91�ȱ�

Scott Redding strengthened his grip on the world Moto2 championship with a brilliant home win in the British Grand Prix at Silverstone.

The Briton, 20, thrilled a huge crowd to take victory and open up a 38-point advantage over Pol Espargaro.

Japanese rider Takaaki Nakagami was second, with Espargaro struggling to an eighth-placed finish.

"To get a home win is amazing and it has done wonders for the championship as well," said Redding.

"The crowd were brilliant. The atmosphere pushed me on and kept me calm."

It is the second time he has won his home race after

It caps a great week for Redding, who on Thursday signed a contract to move up into MotoGP from next season.

He celebrated wildly with the home crowd on an extended slowing-down lap.

Redding, whose Marc VDS racing bike was sporting special Union Jack paintwork this weekend, made a great start to lead through the first corner as title rival Espargaro went backwards.

Nakagami moved through to take the lead with seven laps left, but when he ran wide at Village corner three laps later Redding was able to move back ahead and take his third win of the season.

Redding's win came on the day that Silverstone paid tribute to Barry Sheene - the last British rider to win a premier class race.

"To do it on a weekend when we've been celebrating the life of Barry Sheene, one of the all-time greats of motorcycle racing, was just the icing on the cake for me," added Redding.

"The win today means I leave Silverstone with a 38 point lead in the championship and with one less race for my main rivals to try and reel me in. All in all, a good weekend all round."