Kent’s Jake Dixon made a welcome return to form just missing out on a Moto2 podium at the Cathedral of Speed at the weekend.

Assen played host to the latest round for the season and it was here that Dixon returned to form in the race ok Sunday afternoon.

He made up seven places from his starting spot and was just 0.5s from taking third place and a spot on the rostrum. 

Starting from 11th, Jake got away brilliantly and was aggressive from the off as he gained two places to sit ninth after lap one, at the back of a large group challenging for that third position.

The rider from Dover was then recovering places at a rapid rate. In the final laps Jake was the fastest rider on track and after climbing to fourth on lap 18, he came close to reeling Manuel Gonzalez in for third, but just missed out.

This result sees Jake jump up once place in the championship to fourth with 98 points.

Speaking after the race a delighted Dixon, said: “That was a good race! Finally, I feel we’re back to somewhere we should be after the last races. We made some changes this week and I’m super happy they’ve worked. 

“Deep down I always knew it wasn’t me. But when you try to remedy that thing which you thought was holding you back, and it works, you feel justified. It’s so nice to be back at the front. Hopefully we can keep building from here. We’ve got the Brno test now and we’ll keep working in this way. I was so close to the podium.

“I’m just feeling happy after a really rough time to come back, be competitive and finish fourth – and only two seconds from the win. Also, coming back from eleventh on the grid, this was a good result. I want to say a massive thanks to the team. And I can’t wait for Brno now and I the next race at the Sachsenring!”