Next British MotoGP rider still “years away”, say Neil…

Ahead of the British GP at Silverstone, the question over when we will next see a British rider on the MotoGP grid has risen once again. But in the opinion of TNT MotoGP pundits Neil Hodgson and Michael Laverty, this is something that could still be "years" away as British racing is in a “difficult period."

The only British rider currently racing in a GP series higher than Moto3 is Jake Dixon, who competes in Moto2. Ahead of the British GP, he sits third in the standings with Arón Canet in second and Manuel Gonzalez leading the pack.

However, Hodgson and Laverty believe that Dixon, who is now 29, may have missed the window of opportunity to get into MotoGP. Teams in the series will instead be looking for younger talents rising through the ranks, the pair added.

“It was so unlucky, because Jake’s level now after all these years is so high, and he could cut it right now in MotoGP," Hodgson said.

“He’s got the ability, he’s got the skill set and desire, he’s got everything — except his age.

“It’s so weird to say it because Jake’s only 29, but the way the MotoGP paddock [works], all those factory teams, they’re always looking for the young talent coming up, and Jake’s one of the oldest, if not the oldest rider in Moto2.

“So they’re like, ‘he’s been in Moto2 for seven years. Is he good enough to be in MotoGP? Probably not.’

Jake Dixon, ELF Marc VDS Racing Team (Photo by: Mirco Lazzari GP - Getty Images)

“I think he is. I know he is, in fact. But I just can’t see a manufacturer touching him.”

Laverty agreed, saying: “I think he’s in his prime really.

“He’s had seven years in Moto2 now. He’s got a chance at the title this year, but even if he wins the title, his best offer may be a Moto2 seat again.

“Problem is, the factories in Japan and Italy, they’re looking for the next Pedro Acosta, they’re looking for David Alonso, Daniel Holgado, those are who the factories will be looking at. Unfortunately, not Jake Dixon.

“We’ve tried to beat the drum for a few years.

“Hindsight’s twenty-twenty, but if things had gone better two years ago, maybe the doors would have opened, but it just didn’t.

“The level he’s at now, for sure, if it had been two years ago, I think he would have had time on side. But you need the cards to fall in your favour politically, factory-wise, a rider gets injured, whatever happens, and those doors open up.”

Who’s up next?

Eddie O'Shea, FleetSafe Honda - MLav Racing (Photo by: Gold and Goose)

Laverty made an effort to increase the number of young British riders with the introduction of his team MLav Racing, which competes in Moto3, JuniorGP, and the British Talent Cup.

Eighteen-year-old rider Eddie O'Shea races for Laverty’s team in Moto3, with fellow Brit, 21-year-old Scott Ogden, also previously competing for MLav Racing - now he rides for CIP Green Power.

But Laverty and Hodgson still struggle to see a British rider making it to the top flight within the next five years.

Laverty said: “It’s going to take, after Jake, five years - we’ll be lucky if we get a rider in MotoGP within five years. It’s going to be a process.”

Hodgson agreed, saying: “The next good riders [are] maybe five, six years away. So, difficult period for British racing.”