Double Moto2 points finish for PETRONAS Sprinta Racing in Qatar

2020-03-09 18:56
It was a double points finish for PETRONAS Sprinta Racing under the floodlights of Losail International Circuit, in Qatar, as Xavi Vierge and Jake Dixon finished the first Moto2 race of the 2020 season 9th and 14th respectively.

After a strong qualifying session yesterday, Xavi continued this good form at the start of the race and ensured that his Triumph-powered Kalex machine was at the sharp end of the grid for the majority of the race, after starting tenth. Unfortunately an issue with the front tyre forced the Spaniard to change strategy to conserve the tyre to ensure that he crossed the line. Despite battling with this issue for the final eight laps, Vierge put in a solid performance and was able to cross the line ninth, earning valuable championship points.

Team-mate Dixon was forced wide during the first lap to avoid a collision, but was able to make up a couple of places during the few laps of the race. Biding his time, the Brit was able to keep tyre wear to a minimum to build an attack in the closing stages. Proving that he was stronger than those riders around him, the Brit set his fastest lap of the race in the penultimate lap. Having started 20th, Dixon was able to cross the line 14th.

The PETRONAS Sprinta Racing team will now have to wait until next month for Vierge and Dixon to be back out on track, as the postponement of the Thai GP sees America host the second round of the season (3-5 April).






Razlan Razali
Team Principal





A very unusual weekend without MotoGP, but it was an opportunity for both Moto2 and Moto3 classes to hog the limelight. The results from this weekend were positive with a great second position for John. KIP is struggling but that’s expected coming from Moto2, especially without racing for nearly a year, to the extremely competitive Moto3 class. He can evaluate this weekend and work to improve himself now to be better in the next round.

Great result in Moto2 to have both riders in the points. We need to understand about the tyre situation with Xavi. He had a good pace but that dropped because of the tyre, it wasn’t only him either. Very good race from Jake too, to come back and score two points is something that we can be proud of. He managed the tyres very well. So all positive and we look forward to the next round. We do leave Qatar with uncertainty about where we are going next but the riders will just have to keep their heads down, focus and be ready for when the next race will be.

Source: SIC Racing Team

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