Prada closes the gap on Gajser with second at MXGP of Flanders in Lommel

Racing at what is widely regarded as the toughest motocross track in the world, Jorge Prado secured a dominant qualifying win, double holeshots, and 2-2 finishes for second overall.

Lommel is a true test of rider and machine. The incredible deep, ever-changing sands, the track length, and the super technical layout all combine to create what is widely regarded as one of the toughest motocross tracks in the world. Located in the north of Belgium near the Dutch border, the circuit is also in a traditional heartland of European motocross.

Jorge Prado once again brought his absolute A-game to the MXGP of Flanders, determined to not only close the gap on current championship leader Jeffrey Herlings but also to prove his credentials as an elite sand rider. While the top step of the podium just escaped him on this visit to Lommel – ultimately finishing in second place overall – Prado managed to close the championship gap down to just 24 points. That’s not all, however. The defending world champion shredded around the 1850m track with such blistering pace that he won Saturday’s qualifying session and secured both Fox holeshot awards from the gate drops of Sunday’s motos.

In fact, throughout both of Sunday’s motos, the playbook was pretty similar on each occasion. Bursting out of the gates, the Spanish ace proved to be the class of the field at the start, pulling an immediate gap in the opening laps in both races. So much so that by lap four of the first moto, Prado had pulled a near 16-second gap over the chasing field. Jeffrey Herlings, however, was determined to deny Prado the overall win, overhauling Prado at the midpoint of both moto one and moto two to capture the win.

MXGP – #1 – Jorge Prado: “It has been a great weekend overall. Yesterday, I won the qualifying, and today, I secured two second places. My speed was good all day, but I knew ‘The Bullet’ [Herlings] was coming, so I focused on maintaining a fast and consistent pace. I did my best to beat him, but honestly, he was faster today. I’m very happy with my second place. We reduced the gap in the championship, which was the goal, so that’s super positive as we head to Sweden in two weeks!”