Jake Dixon Dominated Moto2 in The Grand Prix of Aragon, Winning from Pole
The Triumph-powered Moto2 field returned to Motorland Aragon for the first time since 2022 and Alonso Lopez topped the first three sessions in his home GP and is the new all-time lap record holder with a 1m 50.989. However, it was British rider Jake Dixon who took his first pole position of the season ahead of Brazilian rookie Diogo Moreira and Aron Canet in third. Lopez would line up on the second row in sixth behind Deniz Oncu and Tony Arbolino.
Dixon got a great start to Sunday’s race with Arbolino flying from fifth to second ahead of Moreira and Oncu. Canet got a bad start and contact with Manuel Gonzalez sent him off track. He rejoined only to crash out on the first lap.
Fermin Aldeguer got a great start from 11th on the grid to run in fifth where he engaged in battle with Turkish rookie Oncu, then passed Moreira and Arbolino into second but the Italian charged back in front. Arbolino then passed Dixon for the lead but the Brit had the bit between his teeth and it wasn’t long before he hit the front again.
The battle for third between Moreira, Oncu and Aldeguer ended in tears for the #54 when an ambitious move on Oncu saw him crash out the race for yet another blow to his title hopes. This drama allowed Dixon and Arbolino to pull away at the front as Lopez joined the battle at the sharp end, passing the two rookies, Oncu and Moreira, into third. Oncu returned the favour getting back ahead of Lopez.
Just behind this group, there was contact between Joe Roberts and Celestino Vietti. Roberts was handed a Long Lap Penalty for the move which saw him drop back three places into a battle with his teammate, Marcos Ramirez, which ended in a last lap crash, denting the American rider’s title challenge.
For the teammates sitting first and second in the Championship, Sergio Garcia and Ai Ogura, it was a difficult weekend. Garcia qualified right at the back of the grid, was given a Long Lap Penalty for exceeding track limits and he ended up pulling in, retiring from the race. Ogura suffered a broken hand in Austria but rode through pain from 16th on the grid to finish 8th.
Back at the front, Dixon crossed the line to take his second win in three races and fourth consecutive podium ahead of Arbolino who scored his first podium of the year. Oncu rounded out the podium places for his first Moto2 podium from Lopez in fourth and Gonzalez in fifth.
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’s shortlist is:
Deniz Oncu for a solid race and his first Moto2 podium.
Jake Dixon for his first pole of the year and a flawless ride to win.
Tony Arbolino for a great race from fifth to second, taking the fight to Dixon for his first podium this year.
