16-year-old Red Bull KTM Factory rider, Jorge Prado Garcia, produced his first GP victory last weekend, and it seems this very exciting career is now reaching a level that will see him win more often. Ridiculous when you consider his first ever GP was in Assen, around eight months ago.
The Spanish teenager—who won a junior world title back in 2011—has grown into a young man. While he showed signs of his potential last season—especially at the Grand Prix in Assen, when he battled Jeffrey Herlings—his victory last weekend was the start of something really special.
Can he be world champion in 2017? Its maybe a little early, but going by his performance yesterday, guys like Pauls Jonass, and Jeremy Seewer will be a little nervous for the coming rounds.
Our man in Italy, David Bulmer caught up with the Spaniard and asked him about his weekend and his season so far.
Jorge, how does it feel to get that first GP win?
The feeling is awesome. The first GP win, it isn’t easy. You train really hard in the pre-season, to be standing on the highest point of the box. It is a long way to here and we finally make it. We had a podium before. This track gives me a good feeling. It’s hard pack and some people don’t expect me to be good on hard pack. Next week is Valkenswaard and I am really looking forward to another podium if it’s possible.
To get that second moto win, which also put you on the podium, but to also have Pauls right on your back wheel. Were you getting nervous or were you okay about it?
I got the holeshot and was riding really comfortable and really smooth as well. I didn’t use much energy, but I don’t know what happened two lappers moved in the way and they were difficult to pass. It made me a bit nervous when I couldn’t pass. Pauls Jonass and these guys go fast and you don’t want them to catch you. I fought until the end and I am really happy about that.
After Argentina, you didn’t have a very good weekend in Mexico. Why was that?
I was coming to Mexico with a lot of confidence and I thought I would do good there, but some stomach problems. The track was so bad, I don’t know why we race there. A good week back in Belgium, and here we are.
I remember back in 2011 you won the juniors in a similar type of sand track (as Valkenswaard), so everyone knows you are that type of rider in the sand.
I am a really good sand rider I think, after my results, but also on hard pack, when it is hard and slippery like today, I have a good feeling with the bike. The set-up of the bike is really good and I enjoyed it today.
So, you are battling with your team-mate, he is higher than you in the championship, but obviously its early in the season and no team orders. You are doing your own thing, no orders from above to stay apart?
If I keep winning, I can be the champion this year. We still have a lot of races this year and a lot of points, so I don’t even think we get team orders, even in Assen last year, if he wants to win he wins, if I want to win I win. No team orders, just go for the best rider, that is it.
You are hitting so many holeshots this year, that must help you so much to be so good out of the start?
This year I got holeshots in the Italian championship, and International races. In the GP I missed a few, but I am always around there and today I got a good holeshot.
You must be happy with the progress with your fitness. Before you have gotten the holeshot and people have caught you and passed you. It must have felt good today to get the start, but also hold them off until the end and win it?
We are training, so now you can see the effort during weekend. I feel strong now, and I just need that confidence. As lot of this being tired is in my mind and you need to go through it and give everything that you have.
Do you think now that we are back in Europe and everything is more normal, the travel and everything?
Yes, it’s easier and I didn’t have such a good time in the overseas races. Argentina was ok, but the others not so good and I like racing in Europe and I think we will have good races now.
Ray Archer images
