Scott Redding ended the first half of the season as he started it, by finishing as the top production Honda rider, in 11th position, in today’s rain affected German Grand Prix at the Sachsenring.

With rain falling shortly before the MotoGP bikes took to the grid, Redding started the sighting lap with a wet set-up and wet tyres on his Honda RCV1000R but, with the track having dried considerably while the riders were sat on the grid, the 21-year-old Briton opted to return to the pits and switch to his spare bike, with slicks and a dry set-up, before starting the race from pit lane.

Redding wasn’t alone in making this decision, as more riders started the race from pit lane than started from the grid, including both factory Hondas and both factory Yamahas.

It proved to be the right decision as Stefan Bradl, the early leader, was quickly overhauled by the pursuing pack. Redding held his own against the prototype bikes in the tricky conditions, only dropping back to 11th as grip improved and the prototype bikes were able to take advantage of their superior power.

Redding said: “Today was good for me. From the start I thought it was going to be all about trying to beat Nicky Hayden, like every race, but I pushed as soon as we were released from pit lane and I was quite fast, even compared to the factory bikes.

"I took a lot of risks on the wet parts of the track early on, because I had to if I was going to stay with the guys in front. I was feeling quite comfortable and I remained reasonably strong when the rear tyre started to go off.

"Even when Pol Espargaro came past me I managed to stay with him for two or three laps and it was the same with my teammate, Alvaro. I leave here happy, because I gave everything today.”