Dixon Dominates Rainy COTA, Takes Moto2 Championship Lead

Jake Dixon (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) proved utterly untouchable at the Red Bull Grand Prix of The Americas, converting his Friday pace and Saturday pole into a dominant Sunday victory. The Brit mastered the treacherous wet conditions at Circuit of The Americas, beating Tony Arbolino (BLUCRU Pramac Yamaha Moto2) by a comfortable 4.1-second margin. Alonso Lopez (Team HDR Heidrun) completed the podium in third, while a risky slick tire gamble by former championship leader Manuel Gonzalez (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP) saw him leave Austin with zero points.

Just as the Moto3 race concluded, a light rain began to fall over COTA, adding an unpredictable element to the Moto2 grid. While many riders, including Dixon, opted for Pirelli’s wet tires, championship leader Gonzalez and a few others gambled on slicks – a decision that quickly backfired. By Lap 8, Dixon was already lapping Gonzalez, whose slick-shod machine struggled for grip.

With five laps remaining, Dixon had extended his lead to six seconds over Arbolino. The gap fluctuated slightly in the closing laps, but Dixon maintained a comfortable advantage. The drama continued behind him as Celestino Vietti (Team HDR Heidrun), chasing teammate Lopez for the final podium spot, crashed twice in quick succession on the penultimate lap, ending his hopes of points.

Dixon, however, remained flawless, delivering a masterclass in mixed-conditions riding to secure his second consecutive victory and, with it, the Moto2 Championship lead. Arbolino and Lopez both celebrated their first podium finishes of the season.

Aron Canet (Fantic Racing LINO SONEGO) secured valuable points in fourth, while Izan Guevara (BLUCRU Pramac Yamaha Moto2) showcased an incredible charge from 26th on the grid to finish fifth. Rookie Ivan Ortola (QJMOTOR – FRINSA – MSI) impressed with his best Moto2 result in sixth, followed by a resilient Barry Baltus (Fantic Racing LINO SENOGO), Daniel Holgado (CFMOTO Power Electronics Aspar Team), Mario Aji (Idemitsu Honda Team Asia), and Collin Veijer (Red Bull KTM Ajo) rounding out the top ten.