Jake Dixon (Honda) calls for more Superbike races and fewer tests

Jake Dixon’s move from Moto2 to the Superbike World Championship, joining the Honda Racing Corporation works team, has not yet proved to be a stroke of luck. The Englishman crashed during the Phillip Island test and sustained a long-term hand injury. It was not until Aragon – the sixth round of the season – that the 30-year-old made his debut, though he sat out the Sunday races due to pain.

Dixon contested his first full race weekend at Donington Park (the eighth round), but finishes of 18th, 17th and 17th were not enough to secure his first World Championship points.

Jake Dixon: Little Superbike experience, but a desire for more races

Although Dixon has so far gained little experience of the demands of a Superbike weekend featuring two main races and a sprint race, the family man is calling for an expansion of the calendar. If necessary, test sessions should be sacrificed to make way for this.

“In my opinion, there should be more rounds – more races overseas would be better, but simply more races overall,” said Dixon during his home race at Donington. “Firstly, I believe this would help you get into a better rhythm. Secondly, I think this would limit test sessions somewhat and allow us to race more, which I believe is better. Thirdly, I think it makes more sense for us to venture into other countries such as Thailand or Japan – countries where there is a great enthusiasm for motorbikes.”

In calling for more overseas races, the Honda rider is preaching to the converted: for years, manufacturers have been wanting the Superbike World Championship to have a greater presence in Asia or the US. In 2027, there could be a second race weekend outside Europe, in addition to Australia.