Petronas SRT’s Jake Dixon recovered from a poor qualifying and long lap penalty to finish inside the Moto2 points at the Emilia Romagna GP.

Dixon’s qualifying crash amid Saturday’s challenging conditions left them lining up 17th for the 25-lap race, with the Brit dropping just one position after the opening corner chaos settled.

Quick to dispatch his long lap penalty - issued for crashing under yellow flag conditions after his teammate Xavi Vierge fell at the same corner moments before - Dixon rejoined the action in 25th and the fightback on lap four began.

Claiming 17th by the halfway stage, the 25-year-old was inside the points as the chequered flag prepared, crossing the line 13th and 26 seconds behind race-winner Sam Lowes.

“It didn’t help that because of yesterday’s qualifying we started the race so far back,” Dixon explained after the race. “I did have a good start and gained places in the opening two corners, but then was on the outside of Remy [Gardner] in turn three and had to avoid him, then so many people came past me.

“I was then 18th and had to take the long lap penalty. It was super difficult, but once I got into my rhythm I was able to overtake people. I got stuck behind [Thomas] Luthi for too long and lost about five seconds.

“Once I was clear I was able to have the same pace as those in seventh and eighth. We just need to have some luck in qualifying to be on the front two rows and show our true potential. Not happy with the race but happy with the feeling of the bike,” he concluded.