MXGP

AGUEDA (Portugal) 2 May 2024 – Infront Moto Racing is delighted to unveil the Spanish venue of Cózar, as the host for the thrilling final round of the 2024 MXGP series, making it the third Spanish stop of the season. The MXGP of Castilla La Mancha will take place on the 28th and 29th September. 

This event highlights the growing passion in Spain for motocross and provides an exciting new home GP for our defending World Champion and current red plate holder, Jorge Prado.

The MXGP of Castilla La Mancha promises to deliver exhilarating action as it brings the season to a close. Additionally, it will serve as the ultimate showdown for the European support classes; EMX125 Presented by FMF Racing and EMX250.

Riders will face a challenging and diverse track featuring spectacular jumps and tight corners, pushing them to their limits in pursuit of the final podium of 2024. Nestled in the natural surroundings renowned as the land of Don Quixote, the venue offers a picturesque backdrop.

The MXGP of Castilla La Mancha also aims to promote development and forge connections between the sport and the region of Castilla de la Mancha. This project represents a significant stride towards linking the region with the global motocross community for many years to come.

Castilla - La Mancha was declared last December in Toledo as the European Region of Sport for the year 2024. In this context, the association of sports clubs of Tierras del Quixote and the Castilian-Manchegan motorcycle federation have collaborated and worked together to ensure that the region enjoys the best of motocross worldwide.

** 2024 Calendar Updated following a mistake in the additional classes of the MXGP of Flanders 

MOTOCROSS OF EUROPEAN NATIONS (MXoEN)

Further to this announcement, the Motocross of European Nations (MXoEN) that is set to be held at the TCS Racing Park near the Romanian capital Bucharest, will be pushed a week later to the 22nd of September 2024. The MXoEN and WMXoEN come back after 2 years and will be a celebration of many European riders who will race together and in teams to lift the MXoEN and WMXoEN trophies.

YZ bLU cRU FIM EUROPE CUP SuperFinale

2024 has already been another record-breaking year for the Yamaha YZ bLU cRU FIM Europe Cup, with more than 750 riders aged between eight and 16 years signing up to race either a YZ65, a YZ85 or a YZ125 in 25 countries throughout Europe. Every rider is competing for a place on the start gate at the YZ bLU cRU FIM Europe Cup SuperFinale, which again runs alongside the Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations and will take place at Matterley Basin in Great Britain on 4-6 October. For the first time, the YZ bLU cRU FIM Europe Cup SuperFinale will feature a truly international field, with riders from the United States, Canada, Australia, Japan, Indonesia, and Brazil set to take on their European counterparts.

*Bottom Photos Credit: MXGP Castilla La Mancha / Cózar Moto Ranch

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MONACO (Principality of Monaco) 1 May 2024 – After a two-week break, the MXGP Motocross World Championship kicks back into life with the MXGP of Portugal at the stunning Crossódromo Internacional de Águeda in the north-western part of the country. 

With a history stretching back to 1985, when Dutchman Davy Strijbos took the win on a 125cc Honda, the Agueda circuit has seen victories for legends such as Eric Geboers, Jacky Martens, Alessio Chiodi, and Ben Townley in its glorious history.  For the riders with the most wins, you need only go to the top of the all-time GP winners list, as both Antonio Cairoli and Jeffrey Herlings have won 5 times, with Stefan Everts the record holder before them with 4 victories.  Amazingly, Cairoli is clearly out in front with a total of 12 individual race wins compared to Herlings on 7 and Everts on 6. 

With its instantly recognisable red dirt and dark green forest as a backdrop, the Portuguese venue is a photographer’s delight, and with both native Portuguese and travelling Spanish fans packing the trackside banking, the atmosphere is bound to drive the riders to further heights as they start a three-week run of back-to-back-to-back Grand Prix action!

The EMX125 Championship Presented by FMF holds its third round of the year in Portugal, with Fantic Factory Racing EMX125 rider Noel Zanocz from Hungary holding a slender 8-point Championship lead over Racestore KTM Factory Rookies star Gyan Doensen. Spain’s Salvador Perez holds third for the RFME GASGAS MX Junior Team. 

The EMX250 series is also on to its third round, and Italian Valerio Lata has won three of the four races so far this season for the Beddini GASGAS Factory Juniors squad, building a 16-point gap over BUD RACING Kawasaki’s Mathis Valin. The Frenchman won an EMX125 race at Agueda last year so he will feel confident of closing down the leader.  Spanish youngster Francisco Garcia should enjoy some Iberian support as he lies 4th for the RFME GASGAS MX Junior Team, behind Gabriel SS24 KTM’s Cas Valk who looks to improve on 3rd. 

The reigning MXGP World Champion Jorge Prado still leads the Championship for Red Bull GASGAS Factory Racing, although he lost a few points over the MXGP of Trentino weekend to his main opposition, so Tim Gajser is now just 13 points behind for Team HRC. Kawasaki Racing Team leader Romain Febvre re-passed Jeffrey Herlings for third in the series after winning the first race at Pietramurata, but still lies 45 points behind the red plate holder, ten ahead of the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing spearhead.

The Champion has, like Everts, won six races at the Portuguese venue so far, taking double race victories in both of his MX2 title-winning years of 2018 & ’19, as well as the overall in MXGP in 2022, and the first race here last season.  His streak of four straight GP wins to start the year will certainly pull many fans across the border from his native Spain, although a few might wait until the MXGP of Galicia the following weekend at Lugo, the town where Prado was born.

Herlings won last year’s MXGP of Portugal, a result which pulled him level with Stefan Everts on 101 all-time Grand Prix wins, before he went on to claim two more last season.  He’ll be looking to add to that tally further, even after revealing that he actually sustained four broken ribs in his practice crash at the MXGP of Sardegna! “The Bullet” won at Agueda for three straight years in MX2 from 2011 to 2013, as well as a double defeat of Cairoli in MXGP in 2018.

Gajser has won three races here, but the only time he won overall was with a double victory in 2019. Febvre finished second to Herlings last year, which was his first podium appearance at Agueda, a rare circuit at which he has never won! Fantic Factory Racing’s Brian Bogers has good memories of the track, having finished third overall here behind Prado and Gajser in 2022.

Last year’s RAM Qualifying Race winner was Team HRC’s Ruben Fernandez, but he will miss this edition through injuries sustained in Argentina. Mattia Guadagnini is looking to return from injury for Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Racing, while the 2023 EMX250 winner, Andrea Bonacorsi, moves up to make his MXGP debut for the Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP Team.

Kawasaki Racing Team star Jeremy Seewer won an MX2 Grand Prix here in 2017, and he lies just sixth in the title chase, one point behind the man he beat into second that day, Standing Construct Honda rider Pauls Jonass.  The pair split the race wins that day, with Seewer taking the overall on the second race tiebreaker. 

The question still remains as to whether Jorge Prado will be able to keep his winning streak alive, or will anyone be able to stop the freight train in Portugal?!

MXGP - World Championship Top 10 Classification: 1. Jorge Prado (ESP, GAS), 219 Points; 2. Tim Gajser (SLO, HON), 206 Points; 3. Romain Febvre (FRA, KAW), 174 Points ; 4. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 164 Pts; 5. Pauls Jonass (LAT, HON), 142 Pts; 6. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, KAW), 141 Pts; 7. Calvin Vlaanderen (NED, YAM), 131 Pts; 8. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, FAN), 118 Pts; 9. Valentin Guillod (SUI, HON) 88 Pts; 10. Kevin Horgmo (NOR, HON) 64 Pts; 

Main Photo: MXGP Start Portugal 2023 

Bottom Photos: 1. Jeffrey Herlings; 2. Romain Febvre

Dutch star Kay de Wolf carries the red plate for Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Racing into Portugal, and although he failed to win the Grand Prix for the first time this year in Trentino, he only lost three points over the weekend to his main chaser, Simon Laengenfelder of the Red Bull GASGAS Factory Racing team. The gap at the top is now 26 points, with third-placed Thibault Benistant a further 39 points behind for Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing MX2. Liam Everts took the win in Trentino for Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, and moved himself up to 7th in the standings as he catches up from missing the MXGP of Argentina due to a pre-season thumb injury.

As is the case at several circuits this year, nobody in the current MX2 line-up has won a GP before at Agueda.  De Wolf has got closest with 3-2 finishes for 2nd overall last season behind Jago Geerts, while Mikkel Haarup of the Monster Energy Triumph Racing squad took 2nd overall here in 2022 with 4-2 scores.  Amazingly they are the only riders currently in MX2 to have taken a top three GP trophy away from Portugal.  Andrea Adamo was 2nd in the first race last year for Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, and after a disappointing couple of GPs on Italian soil, the reigning MX2 World Champion will be hoping to lift himself from 5th in the standings, where he sits just 8 points behind Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Lucas Coenen, who himself is just a point behind Benistant in third!

The wildly unpredictable nature of the MX2 class leaves possibilities of the results going anywhere among the leading factory riders, and only the bravest would bet on any outcome!

MX2 - World Championship Top 10 Classification: 1. Kay de Wolf (NED, HUS), 213 Points; 2. Simon Laengenfelder (GER, GAS), 187 Points; 3. Thibault Benistant (FRA, YAM), 148 Points; 4. Lucas Coenen (BEL, HUS), 147 Pts;.  5. Andrea Adamo (ITA, KTM), 139 Pts; 6. Mikkel Haarup (DEN, TRI), 131 Pts; 7. Liam Everts (BEL, KTM), 128 Pts; 8. Camden McLellan (RSA, TRI), 126 Pts; 9. Rick Elzinga (NED, YAM), 110 Pts; 10. Marc-Antoine Rossi (FRA, GAS), 101 Pts;

Main Photo: MX2 Start Portugal 2023 

Bottom Photos: 1. Liam Everts; 2. Thibault Benistant

Don’t miss your chance to watch the MXGP action in Portugal this weekend. Get your tickets HERE! and VIP TICKETS HERE 

All the photos from the MXGP of Portugal will be available HERE.

You can find the complete results HERE.

TIMETABLE 

SATURDAY: 08:20 EMX125 Free practice Group 1, 08:50 EMX125 Free practice Group 2, 09:20 EMX250 Free practice, 09:50 EMX125 Qualifying practice Group 1, 10:30 MX2 Time Practice, 11:00 MXGP Free Practice, 12:20 EMX125 Qualifying practice Group 2, 13:00 EMX250 Qualifying practice, 13:40 MX2 Time Practice, 14:15 MXGP Time Practice, 15:00 EMX125 Race 1, 15:45 EMX250 Race 1, 16:35 MX2 RAM Qualifying Race, 17:25 MXGP RAM Qualifying Race.

SUNDAY: 09:45 EMX125 Race 2, 10:25 MX2 Warm-up, 10:45 MXGP Warm-up, 11:30 EMX250 Race 2, 13:15 MX2 Race 1, 14:15 MXGP Race 1, 16:10 MX2 Race 2, 17:10 MXGP Race 2.

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The 2024 FIM Motocross World Championship is heading to Águeda for the Portuguese GP that marks round 5 for most of the field, while it is only the third GP weekend of the season for Fantic Factory Racing MXGP’s new-entry Brian Bogers. Get his thoughts in this open and honest chat about his return to racing after having been on the edge of retirement and find out about his goals aboard the Fantic XXF 450.

Brian, after an exciting but also pretty stressful comeback in the premier class of Motocross, this short break in the calendar came just at the right time. How did you spend these two weeks without racing and how do you feel now that you had a bit of time to settle in with the new team and bike?

I think this is a good time to train a lot because we will have three races in a row now, followed by one weekend off and again three race weekends in a row, which means you cannot train too much and too hard in between. I have to say I feel good at the moment, I feel better every day.

It must have been a good feeling as well to see all the support and positive reactions to your comeback.

Yes, that was really nice to see. It is also sort of a confirmation for myself that I belong to the paddock, with everyone being so positive about my return. I want to show what I am capable of this season, that is what we are training for right now. The bike feels so good and the team around me is so nice, so positive vibes only.

A lot of people were also impressed when they found out you had already started a “normal job” as a plasterer (one of the topics featured in the latest “Behind the Gate” episode focusing on the Fantic MXGP squad, out now on YouTube) and were seriously considering retirement, after your initial plans for 2024 had not worked out – something completely out of your control. How close were you to throw in the towel?

Well, I was really close to it, I think I was just on the edge… Actually, I spoke with my girlfriend about it and we both agreed that it was maybe better to throw in the towel and stop. I already had a normal job and I was thinking: “Why do I still do it? And what for?” So yes, I was really close to stop – and then I got that phone call from Louis [Vosters, Fantic Factory Racing MXGP Team Owner]. Of course, I was really happy about it. When I came home after the first meeting my girlfriend saw me smiling and was like: “Wow, it has been way too long that I did not see you like this!” I was just really happy.

They say “everything happens for a reason”. Did you learn something during these tough months when you did not smile so much? At least you had more family time this winter with your adorable son, little Brian.

I think I have learned something from it, yes. For sure, my heart belongs to Motocross. I also have Brian junior now and I spent a bit more time with him this winter and I liked it. When I do something, I want to do it 100% but the thing is, I am a lucky guy and he likes Motocross maybe even more than I do [he smiles]. So, it is a win-win situation now, as he can come to the races with me and he loves it.

Talking about races, did you watch the first GP events while you were still sitting at home? And did you get a different perspective by doing so? The level is impressive in MXGP right now.

Yes, I did watch from home. And well, we have been saying so for a few years already and I do believe that the level is really high. But yes, it seems to become even higher year after year. That makes it also more difficult for me to come back. On the other hand, I know that I belong there and I know that I can do it.

You made that clear with your top-10 result at your first GP back in the deep sands of Riola Sardo. Arco – on a completely different surface – was a tougher one but, all in all, it was maybe also better than expected considering the little time you had to prepare your comeback?

Yes, for sure. I think this just shows how motivated I am. I was not fit in Riola. This was also coming from my inner self. It was in my head that I just wanted to do it. This is how motivated I am and this is how I feel every day. Even when I am cycling or training in the gym, I think about it every day – I just want it so much. There is not one day that I think about doing less, no, I want to do even more. 

You are also working with team trainer Kevin Strijbos now. How is it to work with him, your new teammate Glenn Coldenhoff and the whole Fantic Factory Racing MXGP squad?

It is actually really nice. I cannot think of a better place to be in right now. With Kevin and Glenn but also the whole team, including the mechanics and Louis, there is a really nice feeling and a calm and relaxed atmosphere inside the team.

You said the feeling with the Fantic XXF 450 was really good as well since the very beginning. What do you like the most about your bike?

I think it is a mix of the chassis, the suspension and the power. The combination works just really well. The other day, I was training on a French track that was really difficult for me, hard and slippery, also because I was born in the Netherlands. Even there the bike felt really good. That shows just how good the bike is and I feel it on track. 

We are going to Portugal now, Águeda is also quite hard-pack but it is also the venue where you grabbed your first ever MXGP podium in 2022. What can we expect this upcoming weekend, what do you hope for?

Well, in Arco Iast time out I felt like I wanted to do a little better. A 14th overall is not the kind of result I am racing for. On the other hand, I did not have a lot of training. But I still believe that if I had good starts, even in Arco I would have had top 10 potential. This is going to be the goal for Portugal – to take good starts and then I believe I can be up there with the top guys. I feel really good at the moment, so why not. 

Looking a bit further ahead, what is your goal for the season? 

I still believe that I can end up in the top 10 overall in the standings, that is my goal this year – and of course, to show in some races that I belong up front. 

As a former Lommel GP winner, that race must be on top of your list?

Well, as we have just said, I had a podium in Portugal, which is not a very hard-pack track but a little bit medium; I had a podium in Spain on proper hard-pack surface and I had a podium in Lommel – that makes three completely different tracks. I don’t really care about the track or the kind of dirt, I just want to do good in every race. I don’t want to focus on one race, I want to be there every single time. 

Photo Credit : Fantic Racing

MONACO (Principailty of Monaco) 29 April 2024 – Following two weeks off, the retun, the of the 2024 FIM Motocross World Championship will take place in Agueda for the MXGP of Portugal on the 4th and 5th of May.

Checkout the Timetable and Entry Lists for the MXGP of Portugal below:

TIMETABLE

MXGP ENTRY LIST

MX2 ENTRY LIST

EMX250 ENTRY LIST

EMX125 Presented by FMF Racing ENTRY LIST

The 2024 F1 Chinese Grand Prix concluded in Shanghai, with over 250,000 spectators flocking to the circuit to mark the 20th anniversary of F1 in the city. H&H Sports hosted an impressive MXGP Exhibition at the Shanghai International Circuit, drawing a crowd of more than 80,000 visitors at the MXGP booth throughout the event.

During the Exhibition, the motocross culture and world was showcased, offering an immersive VR experience that left attendees very excited at the prospect of having MXGP coming in Shanghai in September. This provided a fresh perspective for people and children from urbanized location who may not typically have access to motorcycles; sparking a newfound excitement and understanding. Additionally, the extensive display of MXGP introductions, motorcycles, and top-of-the-line helmets garnered significant attention, prompting countless spectators to pause and capture the moment with photos.

A lottery was drawn from hundreds of people from the crowed, and the lucky winner received a professional Just1 J-GPR helmet. A lot of leaders from Fengxian Sports Bureau attended the MXGP booth adding to the enthusiasm and support.

The buzz generated further elevate the popularity of MXGP in China with this success, the MXGP of China in Shanghai promises to be triumphant!

Reigning EMX250 Champion, Andrea Bonacorsi, will step up to the premier class with the Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP Team for the remainder of the 2024 FIM Motocross World Championship season, replacing Maxime Renaux who is currently sidelined through injury. 

Bonacorsi, alongside Calvin Vlaanderen, will race a YZ450FM in the premier class following his impressive 450cc debut last year, where he finished third in the Open class at the Monster Energy Motocross of Nations in Ernee, France. 

The recently turned 21-year-old Italian steps up to the premier class off the back of his best result in his MX2 debut season last time out in Trentino, where he claimed third place in Race Two. Bonacorsi is now fully focused on testing his new YZ450FM, as he looks forward to making his MXGP debut at the fifth round of the Motocross World Championship in Agueda, Portugal. 

Andrea Bonacorsi

Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP rider

“I’m looking forward to moving up to the 450 class. It wasn’t an easy decision after showing that I can run up front in MX2 in Trentino, but I feel like the 450 suits me much better, and my potential is much higher on this bike. My goal will be to learn the bike as quickly as possible and to improve weekend by weekend like I was already doing in my rookie season in MX2. So, for me, the approach will be the same, just in a new class.” 

Alexandre Kowalski

Yamaha Motor Europe Off-Road Racing Manager

“After a challenging start to the season with Jago (Geerts) and Maxime (Renaux) side-lined through injury, we needed another rider to join Calvin (Vlaanderen) on the Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP team. As a rider who is perhaps better suited to the 450 due to his height and weight and after a long chat in the winter in which he expressed his wish to move up, Andrea Bonacorsi was the clear choice. ‘Bona’ raced a YZ450FM at the Motocross of Nations last year, and he was impressive, finishing third in the Open class on his 450 debut. He has just turned 21, and we have already seen what he is capable of. We have full confidence in his ability and believe he will make a great addition to the team. 

While we look forward to having Bona onboard and seeing him progress throughout the season as he builds in confidence and experience, we also look forward to the eventual return of Jago and Maxime, and wish them the absolute best in their recoveries.”

Photo Credit : YAMAHA

MONACO (Principality of Monaco) 24 April 2024 – Infront Moto Racing is thrilled to announce that the tickets for the MXGP of Latvia are now available online!

Prepare yourself for an exciting experience as Kegums will host for the 9^th time in a row the FIM Motocross World Championship on the 8^th and 9^th of June.

In 2023 in Latvia, Jeffrey Herlings in MXGP and Kay de Wolf in MX2 dominated their class to climb on the top step of the podium! Who will be the ones to rise to the top this season… Prado, Gajser, Febvre or maybe Herlings again? Let’s find it all out and get your tickets HERE

The MXGP and MX2 classes will be joined by the EMX250 along with the EMX125 Presented by FMF Racing.

Considering an upgrade to VIP? Elevate your experience with the VIP GOLD SKYBOX pass - available HERE!

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Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP rider Jago Geerts is working hard to come back from an injury he picked up at the opening round of the 2024 MXGP World championship, in Argentina in early March. The Belgian, who damaged his elbow and collarbone in the crash, had an operation and is currently recovering at his base in Monaco.

“I had an operation,” Geerts told us. “Because the elbow was also dislocated and they put it back it in Argentina, but some things were in the wrong place, then I had to get some screws in to get it back in the correct place. In early April, I got a check-up and normally after that, I can start doing some exercises and get some mobility back in my elbow.”

Living the life of a high paid athlete does have its benefits, with Geerts resting up in Monaco, and splitting his time in Belgium, where he visits his doctor. While missing racing terribly, Geerts still gets to enjoy some of the things, he usually misses as a full-time motocross racer.

“I stay mainly in Monaco, but I do go back to Belgium to go to the hospital and then I go back to Monaco. Well, it is different now for sure and I start to do some physical things and I am going to the physio every day now, but for sure, I try and enjoy life a bit different now, but I am waiting to get back on the bike, because I already miss it a lot. I can go for a coffee or walk around the city, go to eat and now we have more time to do that than just training and it is different, but I try and enjoy that now. Now just a lot of work on my injuries to get them healed as fast as possible.”

As for a return to racing, the goal is the very tough circuit of Belgium, in the homeland of Geerts and while it might be a tough place to return after months off the bike, Geerts is just happy to have a goal to follow and hopes his body will be fully recovered by the time the MXGP of Flanders comes around in August.

“Yes, I do have a goal for coming back. I want to come back for Lommel, as it is now, Lommel should be possible and then we will see in a few weeks how the injury is healing, if it is longer, or shorter, but for now I am looking at coming back for Lommel.”

Injuries for any rider isn’t fun to see, and for the quiet, but always respectful Belgian, we all hope he can make that home GP return and then build as the final part of the season heads into the Monster Energy Motocross of Nations, where he will no doubt want to represent the Belgian team, along with more than likely Liam Everts and Lucas Coenen.

Photo Credit : FullSpectrum 

The latest episode of the acclaimed documentary series Behind The Gate is now available on MXGP-TV, giving a full account of the gruelling MXGP of Sardegna!

Episode 3: “Rock ‘N’ Riola” takes you deeper into the action from the sandy circuit, with a spotlight on the new Fantic Factory Racing team. Their veteran rider Glenn Coldenhoff gets into a spot of bother on the drive to the circuit, and new signing Brian Bogers tells of his off-season worries and sudden call-up to race factory machinery!

Kay de Wolf tells us the secrets of his blistering pace in the sand, as well as the real story behind his blistering move for the lead in MX2! Watch for the moment when his front wheel looks ready to burst through your screen!

The Gabriel SS24 KTM team is a new full-time outfit to the MXGP paddock, so Team boss and former GP winner Shaun Simpson, in his own unique style, introduces us to the team and its riders Josh Gilbert and Cas Valk. 

Cas’ sister Lynn Valk and leading WMX racer Lotte van Drunen take us through the challenges for the top female racers on the planet as they battle brilliantly in the heat of Riola Sardo!

With stunning action you won’t see anywhere else, as well as in-depth analysis from MXGP Commentator Paul Malin and Presenter Lisa Leyland, Behind The Gate continues to show the colourful characters behind this beautiful yet brutal sport. See it first on MXGP-TV!

WATCH EPISODE 3 |“ROCK ‘N’ RIOLA”

When Red Bull GasGas factory rider Jorge Prado failed to win the Saturday qualification race at round one of the 2024 MXGP championship in Argentina, it was something of a surprise, as he had owned the qualification races throughout a lot of the 2023 championship winning season.

Last weekend, his Saturday disappointment hit an all time low as he lost his seat, while running second in the qualifier, had to pit for a new seat and then finished way down in 17th place.

So, with a horrible start gate for Sunday and then a third-place finish in the opening MXGP race, it looked like maybe, Romain Febvre and Tim Gajser had unlocked the door to beat the Spaniard. Wrong, Prado went into the second race of the Sunday and was quick to tell his mechanic on the start line, about his intentions, and his intentions was to win.

“I told my mechanic I was going to win the second one,” Prado said. “I went to the gate saying that to myself and I was able to do that. I felt I could win, and it is something you just feel, and I felt it going into that race. I had a perfect start and coming into the first corner, I went on the inside and that was exactly what I thought before the start. Then I thought, okay, I just have 30 minutes to make it happen and stay focused. They were putting pressure, and I could hold and hold, and I made it happen.”

No doubt in the form of his life, Prado won his fourth Grand Prix in a row, something he hadn’t come close to doing in his previous seasons on the 450 machine. Confidence sky high, and momentum on his side, its going to be tough for his competition to stop Prado this year and he knows it.

“I think I am at my best right. I have never won four in a row in the 450 class, not even two in a row. I am just feeling very good, and I feel I am making the difference and physically I am in really good shape, and I feel I can turn any situation around. Today I was really not feeling good with the track and felt it was very dangerous. I just had to go through it with my fitness and push.”

When victory comes and you are not feeling comfortable about the circuit you are racing and you have the type of bad luck Prado had on Saturday, that shows a man who is very much in control of his destiny.

“I didn’t feel good on this track, the bike was losing grip everywhere and it was kicking around. I was just not one with the bike and I know this track doesn’t allow you to be super smooth, not like in Spain, where you could play with the ruts. Here you have to be tight and so slippery, and I finished P3 and that was enough to win the GP.”

While conditions didn’t suit Prado, his mental edge over his rivals is obvious and he isn’t backing down on his momentum and victory run. The Red Bull GasGas rider is heading to Portugal in two weeks with only victory on his mind.

“Mentally I am really doing well, but I still keep my feet on the ground and I work every day and I still have that margin to improve and I wake up every day with that in mind and working hard and being first motivated me even more, because it makes me happy for the work I am doing and tonight I will sleep really well knowing I am giving it 100% and doing it on the track. Winning just makes me work even harder.”

So, unbeaten until now and going to a circuit he has won at on three occasions in the past. One of the most successful riders around the Agueda circuit and in all-time best form, would anybody bet against him in round five of the 2024 MXGP championship?

Photo Credit: GASGAS