Turning down ‘fantastic MotoGP opportunity wouldn’t look good’ - Dixon

Following a difficult Moto2 season to date, Jake Dixon's mindset is squarely focused on taking advantage of his debut MotoGP appearance at Silverstone this weekend.

The British rider will be riding alongside Valentino Rossi after being brought in to replace Cal Crutchlow, who in turn replaces the outgoing Maverick Vinales at Monster Energy Yamaha. 

Dixon’s premier class debut will be in front of a full capacity crowd, and is one he believes will suit him based on Yamaha’s track record around the Silverstone layout. 

"It’s obviously fantastic, and obviously thanks to Petronas for giving me this opportunity to ride the MotoGP bike and to do it at home is pretty special," added Dixon.  

"If anyone could do their debut I think they would be doing it at home, so yeah, I can’t wait and it’s going to be great as we’re going to have a full house in front of the British crowd. 

"The Silverstone circuit seems to suit the Yamaha in the past. It’s going to be a massive learning curve, but I’m ready to take it on and see what we can do."

Dixon’s elevation to the premier class for this weekend comes in a year that’s seen him take just one top ten finish - came at the opening round in Qatar. 

However, the former BSB rider isn’t getting caught up in ‘people's opinions’, instead looking at the positives from Austria which seemed to highlight an improvement in pace - the type of pace that could have made for a top five challenge had he remained in Moto2 again this weekend.

Dixon said: "People are always going to have their opinions on whether it’s right or wrong and when is it a right time. 

"I think personally it’s been a difficult season for me so far with the Moto2, but things have changed and I’ve started to come back to form and I think realistically if we were speaking Moto2 terms, I could have done a really good job and potentially fought within the top five. 

"But obviously, if the opportunity comes around you’re never going turn down a MotoGP ride. It wouldn’t be a great thing, it wouldn’t look good. 

"I have a lot of motivation, I’ve ridden a lot of big bikes before even though a MotoGP bike is completely different to what I have ridden. I’m ready to experience some power again."