Official: Dixon switches to Petronas in Moto2
Petronas Sprinta Racing has officially announced Jake Dixon has signed for its Moto2 squad for 2020 alongside Xavi Vierge.
After Hafizh Syahrin effectively replaced the British rider at the Angel Nieto team ahead of his return to the intermediate class from next season, Dixon will head to the Sepang Racing Team-run squad for his second year in Moto2.
The deal ensures two British riders remain on the Moto2 grid, with Sam Lowes heading to the Marc VDS team for 2020, as Dixon looks to build on a challenging rookie campaign on uncompetitive machinery. Dixon has picked up just one points finish so far this season, 12th place at Assen, and is 26th in the riders’ standings.
“I’m super excited to be joining Petronas Sprinta Racing and I can’t wait to jump on the bike," Dixon said. "It’s clearly a great team - you only have to look at the success they’re having this year in MotoGP and Moto3 to see that.
"It’s a massive opportunity for me, and I’m definitely going to be giving it my all to do my very best. 2019 hasn’t been the easiest of years for me, but I’ve learned a lot and it gives me a good base for 2020. The Kalex is a well-proven bike, and it’ll be nice to jump onto one of them too. I don’t know what the targets will be until I try out the bike, and I’ll start the season just taking it race by race.
"I’ll know what’s possible after testing, but now that I’ve got an amazing team behind me I want to be fighting for podiums by the end of the season.”
“Jake Dixon is a highly rated fine addition to the Petronas Sprinta Racing team and we’re expecting good things from him and Xavi Vierge in Moto2 next season," Razlan Razali, team principal, added. "The British Superbike Championship is extremely competitive, so for him to win races in his first full season and finish second the following year there shows his potential.
"We've been taken by Jake's talent and application in his first year of Moto2. Jake represents the final piece in the puzzle for our 2020 rider line-up across MotoGP, Moto3 and Moto2 and we’re all excited to have two bikes in Moto2 for the first time in 2020.”
Dixon’s deal leaves only a handful of Moto2 race seats left to fill for 2020, with Dynavolt Intact GP yet to announce its second rider next to Marcel Schrotter and Idemitsu Honda Team Asia set to do the same alongside Somkiat Chantra. Both spots at MV Agusta Forward Racing are also still to be confirmed.
