Jorge Prado might have won his first MXGP World Championship in 2023, but you get the feeling it is just the start for the Spanish rider.
Racing for the GASGAS Factory Team, Prado (pictured here on bike No.1) took the careful route to this year’s title, adding that 450 crown to his two MX2 World Championships.
For Prado, it was a childhood dream to win the toughest series in the world and he is already in legend status with his three World Motocross Championships, he will work hard in the winter to defend his title in 2024.
“Yes,” Prado said. “It is something very, very special, for me it is a dream come true. Since I was a kid, my only dream was to be MXGP World Champion. And I think all of the titles throughout the years were kind of preparation for 2023 when I had to opportunity and possibility because I worked, and the team worked, all in one perfect way.
“So, we had to opportunity to fight for this title and all of the years of preparation helped me to make it happen. When I crossed the finish line and I saw all of my friends, my family, my team, the close people around me, celebrating this title, it meant the world to me because we all know how hard it is to get World Champion.”
Prado had his share of injuries in the first couple of years in the MXGP class, but he also knows that hard work and consistency would see him finally be crowned the fastest man on the planet. Winning GASGAS their first World Motocross Championship is also something he finds very special.
“When you love the sport and love what you do, I think it is the most important thing to do to make it a reality.
“I think the people around me also wake up every day with the dream of becoming MXGP World Champion, so I think that’s why this year we got it done. So, it was super special for me and super special for the team. And having an Italian team and winning in Italy, it was just the perfect place for them as well.
“So, I’m proud that I could make it happen for them there. Also, for the brand, for GASGAS, the first Motocross World title for GASGAS and for Spain, the first ever Spanish guy winning MXGP.
“So, it was just a combination of so many things that made that day super special, and winning made it even better, even sweeter. I am out of words; the feeling is very difficult to describe.”
Now, with a winter ahead of him, Prado will start his preparation and 2024 and no doubt with riders such as Jeffrey Herlings, Tim Gajser, Romain Febvre and Jeremy Seewer also working hard, the Spanish World champion will be doing everything to add MXGP World title number four to his trophy cabinet.
Photo courtesy Juan Pablo Acevedo
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Prado battles with Herlings in 2016:
FINAL 2023 STANDINGS:
MXGP – Grand Prix Race 1 – Top 10 Classification:
1. Jorge Prado (ESP, GAS), 921 points; 2. Romain Febvre (FRA, KAW), 854 p.; 3. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, YAM), 759 p.; 4. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, YAM), 695 p.; 5. Ruben Fernandez (ESP, HON), 654 p.; 6. Calvin Vlaanderen (NED, YAM), 599 p.; 7. Alberto Forato (ITA, KTM), 490 p.; 8. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 456 p.; 9. Valentin Guillod (SUI, HON), 363 p.; 10. Maxime Renaux (FRA, YAM), 314 p.
MX2 – World Championship Top 10 Classification:
1. Andrea Adamo (ITA, KTM), 826 points; 2. Jago Geerts (BEL, YAM), 759 p.; 3. Simon Laengenfelder (GER, GAS), 755 p.; 4. Liam Everts (BEL, KTM), 734 p.; 5. Lucas Coenen (BEL, HUS), 577 p.; 6. Kay de Wolf (NED, HUS), 573 p.; 7. Kevin Horgmo (NOR, KAW), 565 p.; 8. Roan Van De Moosdijk (NED, HUS), 560 p.; 9. Thibault Benistant (FRA, YAM), 533 p.; 10. Rick Elzinga (NED, YAM), 394 p.