Jake Dixon lacked the pace to fight for his third win of the Moto2 season in Spain on Sunday.

The Dover rider, victorious in Argentina and the USA already this year, could only finish ninth in Jerez for Elf Marc VDS Racing, matching his qualifying display on a weekend where the frontrunners proved out of reach.

Dixon made up two places at lights out but dropped down to 11th spot by lap four. He recovered two of those before the chequered flag and sits third in the standings, 20 points off leader Manuel Gonzalez, who won the race for Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP.

“It was a difficult day to say the least,” Dixon admitted. “We did the best we could possibly do.

“I didn’t stop pushing or give up until the end. I even had a moment on the second-to-last lap, when I ran wide at the end of the back straight like in practice. Luckily, I didn’t run off and into the gravel and just kept giving everything until the last lap.

“I want to say a massive thank-you to the team because they never stopped trying to fix the problems I’ve been having this weekend. We did the best we could do and I already can’t wait for the next one!”

Dixon’s teammate, Filip Salac, made it a top-10 double for the squad in 10th place. The season continues at Le Mans on May 9-11.