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I say it every time: do people REALLY believe Prado won multiple world titles in GPs, came to the U.S., and suddenly became trash? Or that the entire GP field is just so much slower than the AMA nationals that he can’t keep up? Come on… nobody’s that naïve.
There may be a first right of refusal written into Prado's contract. In other words, if KTM were to offer him a deal, Kawasaki could refuse to release him from his Kawasaki contract if they paid him more than KTM's offer. (This is usually a tactic brought and the end of someone's contract term, not during.)
Say what you want about how Prado handled everything (fucking terribly imo) but with all this comparison with Sexton, who will by all accounts give you 110% effort every single time, what did all that effort get him? Prado definitely should have stfu and not run his mouth about the bike but he still finished every MX round on a bike he was very clearly not comfortable on. I mean he could've just as easily gone out there, ridden over his head, and wadded himself up almost every weekend like Chase does - which would've been admirable sure, but he didn't. I'm sure coming off shoulder surgery during SX didn't help with that lack of willing to push either.
For what it's worth I like Chase, I hope he gets it together on green. I used to like Prado, less of a fan now but I do still hope he can figure his shit out. He definitely needs a hefty ego check. I just think it's interesting how him and Sexton are two extremes of the same "uncomfortable with the bike" coin.
I think sexton can't stay in the same lap as prado in lommel
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No.
However, what I do believe is that with injuries he got behind on his own riding, bike setup, etc. Then he got to the races and flat got beat. He has shown he has quite the ego. I don’t think he could process getting beat like he was and in turn blamed everything on the bike. It turned into a downward spiral from there. Perhaps the bike does not suit him 100%. For whatever reason he was unwilling to race as soon as he was not competitive with the leaders.
Will a production based KTM fix it, no clue. He better learn to race in positions 2-5 and build from there.
I think this just might happen.
He has backed himself into a corner. Back on an Austrian bike he better be the Prado we all saw in GPs or he will look the fool but I don’t see how he just forgot how to ride like people seem to suggest
You are absolutely wrong but also-we aren't in Kansas anymore.
For the record. I am not a lawyer, nor am I privy to the details of Prado's contract. However, here are some very basic contractual obligations that are usually written into racer agreements, from what I've gathered in my days as a (small) team manager. I would expect Prado's contract contains at least something similar to this:
In consideration for rider's salary and bonuses;
1) Racer is a spokesperson for the brand.
(In other words, he will represent Kawasaki, Monster Energy, and all the related sub-sponsors in the best possible light. He will appear in team-branded clothing, attend autograph signings, and act in a manner representing the brand in a positive way. He will present his motorcycle as a competitive, preferred vehicle and endeavor to create demand for its retail success.)
2) Racer shall not ride or represent any other team.
(In other words, do not create demand for Kawasaki's competitors, which could result in fewer retail sales of KXs and other models. If you go driving in a UTV, you do it in a Terex. If you go out on a PWC, it's a Kawasaki Jet Ski. By way of extension to the title sponsor and sub-sponsors, if you drink an energy drink in public, it's a Monster. If you put handlebars on your pitbike, you use Renthal, etc.)
Clauses like the above would be in full force and effect until the end of the contract term or until the contract is mutually voided. One party cannot simply decide he doesn't like the terms of said contract and leave. It is in both parties' interests to reasonably attempt to satisfy the other's requirements. (Prado gets a bike with settings he likes, Kawasaki gets a smiling, high-performance rider.) In the event neither party wants to continue, they can come to mutually agreeable terms and discontinue the agreement. This could include any number of things, from "We'll just let you out" to "You owe us $X for breach of contract due to non-performance of duties." It is likely that Kawasaki would have a hard time proving non-performance of duties unless there is an expectation of specific finishes written into the contract. Prado would also face a similar hurdle regarding the performance of the bike (how do you quantify when a bike "feels right?") Honestly, I don't think either party is going to get money back at this juncture. it is probably best that Kawasaki just lets the dude walk with the income he has earned thus far and cancels the rest.
To put it into perspective, not too long ago, when Dungey was doing his comeback out of retirement with KTM he was fighting for top 5s and Roger was live on the broadcast saying "we have to do better"
Can you imagine how pissed he would be with the shit George did?!?
Not only Dungey, but also Cairoli who was dealing with an injury at that time. Those two did so much for KTM and DeCoster had absolutely no chill lol
Has Sexton ever rode there? Prado can't keep up with chase on any Supercross track ever built in the history of Supercross then.
Couldn’t resist…..
I'm not saying that prado is beter everywhere...... you say that about sexton
Kinda on topic. But not just throwing shit around the room.
Watch Jorge ride Southwick. His ‘best’ ride over here Quali, motos, speed. Then watch an old video of him in the sand in MXGP. Two different guys. He looked awful at Southwick. Kinda interesting to compare.
Whatever it is/was, that’s one of the most visible examples for me.
He’s already looked like the fool by quitting….if he doesn’t win right away on the KTM the he will look even bigger a fool….
Tomac, Anderson and Febvre are absolute bike manhandlers as also RV2 was.
Maybe the Kawa is not suited for a ”finesse” rider..?
JP said he could manage a couple decent qualifying laps, but going that speed a full moto on a bike he never jelled with would end in pain.
Sexton on the Kawa (and possibly Jorge on KTM) will be really interresting!
So you DO think he just got off a plane and lost all ability
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what leverage does kawi have lol. he's underperforming, why would they want to keep him under contract?
They don’t, they just want him/his new team to pay. Ever been a part of an ugly divorce or business dispute? Things get emotional and heated quickly and sometimes people want to cause pain more than financial gain
Nobody put a gun to Prado's head to make him not race in Europe anymore. Clearly two different series, Prado made his choice to pursue a new challenge, with the help of agents, lawyers, advisors, family all on board. So he could beat Sexton in Europe on their tracks, that doesn't matter anymore, Prado chose to race here.
No He got off the plane and put no effort in, trashed his team and quit…
The problem with that is that they'd have to continue to pay his salary, and I imagine that it's significant.
You guys keep saying he “quit” but what you mean is “he didn’t ride as hard as we wanted him to”… because he actually finished all rounds of the outdoor series. He didn’t quit. He met his obligations to race when he was healthy, BUT he raced at the speed he felt was appropriate considering his feelings about the bike.
@GrapeApe , I’m not sure how you can say 6th overall in ProMotocross is BS, but the last two sentences of your post are the whole point: he was able to score these points because he didn’t crash out of any races. Consistency worked for him.
He tried to not qualify on purpose….if that isn’t quit then I don’t know what is…
Those four riders rode four distinctly different KX450’s and by all accounts team Kawi has gotten much more open to bike changes since the Tomac days. Let’s just see who’s better when Chase and Prado race next year. My money is on Chase.
I think he discovered his ability was not enough against the riders over here. He also discovered he lacks the ability to test and provide meaningful feedback to help set up a bike.
Amazing isn't it.
Well, we're about to see this weekend.
So you DO think the riders here are way faster than he is? It’s nothing to do with the team or equipment he is on? The multi time world champion sucks against the top national American riders?
Indeed we are… on American soil, American weather, no excuses
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