Honda needs Jake Dixon in MotoGP: straight from EICMA to Qatar

At the age of 29, and with so many young talents in the GP paddock, Jake Dixon knew he wouldn’t be able to secure a place with a MotoGP team for 2026. At the same time, however, the Englishman was already one of the older riders in Moto2, which is why Dixon set his sights on a move to the World Superbike Championship. The offer from Honda Racing Corporation came at exactly the right time for the cheerful rider from Dover.

After a difficult rookie season marred by crashes and injuries, Dixon is looking forward to the coming season with confidence. This is because Honda is launching a new CBR1000RR-R for 2027, which incorporates the Englishman’s suggestions. And something he hadn’t expected at all: Honda needs him as a replacement for factory rider Joan Mir in MotoGP. Immediately after the presentation of the new Fireblade at the EICMA motorbike show, Dixon set off for Qatar.

“First of all, I’d like to thank Honda for this opportunity. Getting a call asking if I’d like to ride one of these motorbikes is always something very special, and I’m really looking forward to it. I think every rider dreams of riding for the Honda factory team in MotoGP from the time they’re a child,” said the 30-year-old enthusiastically. “It’s been a while since I last rode a MotoGP bike, so we need to take it easy this weekend and take it step by step. I wish Joan all the best and hope to see him back on the bike soon. It hasn’t been an easy year for me either, so I can empathise with his situation very well. Let’s make the most of this weekend.”

Incidentally, this isn’t Dixon’s first appearance in MotoGP! In 2021, the 30-year-old rode a Yamaha M1 for the Petronas team at the Silverstone and Aragón rounds following Maverick Viñales’ suspension!

Also on the grid in Qatar: Ducati factory rider Iker Lecuona, who will once again stand in for the injured Fermin Aldeguer in the Gresini team.

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