Xavi Vierge secures sixth at the #SpanishGP, Jake Dixon ruled out of race after Warm Up crash

PETRONAS Sprinta Racing’s Xavi Vierge became the sole Moto2 flag bearer in the Jerez race for the Malaysian squad, after team-mate Jake Dixon was ruled out of the race following a crash in Warm Up. Vierge finished the SpanishGP with a good points haul after crossing the line sixth.

The race got off to a good start for Vierge, who was able to maintain his sixth position off the line, before moving into fifth by the end of the opening lap. The Spaniard did slip back by one place on the second loop round the Jerez circuit, but valiantly defended his sixth place throughout the 23 laps, despite intense pressure from the chasing rider. Although Xavi was unable to close the gap to those ahead, his sixth place finish earned him valuable points and saw him move up to eighth in the championship standing with 26 points.

Unfortunately team-mate Dixon’s SpanishGP came to an early end, due a crash in morning Warm Up. After a mid-session delay where the red flag was waved following another rider’s incident, the Brit added his name to the list of crashers after going down in Turn 7. Unfortunately Jake was declared unfit to race by doctors, due to concussion, and underwent further checks at the Jerez hospital. Dixon feels well but will remain in hospital for observation, as a precaution.

The Moto2 pair will now have a short break, before action resumes at Le Mans for the Grand Prix de France (14-16 May).

Xavi Vierge
6th (+12.181)

I think it was a solid weekend overall, ending with a good race. For the first part of it I didn’t feel like I could utilise the extra grip that new tyres give, despite this I still feel like we have taken another step forward. We are able to have really consistent lap times; we just need something small to help us gain the extra grip that we are missing, which would help us push that bit more. We are very close though and will work hard to try to find what we need to go even better in Le Mans. It is a shame that Jake crashed this morning and I hope he gets well soon.