Jake Dixon’s teammate dedicated victory in Qatar to the Dover rider after a horrifying crash put him in hospital.

Dixon lost control of his Aspar Kalex during Saturday’s final practice session for the season-opening round of the Moto2 Championship and was set to remain in Qatar for further medical checks, despite his release from hospital on Sunday.

Aspar stablemate David Alonso had warm words for Dixon following his win in the Moto3 class.

“This victory is for Jake Dixon," Alonso said in his post-race interview. "We don't have him running in today's race, because he suffered a big crash yesterday.

"Come on mate, we'll do it. Keep pushing and we'll wait for you."

Updating fans on X, Dixon admitted it was a blow to miss the opening round.

"I’m ok, it’s been a tough couple days but I’m ok," he posted.

"It hurt not to be on the grid for the first race of the season, but my health comes first.

"I will remain a few days in Qatar as I need some more medical checks. I want to thank the circuit, the hospital and the championship doctors and of course my team."

Dixon, twice a winner in Moto2 last season, has already been making headlines off the track thanks to the new TNT Sports series The Jake Dixon Diaries, which goes behind the scenes of the rider’s 2023 campaign.

His crash happened at Turn 13, when he was thrown over the handlebars after a slide and landed heavily, causing a red flag.

Aspar sports director Nico Terol said: “The important thing today is that Jake Dixon is ok after the crash.

“We want to thank the circuit and the championship’s medical teams for how they have been always taking care of him.”

The next round of the championship is in Portugal on March 24.