With Jorge Prado not happy with his comfort level on the Kawasaki and the team apparently not happy with him, the rumours of a move to KTM are strengthening and it remains to be seen if Prado will even race SMX on the Kawasaki.
Prado said on Instagram: P-6 Overall in the @promotocross standings. It was a very tough season to say the least. Cruising around every single race was heartbreaking for me, especially knowing my capabilities… Never felt comfortable on the bike, not even a bit! This builds to an unsafe feeling on it. Didn’t expect this year to go this way at all. Happy to be in one piece and fit. Hopefully we’re back where we belong soon 🫡 Note: With cruising I meant, that I couldn’t ride to my full potential , even though I gave my 100% and had to set myself to ride on a safe speed.”
“Hopefully back where we belong soon“, does that mean at the front or riding a KTM machine or at the front on a KTM?
We may find out the answer very soon indeed, as there are now rumours he would like to race the MXoN after all, but do it on a KTM! In their latest Racer X race review podcast, Jason Thomas said: “I heard a theory from someone whose I opinion I value. He (Jorge) was going to race Kawi at SMX playoffs…he will then ask to have his exact race bike (KTM) from last year brought to Ironman for MXoN, a full works bike, because he can run that. And he would be all in, engaged to try change the narrative…’see, I tried to tell you guys,’ he will probably be at KTM next year. That’s a theory of what I heard he may be planning deep down.“
This was something I was hoping would happen but didn’t think it would due to the short timeframe. However, if it does, the anticipation will be HUGE at Ironman. And if Prado performs up to his real standards, it will raise more questions as well as some answers but, importantly, hopefully give Prado the boost he needs heading into the off-season, as he tries to make season two in the USA much closer the matching the expectations everyone had for season one, including himself.
It would also be great news for Spain who would be big contenders for a MXoN podium with Prado, plus an in-form Fernandez and Farres.
Watch the full show below with the Prado chate 26 minutes in:
