Prado in learning mode amid supercross switch
Saturday morning, January 25, 2025. Angel Stadium in Anaheim, California. Race day. Two-time and defending MXGP World Champion Jorge Prado was sitting in a swivel chair inside the lobby of the Monster Energy Kawasaki 18-wheel semi.
The rider was in good spirits and looking forward to what the third round of the 2025 Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship had lined up for him. As it transpired, it wasn't going to be a good day – less than an hour after this interview took place, the 24-year-old Spaniard went down in a heap during the opening 450SX timed practice session, and as a result of getting tangled up in the nets at the end of the rhythm section, dislocated his right shoulder. Prado will now look to this Saturday's 450SX main event set for State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
But while his 2025 campaign suffered an early setback, it's a safe bet that the mission hasn't changed.
'I never mess around when it comes to racing,' said Prado. 'I like to win, so hopefully we can replicate what I did in the World Championship. I want to do it here. Especially with the 450 being the main category. A racer from the World Championship hasn't won here in such a long time. It's a big deal.
'I was riding in a championship where I was comfortable. I knew everything I had to do to get to that title and right now I'm just learning a new bike and new discipline that is supercross. I'm getting to ride different tracks and tracks that I'm really not used to riding. It's a challenge.'
Between flying BMX bicycles and Freestyle Motocross bikes, Monster Energy girls, blaring DJ music and fans here, there and everywhere, Prado has come to enjoy the pit party vibe at the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship tour.
'It's cool. It's different. It's more like a show, right?' smiled Prado, looking out the semi-truck window. 'I feel like when you go to the World Championship, it is more like a business thing. It's like, 'OK, we just ride and hammer these tracks.' Here, it is more fancy kind of stuff, but at the same time, it is go time, as well, when we are on track. No, I like it. I like the combination. It's cool to go and stay in the pits, too. Not bad.'
Prado is still working on his supercross racecraft, as well as coming terms with the frenzied on-track activity that often comes along with supercross.
'When you're in my position, and at my level, you're pretty much always in mid-pack, so you're always in the battle, right?' he said. 'We don't have that extra speed and confidence to ride up front. Let's say you're just riding a different race, where there is less happening. It is more like what I raced in MXGP. At the moment, I need to suffer and be in the mix. I mean, it has never happened before where there are five champions of the highest 450SX category are racing at the same time. Even with just that you can already imagine how high the level is in supercross this year. And out of that you have another 20 riders that are also 250cc champions. Right now, I don't who is not a supercross champion on the starting gate. I feel like everyone is a champion. So yes, the level is high.'
Prado has continued to improve and gain confidence in his new chosen form of motorcycle racing.
'Yes, I'm starting to feel more comfortable,' he said. 'I'm taking my time. I just want to do the right steps together with the team. We work hard and it's cool. It's been nice. It's just totally different. We're racing at night. That makes it very different. I mean you're even standing around in the pits for four or five hours and then you straight into a heat race, which is very crazy. Once we go out there we go wide open and the body is not even super warmed up. It's different. You need to get used to it and that's it.'
Given his inexperience with this sort of racing, Prado is staying realistic about his expectations.
'I would love to win the championship, but it's not the right time and it's not realistic,' he said. 'I just want to improve. I want to see a good progression. That's what would make me very happy. That's my goal. Just get better and if that means getting a top five or a podium, let's go for it. I just want to give it 100-percent every weekend and see where we end up. Then we want to replicate that next weekend and get better. That's my goal.'
Story originally appeared on Racer
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