After seven seasons in Moto2, seven wins and 22 podiums, Jake Dixon says he’s now “okay” with the concept his MotoGP goals might by no means come true as he prepares to start out a brand new chapter in World Superbike.
Dixon, who entered Moto2 as runner-up of the 2018 British Superbike title, twice competed in MotoGP as an alternative to Petronas Yamaha in 2021.
However regardless of being a front-runner in Moto2 for the previous 4 seasons (together with three wins this yr as the highest rider at Bosco Curro), a seat within the premier class by no means materialized.
“I am not saying I am feeling sorry for myself, however issues did not work out for me when it comes to stepping into MotoGP and I am okay with that now,” Dixon mentioned after Sunday’s last race in Valencia.
“At first, I wasn’t comfortable about it. However that is how cookies crumble, so to be sincere, I am actually, actually proud of my choice. I am wanting ahead to my subsequent journey.”
Success in Moto2 did not come simple, and it took Dixon till his fourth yr on the rostrum.
Nevertheless, the British rider is assured that the flexibility he has proven since then and his earlier Superbike expertise will lead him to success in WorldSBK.
Requested how his time within the Grand Prix paddock had modified him as a rider and as an individual, Dixon replied:
“I have been probably the most outrageous individual at instances! I’ve mentioned the incorrect issues and the fitting issues. I’ve adopted my coronary heart for higher or for worse.
“Whether or not you like me or hate me, I at all times attempt to keep true to myself and say how I really feel. Definitely, I’ve realized and proceed to study so many laborious classes.
“However if you happen to had informed me at the start that I’d be right here for seven years, I’d have bitten your hand off.
“I have been right here longer than most. The nice factor for me is that I’ve received numerous Grands Prix and been on the rostrum loads. I occur to be slightly older when it comes to age.”
“For those who’re 29 years outdated and also you’re driving a superbike, you are already a child, so it is a very ageist house!”
“However I realized a lot. After I got here right here, I wasn’t doing sure strategies like I’m now.”
“The nice factor is that I received with many bike mixtures: I received with Kalex and Ohlins, then I received with Kalex and WP, and now I received with Bosco Scuro.
“So I’m very versatile when it comes to what I can trip, so it’s good to attach with superbikes. I’m actually excited concerning the subsequent undertaking.”
Jake Dixon, Valencia Moto2 Grand Prix
WorldSBK “The window is wider… you are on a knife edge right here”
Dixon, who will make his Honda World Superbike debut throughout testing at Jerez subsequent week, additionally gave perception into why he feels SBK is “broader”.
“Truthfully, I believe the saving grace is that I’ve expertise on superbikes. Sure, it was eight years in the past, however I nonetheless know the fundamentals of what it takes to trip a superbike,” he mentioned.
“Sure, World Superbike is slightly totally different (than BSB), however like I mentioned, I realized loads right here.
“It is not that World Superbike is at a low stage. It is a ridiculously excessive stage. Have a look at Toprak. The highest 10 are all actually, actually quick.”
“I believe what’s slightly totally different is that these bikes aren’t on a knife edge. Right here they’re on a knife edge as a result of the chassis is so stiff. Driving a Grand Prix prototype bike is loads totally different than driving a road bike.”
“So when somebody from right here hops right into a Supersport, they will do higher as a result of they assume, ‘Rattling, the home windows are loads larger.’ I believe it is the identical from a Superbike standpoint… it is slightly extra forgiving.”
“I am proud of my choice.”
Dixon admitted he was emotional after racing from seventeenth to seventh in his last Moto2 race. However he left the paddock feeling happy with what he had achieved this season.
“I used to be clearly unhappy after the race. I am an emotional individual anyway, particularly once I see individuals crying, so it does not take lengthy for me to get upset! However I am okay now.
“We celebrated with the gamers. Nobody noticed the trouble. Regardless that the workforce is within the first yr of Boscoscuro, we defeated the manufacturing unit workforce and reached the highest of Boscoscuro within the championship.”
“So we did not get to the place we needed to be, however we did a extremely good job when it comes to the bikes that have been beneath us.
“Clearly it is bittersweet. I need to keep right here, however like I mentioned, I am proud of the choice I made.”
“I will do one of the best job I can at World Superbike.”
