This is absolutely fantastic news. Jorge Prado isn’t scared, that’s for sure. With hardly any prep, under two months, the super skilled MXGP world champ is diving into the deepest of deep ends with the most stacked field in years of 450 supercross just to test the waters for 2025.
It’s a sink or swim situation but if anyone from MXGP can make such a change in such a short time, it’s the most technically perfect rider in the class.
Prado is on the same level as Jett Lawrence in that regard but he obviously has next to no supercross experience compared to the superstar Aussie who heads into his 450 debut with two 250 supercross titles and even a 450 supercross in Paris plus SMX under his belt.
Prado, complete with the number 111, the number proudly worn by Jean Michel Bayle in 89, Stefan Everts in 1992 and Greg Albertyn in 1995.
Everts and Bayle are the closest comparison both raced the first few rounds as a test in 89 and 92 respectively, Bayle with a high level of supercross experience already.
Everts came straight off being in conscription to the Army that winter to run a top five pace and a top ten result.
Sebastian Tortelli won the opener in 98 before going on to win the world title against Everts that GP season in a banner year for the lightening fast teenager. Even future world champ Fred Bolley rode some early supercross races ahead of GPs in 1995.
Prado has less supercross experience than all those mentioned, so his ambition and bravery has to be admired. He’s not scared and how he can adapt to the high octane, narrow lanes and aggressive racing with so little experience will be fascinating. His starts will be an asset, but will he cope with the aggressive racing that the risk averse, always very cerebral Prado tends to shy away from in MXGP. He might not have that option against the likes of Barcia and Anderson in AMA supercross!
Everts ultimately decided to stay in GP’s and win a record number of titles, Bolley stayed too but Tortelli and Bayle went full time to the States, what way will Prado turn in 2025? These three races will go a long way to deciding his long-term future.
Words: Jonathan McCready
Image: Gas Gas