It’s Tuesday after the last round of Pro Motocross, and I have been waiting to see a full report about the Prado qualifying incident. To be sure, our motocross media have talked about it and have mentioned rumors, but I have yet to see anything resembling journalism. So I thought I would write it myself:
Mechanicsville, MD - According to sources within the team, Monster Energy Kawasaki motocross racer Jorge Prado allegedly sabotaged his own chance at making the event by intentionally riding too slow during both qualifying sessions. According to the source, who requested anonymity, Prado wanted to avoid having to race the final round of the 2025 Monster Energy Pro Motocross Championship at Budds Creek Raceway.
Prado, a former multi-time MXGP champion, was reportedly forced to race the event by team leadership. Despite not setting a qualifying time, event rules permitted the Spanish racer to start the race because he was among the top 10 in championship points. Prado eventually scored 10th and 11th place moto finishes, earning 10th overall for the day.
Jorge Prado and Kawasaki Racing Senior Manager Dan Fahie were contacted, but both declined to comment on this story.
My question, to those who would know, is: does this capture what happened? And if so, why not report it just like that? And to follow up, are there no other sources willing to go on the record about this apparent travesty, or is everyone just okay with not addressing something that looks pretty darn bad?
candy ass
Cooksey? Is that you?
More like Walty Wanders.
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this shit has gotta be up there with lasergate
Ah, my good fellow, can you not see that it an entirely different horse I am beating??
Simple, that’s not real journalism. That’s speculative tabloid garbage. You’re literally making up your opening two paragraphs by saying “reportedly”. I have nothing like that to “report”. I have my personal speculation but nothing from anyone that’s a real source stating anything like that.
I just watched the Swapmoto Live report on YouTube. Their guy Chase said “Now rumblings from Budds Creek are pointing towards Jorge not being aware of [the exception to qualifying rules] …” and “That said, all things are kind of pointing towards Jorge just blatantly not trying to qualify for Budds Creek, and uh yeah, that’s pretty bizarre and quite shocking to hear. Now while we can’t confirm that this is completely factual as only Jorge knows what his intentions were in the morning of Budds Creek…”
Where are the quotes? The sources? The attribution? At least he admits he can’t claim it’s “completely factual” but if that’s the case, shouldn’t he hold off reporting it until he can corroborate the claim? Wouldn’t that be real journalism?
I have no doubt you know what you’re doing. I respect you as a professional and I assume the reason you haven’t published quotes from Jorge or his representatives is because you don’t have any. Is that a correct assumption? What I would like to know is if Prado is just refusing to talk directly about the qualifying story.
I mean, is it possible that the rumors, now spread by Pulp and Swapmoto Live, are just not true?
Matthes and crew talked about this extensively on the review pod and the pulp show. He intentionally tried not to qualify. Simple as that and also funny as hell
From what I heard when I listened to the Pulp review show, Matthes mentioned “rumors” about Prado’s intentions… he never said who told him the rumor, and I got the distinct impression that neither he nor anyone affiliated with that Pulp show actually asked Prado about his qualifying. Is that also your recollection of the podcast?
I’m that that vested into this bs. But didn’t he come pretty close to still qualifying. I don’t believe he had a timer on his bar pad to just luck out of not making it…. But it is also crazy he was so far off pace.
I met a gepthee.
Its obvious he tried not to qualify.
But no one will say it, because he probably has effort clauses that he in the moment should give it his best.
Prado's out is he saying he isn't/wasn't comfortable to go faster on the bike, right then. Maybe changed setup for race and that was it.
It's a shit show. But when other teams has agreed to let people go when they are not comfortable on the bike, Kawi forces him to ride. They should let him go for SMX, plenty of time to field another rider unless Prado is mentioned specifically connected to Monster funding. Not impossible. But again, other teams has let tier 1 sponsor riders go when not comfortable on the bike. Just look at Chase. Out again with "injury".
It's a dangerous sport. Putting people out there when they don't want, isn't exactly a dream scenario. Also why other riders left teams even if they could podium. Just a matter of time before they crash. Like Stewart.
You’re not the only one who thinks it was obvious. On the Vital post race podcast, Lewis said this:“Prado can qualify for a 450 outdoor on an RM125. I’m fairly confident of that. So yes, he’s clearly… I kind of have… Without talking to anyone, I kind of have no doubt that he was tanking on purpose to make some sort of point. Like I do really believe that’s what happened in qualifying.”
What I find weird is that it seems like no one has actually asked the man himself about it. Earlier in the podcast, Lewis said: “No one spoke to him [Prado] over the weekend.”
Everyone who read the qualifying times probably had the same reaction: wtf? But NO ONE marched over to the Kawasaki rig to ask Prado… or anyone there… wtf happened? I mean, it almost makes me miss Will; surely she would have done some pit reporting, right? Instead, some mx media types spoke of “rumors” and “rumblings.”
Well, it’s Wednesday. Maybe today someone will report that they tried to discuss the issue with the rider and/or the team and comment was declined. I would rather see that than what I have seen so far.
I haven't slept since Saturday because I'm so worked up over this
There is nobody stating it as fact, because it’s all speculative. Kawasaki management and obviously Dean thinks he didn’t try, but nobody knows it as fact except Prado and Jesus.
Pit Row
90% or more of moto media is buddy-buddy stuff keeping secrets and maintaining relationships. I don't know why anyone bothers pretending to care about facts.
Do you seriously think Prado is just going to admit on record that he intentionally tried to not qualify for a contracted race? He doesn't seem like a very bright light but I don't think he's that dim.
He speaks 5 languages .....and you?.....zo he's definitely not stupid
I do not. But the reporters must (okay, should) ask the question anyway; that’s their job. It’s (remotely) possible that there’s another reason behind the poor performance in qualifying, but right now we’re only going on pure speculation. Prado can always refuse to comment and that should be reported.
So, because you are a polyglot you are of above average intelligence?
The media have many contacts within teams to find out what they can when needed, did the media contact people within the teams, most likely yes, will they release every detail possible, no because of contractual issues it could cause between parties.
Im sure Prado is going to get a dry pineapple at some point for that weekend but also his comments about the team and also the mechanic will probably get one too.
Why would Prado go and say that he didnt want to qualify, surely he isnt that dumb to tell people that.
Someone stole my mailbox sometime between Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning. Ripped it right off the base. I'm starting to get the feeling it may have been Jorge Prado.
Can you do the epstein files next?
Quit while your ahead.... I mean if you ever were ahead i guess.
I’m done.
I've said some questionable things on here before... but who lets Hillbilly post shit without without being screened first?
I speak english, spanish, jive, southern redneck, whatever profeshanal125 speaks, and I coached with a hotheaded Brazilian so I know most insults and swear words in portuguese.
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