George Prado (Lugo, 2001) The attack on the World Motocross Championship begins this weekend. It would be his third season in the top category, 450 cc, and he arrived after a preparatory period without the physical issues that burdened the other two seasons. In addition, the colors made her debut, as she leads the Gas Gas project as the only official rider for the Spanish brand, from KTM’s orbit. Before traveling to Matterly Basinmeet as.
-Finally preparing for the season without injury problems, how are you?
– The truth is that the start of the season, coach, healthy and suspended on the bike, it was perfect. Over the past two years for one thing or another, I’ve started the season injured or not one hundred percent. So I’m happy with how the preparation period for this season has ended. You have completed the program we expected, very cool.
– And how are you doing with the new Gas Gas team, apart from the fact that it’s in KTM’s previous orbit? Is it different from last year in being the only official driver of the brand?
– Well, for me nothing really changes, let’s say the team does not change, I am in the same structure and the only thing that has changed is the color. I am now part of Gas Gas and am the only official rider of the 450 brand. We have taken steps forward with this new bike for this year, so everything is running smoothly for now.
How do you feel about the new bike? Are you comfortable with it?
-Yes. This year we have a new bike, and we’re competing with the 2023 which is a completely different bike than last year. Different engine, different suspensions, chassis…and we had to adapt this bike to all kinds of terrain. We’ve done really well this season, and now I feel very good with the bike. We’ll see how the Matterley Basin race goes, because we’ll be able to get a lot of information. The important thing is that we have a good base and we will see how it goes on race day.
– If the bike was in good shape and without physical problems and if the injuries respected him, would you see yourself there as one of the favourite?
Yes, that is clear. The goal is always to go out and win, I hope to get the championship this year. It’s very complicated, but I think I can do it, so let’s see how it goes. But yes, the goal is the world championship.
– Last year there were five, you, Herlings, Gajsser, Fevry and Cairoli, the “cool” who were battling for heats and podiums. How many will there be this season?
Well, we’ll be the same, removing Tony (Cairoli) It was withdrawn. We’ll be there as it was last year and maybe there will be some surprise, another rider arrives. But we have to wait for the first races and see how the championship develops. Jeffrey (Herlings), Tim (Gagesser) and Roman (February) will definitely be the reference riders in this category.
– This year it returns to the traditional pre-pandemic Grand Prix format, with training and qualifying on Saturday and racing on Sunday. Do you like or prefer everything centered on Sunday?
On the security front, I think the one-day format is safer because at the moment we’re taking the risk, let’s say unnecessary, by having to compete in qualifying, where we don’t get points and it’s just for the grid position. Then it is a matter of getting used to it again. I don’t have any kind of problem because that’s what we’ve been doing in recent seasons, but I’m excited to start the season now, this weekend.
– Also in the new calendar, the races between the week have disappeared …
– Last year there was only one day per GP, but due to the COVID issue, there were sprints during the week to comply with the calendar. It’s been exceptional the past two seasons and with two days of racing a week we have enough. Although when we had GGPP during the week I think it wasn’t an issue for us physically, we always competed in the same circuit, and didn’t have to travel. I still prefer to avoid these races.
– You are without a doubt the spearhead of Spanish motocross, but this season you will have two compatriots there who are Ruben Fernandez and Jorge Zaragoza. How do you see them?
Robben made his 450 debut last year and is in great shape. He has an official motorcycle (Honda) And I think he will be able to do well, the top ten will be possible for him. And I’m glad the rider I grew up with, competing, can be in the 450 World Championships right now, and then Jorge Zaragoza is back in the World Championships after a few seasons absence. The more Spanish riders in the World Cup, the better.
– Robben met a few weeks ago at the Italy International in his first race with Gas Gas. How was that first contact?
-For me, it was way too early as I had so little on the bike, and between getting the bike ready and training, I didn’t have much time to arrive ready. But it was a good first contact, we did see a bit of the speed of the drivers, how all of them were and it was a positive. There have been a lot of changes from that race to today and we will see how it goes at Matterley Basin, but I think it will be a positive weekend if things go smoothly and without a hitch.
– Well, so be it and good luck to Great Britain and the World Cup.
-Thank you so much.
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