PRADO
STICKS
WITH KTM
M
X2 World Champion Jorge Prado will
remain a Red Bull KTM rider and part
of the FIM MXGP Motocross World
Championship for the next four years, until 2023,
after signing a contract extension.
“KTM has supported me since I started racing
and winning my first world title in the 65s, Prado
said. “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.”
“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, states Red Bull KTM MXGP Team
Manager, Claudio De Carli. It is a 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.”
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 duelled with then-
teammate Pauls Jonass to win the 2018 FIM
World Championship in his second season.
NEW SOUTH ISLAND TRIALS CHAMPS
FINALE DATE
W
hile the final two rounds of the South
Island Trials Championship were set
down for August 9-10 in Blenheim,
due to the unavailability of key personnel in the
running of the event, the organisers have had to
102 KIWI RIDER
cancel the Blenheim dates in favour of a new slot
in September.
The final two rounds of the 2019 South Island
Trials Champs will now take place in Christchurch
on the weekend of the September 7-8.