sure on the specification for your 2015 RCV; what have you got?
"I've got the proper one, the same package as Marc Marquez for 2015. It's the full deal so I have a good chance of getting some good results. Seamless gear change, pneumatic valves, the works."

A rest now the season is over? Not a bit of it!
A rest now the season is over? Not a bit of it!
How does that feel compared to the RC1000V you ran this year?
"We have only done a few days of testing, but it has a lot more power and the gearbox is very good. Our times weren't that good, but we are nowhere near where we need to be with the settings. I need more time to understand the bike as the electronics are completely different."

How close is the RC213V-RS to the RC1000V?
"Not even similar. You can't even put the footpegs from one bike on the other! The only thing that fits are the grips I think. At the moment the team is concentrating on understanding this new bike rather than rushing out for a lap time, we are getting there.

"Also, we are now running Ohlins suspension and Brembo brakes rather than Showa and Nissin, and this also takes time to understand. The limits on the Ohlins are further than the Showa ones and so I get to a point where I'm thinking 'Ohh, that's enough' and I just have to go for it and discover that there is more grip. That takes a bit of bravery. It's all about finding the limits on this new bike as they are further than the old one."

Do you have data from other riders to compare?
"Yes, some, but it's really only after the Malaysia test that we need to start looking at other team's results and comparing our times."

2015 RC213V-RS very different to 2014 bike
2015 RC213V-RS very different to 2014 bike
What is the biggest difference between the RCV and RC?
"The size. The bars feel higher on the RCV and the seat is lower yet the whole bike is higher. The tank is smaller and the engine far more powerful, although during the test we were being held back a bit by the electronics."

What will happen with future upgrades?
"We will get what Marquez gets, but after a bit of a delay, obviously."

You aren't going to ride the bike again until February in Malaysia, what do you do over winter to keep sharp?
"Lose weight. I honestly don't know what to do to shed it, I'm not eating and just running. Honda have said I need less weight due to the fuel consumption issues, so I'm trying to cut down from 78kg to 75kg, I'm currently 77.2kg. I couldn't even hit 75kg in Moto2, but I'm determined. I need to let everything waste away as I have too much muscle. The problem is shifting it, you can train to put on muscle, but not take it away. I'm trying not to train or eat to lose the muscle and also running as that doesn't put muscle on and instead leans you out. After Christmas I'll work on putting the muscle back on. Once I'm down to the right weight I'll work to control it."

Scott will get Marquez's bike upgrades (eventually)
Scott will get Marquez's bike upgrades (eventually)
Do you go near a motorcycle over winter?
"Yeah, supermoto, motocross and I'm going to start a bit of flat track training. I like riding so I'll always be on a bike."

What did you learn in your first year of MotoGP?
"A lot, mainly how hard the guys ride and how much they push all the time. There is never a break, they are on the limit for the whole race. It has been a good season, I was top open Honda, and I feel like I have learnt a lot, but it will be nice to have some power beneath me next year."

Does your size help or hinder on a MotoGP bike?
"The bike is quite small and obviously I have more weight to stop but also my weight can load up the rear tyre and help with corner exit and I have more leverage when it comes to change of direction, so it flows both ways."

What made you think getting your head down around a corner at Valencia would be a good idea?
"I don't know, I saw a picture and my shoulder was on the ground and I thought 'If I relax my head and let it drop I'll get it on the floor.' I gave it a try and it was like I was riding upside down! I looked at the video and I was so close to hitting the ground I thought I'd give it another shot. I had two attempts after the race and got it on the second go. I was well happy! I was just enjoying myself and having a bit of a laugh."

Full 2015 testing begins in February at Malaysia
Full 2015 testing begins in February at Malaysia
Do you often look at pictures of yourself?
"Yeah, to see where I can improve, not just study my angle! I compare myself to other riders and look at body position, angle, where they are on track, you can always learn and improve."

At the moment elbow down is common, you are currently dragging your arm, are you in danger of running out of ground clearance?
"At the moment it's not really the elbow, it's the side of the arm and Alpinestars have had to move the elbow slider's position more up the arm! When I look at the pictures the inside of my leg is on the fairing and my arm is against my leg and my knee isn't even on the floor but my arm is! I probably need to change my style for next year and I've been looking at old pictures to see how I used to ride. The Bridgestone soft tyre has got me into a funny habit due to its massive edge grip and I need to get out of this. I need to ease back the dangle angle."

What's the best thing about being a MotoGP rider?
"Living life on the edge - the adrenalin. You have to get it when you can and this gets me the most adrenalin. I'm not going to lie, it scares me, but I enjoy the fact it does! I love the buzz, the competitiveness and the need to win. That's what I enjoy, having to work to win and not just having it given to you... "


Scott was talking to PH2 thanks to Bennetts Insurance. If you want to see stars like Scott, then pop to Motorcycle Live at the NEC, which is on until November 30. For info check out the website; it is worth attending just to hear Kawasaki rev the H2R up on a dyno...

Author
Discussion

smilo996

Original Poster:

2,754 posts

169 months

Tuesday 25th November 2014
quotequote all
Some funny comments. Seems relaxed and happy.

If he gets updates after Repsol then presumably his bike will not be as current as the Repsols?

Good article.

SpudLink

5,669 posts

191 months

Tuesday 25th November 2014
quotequote all
smilo996 said:
If he gets updates after Repsol then presumably his bike will not be as current as the Repsols?
isn't there a problem of new prototype parts taking time to manufacture in sufficient numbers? If they have some new snazzy component, they'll want to make sure the factory team has enough to supply spares for all their riders before supplying the satellite teams.

moanthebairns

17,918 posts

197 months

Tuesday 25th November 2014
quotequote all
smilo996 said:
Some funny comments. Seems relaxed and happy.
Did you read it in his voice? He could be reading the magna carta or the Sean Connery joke thread and I wouldn't be able to tell the difference, with his hit in the head with a brick style of talking.

joema

2,644 posts

178 months

Tuesday 25th November 2014
quotequote all
I think he will get some pretty damn good results next year.

strike4A

76 posts

192 months

Tuesday 25th November 2014
quotequote all
Main difference will be the work being done on the electronics. The Repsols will have 10s of people working on improving them whereas the satellite teams typically only have 2-3 each.

Also, the article is slightly misleading in that the RC213V-RS is the new open class Honda bike to replace the RC1000V. Redding will be on a factory 2015 RC213V like Crutchlow will. Jack Miller, Nicky Hayden etc will be on RC213V-RSs.

Monteverdi Hai

23 posts

112 months

Tuesday 25th November 2014
quotequote all
A factory Repsol ride is the ultimate aim and Scott's taking the right step from where he was, to where he deserves to be (riding Pedrosas' bike).

He took it to Marquez on the Moto2 bikes and if he gets the same machinery (albeit with delayed updates), he's got the talent to take it to Marquez again.

Then it'll be the rise of the new 'alien' generation and in my opinion, a much better spectacle to watch than the dinosaur that is F1.

Centurion07

10,381 posts

246 months

Tuesday 25th November 2014
quotequote all
Scott Redding said:
... the same package as Marc Marquez for 2015
That^ is VERY good news. I knew it was a huge step up but I didn't realise it was the same as MM's bike. bounce