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World Superbike move is ‘perfect’ for Jake Dixon, claims Neil Hodgson, says ‘ageist’ MotoGP teams have missed out
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Published 15/08/2025 at 11:16 GMT+1
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Neil Hodgson believes that MotoGP teams are failing to secure the best talent by focusing on riders who are just out of their teens. The TNT Sports pundit made the observation amid speculation that Moto2 rider Jake Dixon will move to a World Superbike team after the season ends with his current Moto2 team Elf Marc VDS Racing Team. However, he sees some benefits for Dixon in the Superbike format.
'He was just unlucky' - Hodgson laments Dixon failing to land MotoGP switch ahead of Superbike move
Video credit: TNT Sports
TNT Sports pundit Neil Hodgson believes MotoGP teams have made a "mistake" in letting Jake Dixon move to World Superbikes.
Dixon is widely expected to move on from Moto2 team Elf Marc VDS Racing Team with a switch to the production motorbike competition at the end of the current season.
The 29-year-old has at times been linked with a move up to MotoGP but never made the leap, and speaking on TNT Sports, Hodgson lamented the British rider missing out on a contract.
He said: "He's been so close, as well. A couple of years ago, it looked like he was going to get a MotoGP opportunity. He was just unlucky really, it didn't come at that key moment in his career."
Hodgson suggested that MotoGP teams are too intently focused on getting riders in their early 20s, explaining: "Unfortunately, we know how the MotoGP teams are. They're really ageist. Once you get over 28 years old, they stop looking, they just do.
"I think that's a mistake, but they're always looking at the young 21, 22-year-olds coming through the Moto2 class."
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Hodgson, however, believes that a move to a different competition will ultimately suit Dixon given his personal life.
He believes that World Superbikes gives much more spare time to its riders, given the 12 rounds, compared to the 22 in MotoGP. That reduced calendar may suit Dixon with his family obligations.
"I think he'll enjoy it," he said. "You look at the World Superbike calendar that just came out, it's such an easy championship to race in.
"Just 12 rounds, it's a really easy championship. You're a part-time motorcycle racer.
"That is the truth. You race in Grand Prix and there are 22 rounds and testing. You're a full-time motorcycle racer. As a 30-year-old - as Jake will be - with a young family, it's perfect."
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