
BSB: Dixon reignites title fight with Oulton Park double
Jake Dixon’s superb double win at Oulton Park has slashed Leon Haslam’s healthy looking lead at the front of the title race by 14 points, with the RAF Regular and Reserves Kawasaki rider keeping the pressure right on the ‘Pocket Rocket’ as the BSB circus heads to Assen next week.
It was a fantastic win in race one by Dixon, who got his was past MotoRapido Ducati’s Tommy Bridewell, who in turn was a welcome returnee to the forefront of the British Superbike grid. Dixon cruised home from then on in and despite Bridewell’s best efforts in the closing stages, it would be Dixon who took victory in appallingly wet weather.
Race two was much of the same for Dixon, who made sure that he was the rider to beat as he powered into the lead from the get-go. The Dover rider steamed ahead of the opposition and despite Leon Haslam closing him down in the latter stages and setting the stage up for an almighty attack on the final lap, Dixon was yet again the winner.
With the difference in the championship now just 31, a good round for Dixon at Assen and the championship is suddenly looking more likely. The momentum pendulum has been swinging between the Dixon and Haslam all year and it looks certain to carry out abroad. Last year saw Haslam take a win and a 3rd place at Assen whilst Dixon was 8th and 7th in the races.
In 2018, Dixon has achieved just three wins compared to Haslam’s stunning 12, whilst there’s only been three other winners in Josh Brookes, Brad Ray and Shane Byrne. 10 other riders have achieved podiums, such as; Glenn Irwin, Peter Hickman, Danny Buchan, Jason O’Halloran, Tarran Mackenzie, Michael Laverty, Tommy Bridewell, James Ellison and Dan Linfoot. The highest placed rider in the championship with no podium is Iddon, on the Tyco BMW in 10th.