In Moto2™ , Jake Dixon is out to prove he is very much back and ready to repeat his Silverstone success of 2022 , while Scott Ogden is eager to light up this year ’ s Moto3™ race in a way that former World Champion Danny Kent did back in 2015 .
The midseason spell has seen Dixon back up where he wants to be . The winner of two Grand Prix in 2023 was fully expecting to fight for this year ’ s Moto2™ title , with eyes on a move to MotoGP™ next season . Yet a decision to switch to WP suspension from Ohlins , as well as the class ’ change to Pirelli tyres , a preseason affected by inclement weather , and an enormous high-side in practice at Round 1 , which left him with a concussion , meant the Englishman ’ s early season did not go to plan .
“ Unfortunately , we didn ’ t get a lot of dry running in the Portugal ( preseason test ),” he said . “ It ’ s been difficult adapting to WP . When you ’ re preparing to fight for a championship , it ’ s frustrating .”
“ The biggest difference this year isn ’ t even the tyres , but the WP suspension . It ’ s new for them so every track we go to we ’ re starting from scratch . The massive crash in Qatar really put us on the backfoot . I ’ ve been struggling mentally to deal with this . I felt I was the man to take the championship this year . Then it went completely Pete Tong . Hopefully the tide has changed .”
But one thing which has worked in Dixon ’ s favour during the difficult moments is a newfound calmness . One to get frustrated in previous years , the 28-year old believes a more “ zen ” approach is helping through times when his machine hasn ’ t been competitive .
“ Now , I ’ m trying to work on myself , keeping calmer ,” he said . “ I ’ m not getting as frustrated in the box . I ’ m annoyed , but I don ’ t lose my s ** t . Last year I ’ d have done that . I keep telling myself , just keep more Zen and giving them as much data as I can .”
Dixon ended the first half of the season with a fourth in the Netherlands and a third in Germany , which has lifted him to tenth in the championship . “ Our bike doesn ’ t turn with the WP suspension on corner entry . On one lap we ’ re really losing out there but I can make it work in the race . But a few improvements and I can take the fight to the Boscoscuro chassis ,” he said , knowing his home race is coming at a good time .
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