The Galician Jorge Prado, 23, revalidated this Sunday the title in the premier category of the Motocross World Championship after the Castile-La Mancha Grand Prixlast event of the championship organized at Cózar circuit, in the province of Ciudad Real.
Prado thus marks his big comeback, in one season at least, to win the fourth World Championship of his life and defend his title in the MXGP category. In front of his fans, the local idol won Saturday’s qualifying round and could settle for a defensive run scoring Tim Gajser.
However, the Spaniard nailed the holeshot and set a breakneck pace in the opening laps until the Slovenian almost threw in the towel. Prado won ahead of Gajser and Jeffrey Herlings, but he was penalized three positions for having taken advantage of an off-track.
With mathematics on his side, Prado took the lead again in the final round of the championship. While the Lugonais was leading in front of Herlings, he had a scare which the Dutchman took advantage of to take the lead. After a near fall, Prado switched to plan B, allowing Febvre and Gajser to pass him and simply follow in the Slovenian’s wake to secure the title and Grand Prix victory.
“This is the happiest day of my life. Those who gave me the other titles were also the same, but this one, in front of my fans, is very different. I never stopped hearing the encouragement from the fans and that warmth gives you an extra point of speed and confidence. I can’t forget them all and I also can’t forget the whole team, the family and the people who have been behind me for so many years, supporting me in every race,” Prado said.
The second vice president of the regional government of Castile-La Mancha, José Manuel Caballero, explained in a statement that the Motocross World Championship will have an economic impact of more than three million euros in the Campo de Montiel region. The paddock alone moves around 2,000 people, including drivers, mechanics, team members, family members and chaperones.
