QUEDGELEY'S Scott Redding crossed the finish line in today's Grand Prix de Catalunya as the top production Honda rider in 12th place, but was later demoted one place, behind Nicky Hayden, as a result of a time penalty imposed after the race.

A coming together with Cal Crutchlow early in the race lost Scott valuable time and allowed Hayden to close onto the back of the 21-year-old Briton. The two battled throughout the race, but it was Scott who held the advantage at the line.

However, the positions were reversed post race, when Scott was deemed to have gained an advantage after an off-track excursion at turn one and penalised by race direction.

The decision means Scott remains 14th in the MotoGP Championship standings, but now trails Hayden by three points.

Redding said:“Overall I’m pretty happy with the race today, although the penalty is obviously disappointing.

"I came together with Crutchlow early on, which lost me some time and allowed Hayden to close, but the gamble we took with the softer option tyre proved to be a good one and I managed to hold him off to the end.

"I’m happy because we achieved our target of being the first production Honda home at a circuit that isn’t one of my favourites.

"Unfortunately the result didn’t stand because of the penalty imposed after the race. I had a problem backshifting into turn one and, rather than risk a crash, I opted to run on.

"I gained a little bit of time, but in sector two I slowed to make up for this. In the end I got penalised for the time I made up in turn one and me slowing down in sector two wasn’t taken into account.

"It’s difficult to accept, because if I hadn’t slowed down to make things fair, even with the penalty I’d have finished 12th. Yes, I’m disappointed, but there’s nothing I can do about it, so we have to move on.”