Next British MotoGP Star ‘Years Away,’ Warn Neil Hodgson & Laverty

As British MotoGP fans look ahead to the Silverstone round, one question is hard to escape—when will the next British rider step up to MotoGP? TNT MotoGP commentators Neil Hodgson and Michael Laverty have shared their view that the wait could last several more years, as British road racing faces a tough moment.

Jake Dixon, currently the highest-ranking Brit competing above Moto3, is in his seventh season in Moto2. As of now, Dixon sits third in the Moto2 standings, trailing only Arón Canet and series leader Manuel Gonzalez.

Although Dixon, racing for the ELF Marc VDS Racing Team and aged 29, displays clear ability and drive, both Hodgson and Laverty believe factors beyond talent may be holding him back from a MotoGP seat. Hodgson noted that Dixon’s current level matches what’s required for MotoGP, emphasizing his impressive skillset and determination.

But the reality for riders like Dixon is that MotoGP factory teams increasingly focus on younger prospects who can be developed over time. With seven seasons already in Moto2, teams see Dixon’s age as a negative, even though 29 is not considered old in most sports.

Hodgson believes that, despite Dixon’s readiness for the premier class, factory outfits are looking past him in search of young stars coming through the ranks. Michael Laverty agreed with these sentiments.

In his opinion, Dixon’s prime years may have come at a difficult time for British racing. Even a Moto2 championship win might not open doors to MotoGP, as teams set their sights on upcoming talents such as Pedro Acosta, David Alonso, and Daniel Holgado.

Laverty noted that sometimes luck and timing play as big a part as speed, and if events had gone differently two years ago, Dixon might have had a better chance to progress. Now, he thinks the pathway is even more complicated, and Dixon could be limited to staying in Moto2, even if he takes the title.

The search for the next British MotoGP contender has seen efforts at the grassroots level. Laverty supports young riders through his MLav Racing team, entered in Moto3 and the JuniorGP series.

Notable names include Eddie O’Shea, who is 18 years old and currently competes in Moto3, and Scott Ogden, 21, who has moved from MLav Racing to CIP Green Power in the same class. Both Laverty and Hodgson stress that despite this development work, a British presence in MotoGP remains unlikely before 2030.

According to Laverty, the nation faces a wait of about five years or more before the next British MotoGP rider emerges. He refers to the current moment as a process, while Hodgson suggests the next breakthrough is maybe half a decade away.

Rising through the ranks takes time and the right opportunities, especially with international teams scouting young talents from all over Europe and beyond. British motorcycle racing continues to produce capable competitors in junior classes, but the leap to MotoGP demands a combination of top results, youth, and timing that is difficult to align.

As the wait extends, the focus within the UK turns to nurturing fresh talent and giving young riders the best support possible, hoping one will soon match the international pace and seize a coveted MotoGP spot. For now, attention stays on Moto2 results, with Dixon still carrying British hopes, while the next generation hones their craft in Moto3 and junior racing.

The challenge is clear, and the journey to seeing a Union Jack among the MotoGP regulars may take patience, determination, and a bit of luck.