Jake Dixon saw the potential of another victory disappear in the Portuguese dust on Sunday after a chaotic Moto2 race.

Having initially lined up on the front row, in third, the Autosolar GasGas Aspar rider was gifted a pole start for a seven lap sprint after a rain shower decimated the initial intermediate class action at Portimao. Dixon had managed to avoid the turn two chaos and return safely to pitlane after red flags came out on lap nine of the afternoon race. The majority of front runners left in the gravel trap at turn three after the heavens opened unexpectedly.

Just 17 riders lined up for the restart with the 26-year-old in charge as the lights went out but seven corners later, his race was over.
 
“Disappointing end to the weekend,” Dixon admitted. “I got a good start for the restart and my plan was to break away from the group because I knew I had the pace to do it.

“Unfortunately, I crashed into turn seven. I was too impatient with a cold tyre.

“I want to apologise to the team because again I made an error and this is not helping me for the championship. I didn’t only throw away a win but also a podium. We’ll try and regroup now for Jerez.”