Scott Redding is set to make a surprise return to the Bennetts British Superbike Championship (BSB) this weekend at Knockhill, stepping in for the injured Glenn Irwin at Hager PBM Ducati.
Irwin, who finished second in last year’s championship, has been sidelined after sustaining a serious injury during a high-speed crash in Free Practice 3 at Snetterton. The incident resulted in a fractured sacrum, and the Northern Irish rider has since undergone surgery. At this stage, there’s no definitive timeline for his recovery or return to racing.
Redding’s return marks a homecoming of sorts — he’s reuniting with the very team he raced with during his lone BSB season in 2019, where he clinched the championship title. That season saw the former MotoGP rider win 11 races and narrowly edge out teammate Josh Brookes to secure the crown by just five points.
“I’m genuinely excited to be racing again in BSB, especially at Knockhill,” Redding said ahead of the weekend. “Coming back to the series and to this team brings back a lot of great memories — we had something special in 2019. I’m here to give it everything I’ve got for the team, the sponsors, and of course the fans. This is a big opportunity, and I want to make it count. At the same time, I’m wishing Glenn a fast and full recovery. It’s never easy watching a teammate go through that.”
Since lifting the BSB title, Redding has remained deeply familiar with Ducati machinery. He stepped up to the World Superbike Championship (WSBK) in 2020 with the factory Aruba.it Ducati team, immediately making an impact. In his debut season, he took five race wins and stood on the podium 14 times, eventually finishing second in the championship behind six-time titleholder Jonathan Rea.
Redding built on that strong start in 2021, adding another seven victories and 23 podiums to his résumé. Despite the improvements, he ended that season third overall, trailing Toprak Razgatlıoğlu and Rea.
He then made a significant switch, joining BMW for the next three WSBK seasons. However, his time aboard the M1000 RR never quite reached the same heights. Redding’s most notable results included three podium finishes and an eighth-place best in the championship standings — solid, but not the level of success he previously enjoyed with Ducati.
In 2025, he made his return to Ducati in WSBK, this time riding with the Bonovo Action team. The season started on a promising note with two fourth-place finishes at Phillip Island. Since then, his top result has been a sixth-place finish in the Superpole Race at Assen.
Hager PBM Ducati co-owner Jordan Bird shared an update on Irwin’s condition while also expressing enthusiasm about Redding’s return.
“Glenn’s recovery is progressing well, and the entire team is behind him as he heals,” Bird said. “We’re hoping to have him back as soon as he’s ready, but in the meantime, we couldn’t be more excited to welcome Scott back to the fold. His experience and speed bring a lot to the team. If his 2019 season is anything to go by, we’ve got a lot to look forward to.”
Bird also extended his thanks to everyone who worked to make Redding’s temporary comeback happen and had a message for the local fanbase.
“To all our fans in Scotland, we know you’ll be just as excited as we are to see Scott back in BSB. Knockhill always delivers great racing, and having a former champion on board will only add to the buzz. We hope to see a big crowd cheering him on this weekend.”
Redding’s history at Knockhill is short but impressive. During his only appearance at the Scottish venue in 2019, he took victory in one race and finished runner-up in the other — a remarkable performance considering it was his first-ever visit to the circuit.
With Redding back in the saddle and plenty of anticipation in the air, Knockhill is shaping up to be a pivotal weekend in the 2025 BSB season.
