Five minutes with Jorge Prado
He has only just turned 18, yet MX2 world champion Jorge Prado already talks like an experienced hand. This year, the Spanish super talent will be looking for KTM's third double world title since the MX2 class was launched in 2004. Adam Wheeler caught up with him for MXMag.
Prado's great potential was already noticed in the youth ranks, but it is clear that the Red Bull KTM rider also learns very quickly. Since last year, Jorge has been working under the mentorship of Tony Cairoli and Claudio De Carli.
Although he already showed great regularity in 2018 - 12 GP victories, 5 podiums - Prado himself shows that there is still room for improvement. “I am working hard to improve in every area. That's part of my job. I can become even faster and stronger, especially physically. In addition, it comes down to details. Last year I made a lot of mistakes.”
Prado is now just old enough to vote and drive his own car. However, the young Spaniard carries high expectations from KTM, which has dominated the MX2 category for quite some time. “KTM always looks at every possible way to make a better bike. Last year we were already at a very high level. So it will be difficult to improve, but both the team and the factory are working very hard,” says Jorge. “I actually used the same suspension last season. The power of the engine was certainly good, but there are small details that could have been improved.
Jorge Prado won his world title in the final round of the 2018 world championship in Imola. He is the first to admit that the week after the Italian final and around the MX of Nations was a madhouse. But with 2019 approaching, the distractions were put aside to return to the order of the day.
The super talent from Galicia will not compete this year with the #1 on his number plate. The reason why is remarkable: Jorge believes that he does not deserve that honor. “I'm just going to stick with #61 because I just don't think I fully deserve it yet,” he says disarmingly. “Number one is only reserved for the very best and that's not me yet. Such a number plate is only for the absolute elite, next level. If I ever get the chance in MXGP I will change my mind! I don't have official merchandising yet, so it's not a problem to never take another one, but so many people already know it as the '61'.”
Prado has started his season with a flying start. He won the three MX2 races of the Internazionali d'Italia in a dominant manner. And just as telling, in the combined Superfinals, Prado finished third behind teammate Tony Cairoli and Tim Gajser…
Tekst: Adam Wheeler & Tom Jacobs
Photos: shotbyBavo, S. Taglioni
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