Red Bull KTM’s Jorge Prado scored his fourth consecutive podium with 2nd overall at round ten of 2020 MXGP and the second Grand Prix in a week to occur at a sunny Mantova in Italy. Tom Vialle raced his KTM 250 SX-F to the same position in MX2.

 

Red Bull KTM news from the Citta di Mantova:

• Fifth MXGP podium of 2020 for Jorge Prado and another moto win
• Tony Cairoli ties on points for final step of the MXGP box and takes 4th
• Tom Vialle finishes 2nd, his eighth rostrum from ten and extends MX2 points lead

The hard, shallow sand of the Tazio Nuvolari circuit again staged MXGP for the second time in four days. Italian sunshine remained over a track with minimal changes compared to last Sunday’s Grand Prix of Lombardia. The terrain was slick and rough for the nineteenth and twentieth motos of the season in both classes.

 

 

Jorge Prado – The reigning MX2 world champion seized his ninth holeshot from nineteen attempts and from a ninth pick of slots in the start gate after Timed Practice in the morning. The 19-year old led from the first lap until the last, although he had to stay error-free in order to keep Jeremy Seewer away from his rear wheel. The checkered flag represented his second moto victory of 2020. In the second race he had to respond from a top ten start but lost two positions in the first part of the moto after stalling his bike. Prado’s 6th (1-6) was good enough to be runner-up on the day. The Spaniard is up to 4th in the championship table, 35 points from the red plate.

 

 

Tony Cairoli – Still a little uncomfortable after breaking his nose on Sunday, Cairoli made a strong start in the first moto and rode well to secure a lonely 4th place. The Sicilian classified in front of title rival Tim Gajser by one position. In Moto2 Cairoli registered another 4th and crossed the finish line a second ahead of the chasing Glenn Coldenhoff and Prado. He tied on points with Tim Gajser but had to accept 4th overall due to the Slovenian’s better ranking in the second moto. Cairoli is 2nd, and just 5 points behind Gajser in the MXGP standings.

 

Jorge Prado: “The first moto was perfect with a perfect start and I kept my mistakes to a minimum. I thought I had everything right at the second start but the guys came up the inside and I almost crashed together with Romain [Febvre]. I think I was ninth, or something similar, but got up to a good position for the overall win when I stalled the bike and lost two positions. I charged all the way to the finish and I was happy with my riding. No win but two podiums here now so it was a good day. Hopefully we can take the win next weekend.”

Tony Cairoli: “I didn’t expect to ride so well. My nose doesn’t bother me for pain, but it is trickier for breathing. I was also losing some balance. So, the motos were pretty good. I didn’t make many mistakes and we stayed at the front – this is good for the championship especially.”

Tom Vialle – The Frenchman was 9th fastest in MX2 Timed Practice but his starting skill ensured he was top three on the first lap of the opening moto. Vialle tried to keep up with Maxime Renaux and made an error and was victim to eventual winner Thomas Kjer Olsen at the end of the 30 minutes and 2 laps. He took 3rd place. In the second outing Vialle nailed his twelfth holeshot of the season and controlled the race for his ninth victory of the season; becoming the rider with the highest number of wins. The 3-1 on the day helped Vialle grow his MX2 championship lead from 21 to 46 points over closest pursuer Jago Geerts.

 

The third and final event at Mantova will take place on Sunday for the Grand Prix of Europe. MXGP should then travel to Madrid in Spain, up to Belgium for another triple header at Lommel and lastly back to Italy for three races at Arco di Trento.