An early crash put paid to Dover racer Jake Dixon’s hopes of a flying start to his belated 2024 Moto2 season.

Aspar Team rider Dixon, who missed the first two races of the campaign, finally got his bid under way at the Grand Prix of the Americas in Austin, but could only manage 23rd.

"It is good to be back after such a long time,” Dixon said after qualifying in 14th place, but he admitted he was not yet fully up to speed after his heavy practice crash in the opening round of the season in Qatar.

“Even though it has been already five weeks, I am still recovering, and I am still not feeling 100%,” he added.

“I need to take it one day by day, session by session."

Dixon made a strong start to Sunday’s race, making up 10 places on the first lap. However, disaster struck while fighting with the front group and although he maintained a similar pace to the podium riders once back on track, his hopes of a podium were dashed.

"I have had a really good start, from 14th to fourth, but unfortunately I crashed,” he said.

“I have been in the front group and the pace has been good, I have had a good feeling. It is a bit frustrating because I had the pace to be on the podium."

The next race of the season is at Jerez in Spain on April 28.