The two days of testing in Qatar carried out by Moto2 delivered a ranking dominated by Petronas rider Xavi Virginie while the second rider of the Malaysian team was fifth. This is Jake Dixon. But beyond this ranking, and in particular this cold top 5, there is a great story of courage and self-sacrifice. Which is not finished yet. Because the Englishman, with his wrist literally in pieces, has come a long way. He is still suffering, but there is no question of him letting go of the handlebars. But let's let him explain his situation himself...
En MotoGP, we await the return of Marc Marquez after a year spent on his couch because of a broken right humerus after a fall and operated on three times. But in Moto2, the miracle of the peloton is already at work. It is Jake Dixon. His fifth place in the combined ranking of the two days of testing completed at Qatar is for the Englishman a victory, an exploit. He says thus: “ It’s good to come back! I missed the last three Grands Prix in 2020, so it's great to be back here, but it was a long and tough winter. Sarah, my partner, had to suffer and it was clear that she endured everything with me! ».
An introduction that requires clarification. And Jake dixon gives: “ It was really emotional for me to ride, after hearing the doctor say, 'You can never ride again, your wrist is in such bad shape.' And that really impacted me. To be who I am now, after only 10 weeks of recovery is incredible. I spent so much time with the wires inside my wrist that I couldn't move it when they were taken out. I want to say a big thank you to my doctor, because he clearly got me this far. I work hard every day, and obviously with my trainer too, to get this strength we need in such a short time. ».
More Jake dixon is still far from the mark… “ It's still very painful, but I hope the next few days won't be so bad. We're going to strain him to a minimum and hopefully we can recover between sessions and see what we can do ».
Jake Dixon: “I can’t tell you how painful it was.”
To make the situation even clearer, Dixon details his injury. And it’s quite impressive: “ I broke three different bones in my wrist, and I had a dislocation, plus one bone was rotated 90 degrees, I tore all the ligaments. I severed my ligament between the scaphoid bone and the bone next to it. The surgeon had to fix all of this? It wasn't just broken, the ligaments were destroyed. I can't tell you how painful it was ».
« When the doctor told me, “Look, it’s not just a five-minute job, it’s going to be a long one. » He said after the surgery that he was really happy with how everything was going. I couldn't feel half of my hand until about a month ago, so I'm really happy and very grateful. There are so many people I can thank, obviously my wife, everyone who got me to where I am now. There was a tear in my eye when I came because it's clearly my job It's what I love to do and I'm really humbled to be here now ».
Dixon credits his wife, Sarah, and the support of his family for getting him back on track so quickly. “ It all depends on the people around you ", declared the pilot of 25 years. “ If you don't have good people, it will make it harder, but I have a great family, and obviously a great wife and great people around me, physicists, trainers, surgeons and everyone who pushed me back to where I am ».
« I was terrified before leaving the plane on Monday because I didn't know if I had done enough and still couldn't get anywhere near the movement I needed. My physio told me it realistically takes six to 12 months to recover from this type of injury, so I'm very happy. I can't fully move yet. I'll keep going and do what I can ».
Dixon don’t forget your team: “ I have a great team, and I don't just mean because I ride for them. They have worked very hard over the last year to give me a bike that fits me. I didn't give them the podium and I hope I can give it to them soon. The work we did has made my life so much easier now because my bike is such a dream to ride! Otherwise, I wouldn't be able to ride at this speed right away. Even if I'm only able to be fast for four or five laps, the motorcycle is a dream. I'm comfortable and confident I just want to keep riding, we're not going to change anything with the bike. It's the first time I've ridden a big bike in five months, and it's great to be back » ends the Englishman on the site Qatar observatory.
Jake dixon is coming out of a tough ordeal, but he is not yet at the top of his form or his abilities. There is still a long way to go, even if the distance already covered, given the difficulties encountered, is already impressive. Motorcycle riders are truly unique beings...
