Marc Marquez comparison reveals why British MotoGP talent is disappearing

Redding, who is currently racing in British Superbikes, started his professional career in the 125cc series, now named Moto3, in 2008.

There, he competed against Marquez and even beat him in the standings while winning his home race at Donington Park.

Their careers would both take them through Moto2 and up to MotoGP, but the similarities mostly end there, with Marquez becoming a motorcycling legend with nine world championships.

Redding, meanwhile, recorded his career-best finish in 2013 as a Moto2 championship runner-up.

The now 33-year-old made 90 MotoGP starts and recorded two podiums, more than respectable on satellite machinery in the premier class. Yet at the same time, Marquez was collecting title after title.

Since Redding left the sport in 2018, British riders have continued to disappear, with zero full-time competitors on the grid this season, a number only covered up by Cal Crutchlow’s substitution run in place of Johann Zarco.

MotoGP, Moto2 and Moto3 are increasingly dominated by Spanish and Italian riders, and for Redding, it isn’t because of their nationality, but the backing they get.

Asked if being British was prohibitive, he told the Scruff Bags Podcast: "It's always been a big issue, and of course it plays a role.

Redding graduated to Moto2 in 2010 with Marquez joining him a year later.

However, the former spent four years in the second class to the latter’s two, with Marquez becoming Moto2 champion in 2012 and getting promoted.

That was controversial in itself, as Marquez jumped straight onto a factory Honda despite a rookie rule requiring graduates to spend their first two years on a satellite bike.

Redding saw that as another form of backing that he simply never had.

"This rule was in place for two years,” he said. “When Marquez arrived, it was gone. Straight into the Honda factory team.

He continued: "I don't think the British passport explains everything. I think the passport is the name we give it to excuse the fact that we don't do more for our drivers.

Redding eventually found himself on a satellite Honda in MotoGP with Marc VDS Racing, but in 2015, when the new chassis caused problems, the factory team were allowed to swap back, while he was left with the faulty new model.

Redding concluded: "Marc later told me he felt sorry for me because he knew exactly what I was struggling with."