JAKE DIXON GETS DREAM HOME MOTO2 WIN IN BRITISH GRAND PRIX
The Triumph powered Moto2 grid returned to action after the summer break at Triumph’s home Grand Prix of Silverstone.
Aron Canet was the firm favourite after breaking the all-time lap record numerous times and topping all three practice sessions on Friday and Saturday in sunny Silverstone but it was Ai Ogura who took top honours in qualifying to start from pole. Canet was second and rookie Diogo Moreira qualified in third for his first front row start in Moto2.
The Japanese title contender got a great start as did Celestino Vietti who shot from fourth to second with Aron Canet in third and home hero Jake Dixon in fourth. Championship leader, Sergio Garcia, had a difficult weekend qualifying back in 16th and it got worse as he was punted off track at the start dropping him back to 24th.
It wasn’t long before Canet passed Ogura to take the race lead and Dixon picked off Vietti and Ogura to chase him down, determined not to let his dream of winning his home Grand Prix disappear from view. Joe Roberts had qualified ninth and started picking his way through the field trying to capitalise on Garcia’s misfortunes. He engaged in a brilliant battle for third with Ogura and Moreira but it wasn’t to be for any of this trio as the American and Brazilian riders both crashed out of the race and Ogura started to go backwards ultimately crossing the line in 14th.
Back at the front Canet and Dixon had pulled away from the rest of the field but the final podium position was still anyones with Albert Arenas, Manuel Gonzalez, Darryn Binder, Sergio Garcia, Celestino Vietti and Alonso Lopez all in the hunt.
The battle of Britain went down to the last lap as Dixon overtook Canet to take the lead as the home crowd erupted in cheers. He crossed the line in front of the Spaniard and became the first Brit to win a home Grand Prix since Danny Kent in 2015 and only the fourth British rider ever to do so.
The battle for third also went down to the wire and it was Vietti who came out on top ahead of Garcia who had an incredible come-back ride to finish fourth with Gonzalez in fifth and Binder in sixth for his best result of the year.
The Moto2 field returns in two weeks with the Grand Prix of Austria, 16-18 August.
Triumph Triple Trophy
Triumph and MotoGP announced a new format for the Triumph Triple Trophy for 2024, where the winner will take home a Street Triple 765 RS prize bike at the end of the season.
This year, a judging panel picks a short list of three standout riders which will be published on MotoGP’s Instagram stories. Fans can then vote for their favourite.
The points awarded are in reference to Triumph’s 765cc engine:
7 points for the rider with most fan votes
6 points for the rider with second most fan votes
5 points for the rider with third most fan votes
This week the shortlist is:
1. Jake Dixon for his dream home win in front of the delighted home fans,
2. Sergio Garcia for an incredible come back from 24th at one point, to finish fourth, extending his championship lead in the process.
3. Darryn Binder after he qualified 18th but got himself into 4th and was battling for the podium for a while. He ultimately finished 6th, his best ride of the season and his equal career best Moto2 result.
Look out for the Instagram stories on MotoGP’s official Instagram account @motogp to vote for your favourite.
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