PETRONAS Sprinta Racing laid down a marker in Moto2 in the Emilia Romagna GP, with Xavi Vierge taking an early race lead and battling at the front both before and after a rain red flag interruption and Jake Dixon finishing a career-best sixth in the restarted 10-lap race.
The initial Moto2 race and the 10-lap sprint started in the best way possible for Vierge, who lunged into the lead both times, although he dropped to second in the first laps. The Spaniard looked set to achieve PETRONAS Sprinta Racing’s first Moto2 podium, as he continued to hold second during the first half of the race. Unfortunately contact with five laps to go brought his day to an early end.
It was a day to celebrate for Jake Dixon, who rode as high as third before the race was red flagged. The Brit had a lightning start and had found a good rhythm, until the rain started to fall and he fell back to ninth. Jake had another good getaway on the restart, but a couple of mistakes dropped him to 12th. Recovering well he powered through the field to take sixth at the chequered flag: his first top-six Moto2 finish.
The Moto2 duo will now travel to Spain for the third race in this September triple header, which will take place at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya (25-27 September).
Johan Stigefelt
Team Director
This Moto2 race was a really good one to watch. Both riders had a really good start in the first one, with Xavi leading and Jake up to fifth. They were both maintaining their places but then it started raining and they dropped back a bit. The race was red flagged but the restart was good again, for both of them.
Xavi was leading the race for a while and then protecting his second place as much as he could. He had the hard tyre today, while most guys around him had the soft for the ten lap race. It made it hard for him in the beginning but we knew he could benefit from the hard tyre at the end. Unfortunately he was taken out by another rider, which is a real shame as we know we could have had good results today.
I’m so happy that Jake finished sixth, his best Moto2 result and it’s only been a few races with this team. He’s just growing day by day and getting faster and faster. It’s just a pleasure to work with him and see his progress.