Red Bull KTM Factory rider Jorge Prado is without doubt a rider in good form, and while he doesn’t have the MX2 championship points lead, he is showing enough to give you the feeling defending champion and series leader Pauls Jonass must be looking over his shoulder as the young Spaniard starts to look really strong in 2018.

A 2-1 victory at last weekends Grand Prix of Germany saw him try to close the points gap to Jonass (who went 1-2), and his sixth GP victory came at a good time, as he continues to look at improving at a young age. David Bulmer caught up to him to ask about his weekend.

MXLarge: Jorge, you won the Saturday qualification race and that gave you a good starting position for Sunday. Passing is difficult here, so the start will be critical I guess?

Prado: You know, on this track, the first ten places are okay for a good start. It was good to win the moto, good start and a win, and I looked forward to the Sunday.

MXlarge: How did feel about your win on Sunday?

Prado: The first moto I got the holeshot but decided to go to the inside ruts on the second corner and they were deep and muddy. Pauls went outside and passed me and from that moment I was behind him the whole moto and trying to make the pass. I just couldn't find one spot and was thinking every lap ‘where can I do this?’ and look for new lines but it became too late.

MXlarge: The second moto you had some problems early or not?

Prado: It was tough, and I knew the next start would be so important. I touched something with my front wheel in the second moto and came across into Pauls a little bit out of the gate. We kind of fought down to the first corner and I had the inside. I could lead every lap. So, I’m happy. The points gap is not so big, and we are still improving.

MXLarge: In Latvia you were at times the fastest guy on the track, but you didn’t even get a podium. Was that disappointing for you?

Prado: No, it wasn’t disappointing at all. I was riding good all weekend, first moto I crashed twice in the first lap and had to come back from last to 10^th, so that was ok, after all the time I lost. Second moto I finished first after crashing once. I was happy with my performance.

MXLarge: Starts are important and Jeffrey Herlings mentioned that there is a lot of bar banging and blocking in the starts. How difficult is that for you, battling with a team-mate?

Prado: It is just another rival, I am more focused on myself and it doesn’t make any difference and I do my best and that is it.

MXlarge: You need to be Pauls often to get the points difference close, which rounds are you looking at that might be to your advantage, to get those points?

Prado: I want to do that in every single race, to get close. I make too many big mistakes and he has been consistent. I just need to keep pushing.

MXlarge: I saw Pit Beirer watching today, and its clear the complete KTM team, both MXGP and MX2 are doing well. Are you getting good feedback from the guys like Pit?

Prado: Well, Pit is really happy with our performances. I am happy to be part of the KTM family and Pit has always been supportive and its nice to be involved with KTM.

Ray Archer images