Jorge Prado Triumphs at MXGP of Spain, Shaking Up the 2024 World Championship Standings

The 2024 FIM Motocross World Championship witnessed Jorge Prado's stunning performance at the MXGP of Spain, securing his 39th career Grand Prix win. Prado's victory at intu Xanadú – Arroyomolinos not only delighted local fans but also intensified the championship race, establishing him as a dominant force in the current season.

Key Takeaways:

• Jorge Prado's Home Victory: Reigning MXGP World Champion Jorge Prado, racing for Red Bull GASGAS Factory Racing, captivated the Spanish crowd with his victory, equalling the legendary Eric Geboers with his 39th career Grand Prix win. His triumph in Spain has put him back in the lead for the 2024 season, showcasing his unparalleled skill and determination on home soil.

• Challenges from World Champions: The MXGP of Spain highlighted the fierce competition among racers, including Jeffrey Herlings, Tim Gajser, and Romain Febvre. Despite various challenges, such as injuries and points deficits, these seasoned competitors are closely following Prado in the championship standings, setting the stage for a highly contested season.

• MX2 Category Drama: The MX2 category saw its own share of excitement, with Kay de Wolf emerging as the new World Championship leader after a series of remarkable performances. The category remains highly competitive, with racers like Simon Längenfelder and Thibault Benistant pushing hard to capitalize on their hard-pack skills before the season moves to the sands of Sardegna.

As the flight cases have been unpacked from the season opener in Argentina, the 2024 FIM Motocross World Championship made a thrilling entry into Europe with the MXGP of Spain at intu Xanadú – Arroyomolinos. The hard-pack circuit, a recent addition to the MXGP calendar since 2020, has quickly become a fan favourite, not least because of the spectacular win by local hero Jorge Prado in its inaugural year.

Prado, now the reigning MXGP World Champion and racing for Red Bull GASGAS Factory Racing, returned to his homeland as the series leader, following a commanding victory at the YPF Infinia MXGP of Argentina. The circuit has witnessed two overall wins from Jeffrey Herlings of the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing team, but this year, Herlings is looking to close a 22-point gap from Prado, despite being 7th in the World Championship standings.

This round of the championship also marks the opening of the FIM Women’s Motocross World Championship and the EMX250 Championship, highlighting the diverse talent across the motocross community. Spanish fans have another hero to support, Daniela Guillen, last year’s WMX Silver Medallist, who is eager to improve upon her second-place finish in 2022.

Jorge Prado's victory at the MXGP of Spain was a landmark moment, as he equaled the record of Belgian legend Eric Geboers with his 39th career Grand Prix win. The competition remains fierce, with Tim Gajser from Team HRC closely trailing Prado in the standings, despite not having won a GP race at intu-Xanadu Arroyomolinos yet. Gajser is determined to narrow the gap further in the championship race.

The Spanish circuit has not been kind to every competitor, as evidenced by Romain Febvre’s massive crash in 2023, which resulted in no points from the event. However, other racers like Pauls Jonass and Maxime Renaux have seen success at this venue, with Renaux being the only rider to have won in both classes at this circuit.

The injury toll from the season opener in Argentina has sidelined several competitors, including Brent van Doninck and Jago Geerts, both of whom are wished a speedy recovery. As the championship progresses, the MXGP of Spain has proven to be a crucial battleground for the world’s top motocross talent, setting a dramatic and competitive tone for the rest of the season.