SCOTT Redding was in the points for the fifth MotoGP race on the spin in Spain.

Boosted by a career first  podium in Misano last time out, the 22-year-old was confident he could race his Honda RC213V machine into top 10 contention in  today's 23-lap battle.

But niggling technical issues hindered Redding’s charge in the latter stages of the race, just at the point when he looked well placed to attack Yonny Hernandez for 10th position.

Vibration and pumping from Redding’s rear tyre forced him to drastically reduce his speed in the final stages and he slipped back to 12th position to score points for the fifth race in succession.

Redding and Team Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS will now look to mount a stronger challenge in Honda’s vital home round at the Twin Ring Motegi in Japan, which kicks-off the most intensive phase of the season, with races to follow in Australia and Malaysia on successive weekends.

Redding said: “It wasn’t a great day and a tough race capped off a pretty difficult weekend to be honest.

"We came here on a high after Misano knowing it would be difficult, but I had some brake issues getting up to temperature and a lot of pumping from the rear. I thought I could get Hernandez but in the last few laps I lost a lot of feeling with the bike.

"The rear tyre turned on the rim a bit but I don’t think that was my biggest issue. I felt some vibration and it had an impact on rear grip. But the last laps were a struggle and it was disappointing to see the times increase so much.”

Team principal Michael Bartholem added: “It was a difficult race and obviously we missed the target of finishing inside the top 10. The lap times at the end of the race dropped quite a lot and he had an issue with the rear tyre.

"But that aside we still expected to be stronger and closer to the group that was ahead fighting for the top six. We have a very tough period of the championship approaching now with the flyaway triple header in Japan, Australia and Malaysia where we will be giving our all to finish the season in positive fashion.”