The 2022 rider market in the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship has had one piece fall into place with Scott Redding making the switch to the BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team for the 2022 season after two seasons competing with the Aruba.it Racing – Ducati outfit, claiming a runner-up spot in the standings in his first full season with the Bologna-based manufacturer.

Redding moved to WorldSBK for 2020 after a successful 2019 competing in the UK and made an immediate impact on the World Championship, claiming six consecutive podiums to launch his WorldSBK career in style. He was able to challenge Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) for the title in his rookie season but ultimately came up short. 2021 has proved to be a challenging year for Redding and Ducati with plenty of ups and downs, with the news of Redding’s move to BMW coming after a strong weekend at Most where Redding claimed one win and three podiums.

In total, Redding has claimed eight victories and 22 podiums from his 42 WorldSBK races to date. Prior to his move to WorldSBK, Redding claimed the British superbike title in 2019 while he also has plenty of MotoGP™ experience to his name with 90 races started, claiming two podiums throughout his time in MotoGP™.

For 2022, Redding will partner Dutch rider Michael van der Mark at the BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team with van der Mark heading into his second season with the German manufacturer. Talks between BMW and van der Mark’s current teammate, 2013 World Champion Tom Sykes, are underway about a contract extension for 2022.

In a post on Instagram, Redding paid tribute to his Ducati colleagues throughout his career but revealed why he signed for BMW. He said: “This is a very special day for me to announce that I will be joining BMW Motorrad Motorsport for the 2022 World Superbike Championship campaign. They were the first manufacturer that really wanted me to sign for them in WorldSBK, and I’m thrilled that we have been able to reach this agreement. This was a very difficult decision for me because I have enjoyed my time with Ducati immensely. I have raced for them in MotoGP™, British Superbikes and WorldSBK. They helped me win the British Superbike title in my first attempt in 2019 and I was able to finish runner-up in my first season in World Superbikes with their support last year.

“I will always have a special place in my heart for the people at Ducati and their incredible fans. My only focus now is to continue giving my maximum for Ducati and my crew for the remainder of 2021. We are still fighting to win the title and I’m determined to end our relationship in positive fashion. But I feel it is the right time to make the move to BMW Motorrad and take on a new and exciting challenge. It’s clear how much they want me to be part of their project. They have demonstrated dedication and development since their come back to WorldSBK. I’m honoured that they have put their trust in me to help them achieve their goals and I am completely convinced that with their commitment, ambition and resources we can enjoy a very successful relationship together.”

Marc Bongers, BMW Motorrad Motorsport Director said: “We are very pleased to welcome Scott to our WorldSBK family. In the last years, he has proven to make a great transition from GP through BSB into WorldSBK, to become one of the strongest riders in the field. We are therefore convinced that Scott, with his fighting spirit and absolute will to win, is the perfect new addition for the BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team and another reinforcement for our entire WorldSBK project. A warm welcome to Scott, we are looking forward to a strong collaboration.”

Shaun Muir, Team Principal of the BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team added: “We have been following Scott’s career for a number of years and are delighted that he will now become a part of our team. His successes speak for themselves and it is great that he will bring his skills and his experience to the BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team in the future. With getting him on board, BMW Motorrad Motorsport once more underlines the huge importance of the WorldSBK project and the aim of establishing themselves at the very top.”

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