Jorge Prado Signs Extension With Red Bull KTM For MXGP Transition

June 26, 2019

IMAGES | KTM/Ray Archer

One of the biggest uncertainties regarding the future of Monster Energy FIM Motocross World Championship paddock has been answered, as Red Bull KTM has announced a three-year contract extension with Jorge Prado that will keep the Spanish teenager in the international series through 2023. The news comes in the middle of Prado’s MX2 world championship defense, as winning a second consecutive title will force him from the development division and into the premier MXGP class for 2020, which was a career-defining concern for all involved.

Prado joined the MX2 series at the end of 2016, raced the full season in 2017 and claimed his first win that year, then battled Pauls Jonass to the title in 2018. The quick ascent to the top of the class has come thanks to Prado’s placement under Claudio De Carli’s portion of the Red Bull KTM program and with guidance from teammate Antonio Cairoli, two things that will continue in his extended deal.

The 2019 season has been exceptional for Prado, as he’s nabbed 17 moto wins and nine overall victories, and holds a 44-point lead in the series standings over second place. That list of wins completely overshadows his absence at the second round of the series, the MXGP of Great Britain, due to a shoulder injury.

With all signs pointing to Prado winning a second title and an advancement to the MXGP series, there have been major concerns of what he would do. One of the smaller riders in the field and still rather young, there were understandable hesitations about him getting on the big 450 and racing a much more developed field of competitors. Rumors of Prado coming to the US to race the 250 Supercross and outdoor series restarted, as it was something he expressed interest in years ago, but that has been dismissed with the new deal.

Prado’s deal is one piece of KTM’s total puzzle in the series. The brand currently has Jeffery Herlings and Antonio Cairoli locked into multi-year deals for the MXGP class, with both signed to stay orange through 2020, and recently announced a deal with teenage MX2 rider Tom Vialle that will keep him on the factory team through 2021.

The press release, including quotes from Prado, De Carli, and KTM executive Robert Jonas, is posted in full below…

The eighteen-year-old Spaniard is acknowledged as one of the hottest talents on the international motocross scene. He made his debut in Grand Prix in 2016 and scored a podium finish at Assen in the Netherlands at his first full attempt. Prado toasted his maiden victory in Italy a few months later in his rookie MX2 term with the KTM 250 SX-F and then memorably dueled with then-teammate Pauls Jonass to win the 2018 FIM World Championship in his second season.

After the German fixture last weekend Prado is currently unbeaten in the nine rounds of ten he has contested in 2019 and had 14 holeshots. He leads the standings by 44 points in what has so far been a comprehensive title defense. If the Galician claims back-to-back titles he will be the third Red Bull KTM rider to do so in the last ten years, joining Marvin Musquin (2009-2010) and Jeffrey Herlings (2012-2013). Prado will also need to join the MXGP class and teammates Tony Cairoli and Herlings for 2020.

Jorge Prado: “KTM have supported me since I started racing and winning my first world title in the 65s. They offered me a great opportunity for MXGP because if I win this year then I’ll need to be on a 450 and so this all came together very easily. I’m very happy to stay another four years and we’re both excited about it. Since I joined this team and worked with Claudio [De Carli] I’ve really felt that my place was to stay here and learn. He has a lot of experience and I’m sure we’ll make a good pass to the 450s. I have a great team behind me and it is difficult to find a better place than where I am right now.”

Claudio De Carli, Red Bull KTM MXGP Team Manager: “In our sport we can never take anything taken for granted, so it is always satisfying when renewals like this happen and we can continue our journey. It is the sign that we are working in the right direction and the continuity in relationships means that the group is solid and close-knit. With Jorge I have had again the chance to help a young rider, which has always been one of my priorities, and I thank KTM for this. In the last two years I can only say that with Jorge we have always worked with the utmost commitment and with a smile, even in difficult times. He is a fantastic boy that deserves all his success.”

Robert Jonas, VP of Offroad: “Jorge has been a KTM rider from the beginning and it has been special and rewarding to watch him develop so fast to reach the top of the sport. Full credit must go to Claudio and Davide De Carli, Tony Cairoli and the crew inside the team for the way they have mentored Jorge and helped him unlock that final touch needed to bring the results we all knew he was capable of. Making this new contract was pretty easy because it was something both of us really wanted to happen and we’re excited to see what he can do next.”