Jake Dixon will launch from the second row of a Moto2 race for the first time ever at today’s Catalunya GP, after a magnificent qualifying performance saw the Petronas rider finish fifth in Barcelona this afternoon.

A consistently strong start to the morning’s FP3 saw Dixon setting top-ten pace in the first half of the session before yellow flags, unfortunately, hampered his final time-attack forcing the Brit to end the 40-minute practice in 17th, with a best time of 1’44.340 and missing out on automatic Q2 promotion.

Undeterred, the 23-year-old got straight to business in the opening qualifying session, setting the second fastest lap of the session to easily advance into Q2 and then capitalising on his track-experience and confidence to further improve his day with a career-best qualifying finish in the class, claiming fifth at the flag with a 1’43.704 time, set on his fourth lap.

The number 96 will make his first-ever second row start in Moto2 for Sunday’s 22-lap race which gets underway at a slightly later than normal time of 12:20BST.

“I’m really happy with how today has gone and we’re working in a good way. It’s my second time at the track, and the first time on a Kalex, so I definitely can’t be unhappy with today’s result,” said Dixon.

“In some aspects it’s been difficult today but in other aspects it’s been really good. I’m happy with the work that the team has been doing and what I’m doing on the bike. I feel good on the bike; I feel like I can have a good race, but there is going to be an aspect of tyre management tomorrow. I actually prefer it like this because we’ll see the difference between the riders who spin the tyre and the riders who save the tyre, it could be quite interesting.

“Hopefully we can have a good race tomorrow and go into the week’s break on a high.”