MX2 - Next Year

The 2019 MX2 World Championship is looking like it might have some interesting stories. Jorge Prado will be defending the championship he won as a 17-year-old, and while a handful of leading MX2 riders won’t be in the class next year, there is enough talent to make his job a difficult one.

Prado knows that defending his MX2 championship won’t be easy but taking the approach of just enjoying his racing might take some of the pressure off. Also starting his second full season as a professional should make a big difference for his confidence.

“2018 was my first year being a professional racer,” Prado said. “I could train better and also, I could get some rest. The previous years I was not professional, and that has been a big change. This last season and being 100% professional meant I could train more.”

As for trying to win more GP’s or titles than anyone else, Prado isn’t looking at breaking records, but just having fun at the races.

“I don’t look at records. I just want to ride and that is what I like, if I get some titles, that is great, because I work for that. I try to enjoy it every time I get on the bike, doesn’t matter if its racing or training and if you enjoy it you ride better and its easier and you ride more comfortable. If you are just thinking about having fun there is no pressure. That is true for sure.”

Australian rider Jed Beaton will go into the 2019 season with a lot of confidence. Despite a big injury this year, when he broke both his ankles, the new Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing rider knows that having a factory bike will change a lot, but still he isn’t getting ahead of himself

“I have my own personal goals,” Beaton said. “The goal now is to be really solid, always in the mix. This year I was sometimes in the mix and then I would get a shit start and not be in the mix and I couldn’t catch up to the lead group. If I got a good start, I could stay with them and some races Jorge was faster than everyone. My goal is to be solid and build on the podiums, that is a goal of mine, to be on the podiums several times throughout the year.

Henry Jacobi from Germany moved into the ride Beaton vacated, with the F&H Kawasaki Racing team. For Jacobi it is also an upgrade in teams, and he thinks he will be at the front once again, just like he was often in 2018.

“I think I will be racing with the same guys,” Jacobi said. “I think it will be like Olsen, Prado, I think the KTM factory have somebody coming up and Jed (Beaton), so there are many guys, the top five will be much the same. Also the Revo Husqvarna guys, Ostlund, there are many in the top ten that will be there in the top five on a good day.”

No doubt many names will appear on the MX2 podium in 2019, from these three, but also names like Thomas Kjer Olsen, Calvin Vlaanderen, and Ben Watson. Whatever happens next year, expect the unexpected.