Prado...'KTM trusted me with bike changes'

philG
Posts
11140
Joined
5/12/2012
Location
GB

Yet another example of a rider having to fight to get what he wants,  despite the team thinking it wouldnt work. 

Best performance of his US career so far , looks like he he did when he rode GP's. 

Not counting out a Moto win , if he actually realises that you dont have to follow lappers . 

Bike looked fantastic, in contrast Tomac's looked too stiff in the rear, and too soft in the front. 

AP needs heated grips on his, to keep his hands warm when he pushes it back. 

 

15
10
|
8/15/2026 2:48pm

Yeah bike looked so much better. I don't think anybody believes that 2024 Prado is better than Jett, so if he rides like he did here and at Pala he's gotta be pretty close to where he's supposed to be. 

11
500 Mike
Posts
1140
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
Kingwood, TX, USA
8/15/2026 2:57pm

Glad to see Jorge finally riding like we knew he could based on his MXGP days.  While I don't think he handled the Kawasaki situation correctly, I just happy to see him challenging the top guys for podiums and wins.  

18
Mavetism
Posts
6577
Joined
4/15/2019
Location
Hannover, DE
8/15/2026 3:01pm
crusty_xx wrote:
Yeah bike looked so much better. I don't think anybody believes that 2024 Prado is better than Jett, so if he rides like he did here...

Yeah bike looked so much better. I don't think anybody believes that 2024 Prado is better than Jett, so if he rides like he did here and at Pala he's gotta be pretty close to where he's supposed to be. 

100%

I think that was the 24 Prado we have seen at Pala and today aswell. I just want to see this every weekend and not him riding 40 seconds behind the leaders on some weekends. 
Kinda excited to see what he can do in SX with another off season.

3
3
aees
Posts
2828
Joined
8/20/2015
Location
USA
8/15/2026 3:22pm

I want to see how it plays in next race for Prado. But found pretty much a second a lap in setup.

Fastest lap times in both Motos without being in the lead, with half a second. Pretty good.

Would be great if @LewisPhillips could dig into what exactly he got from his MXGP setup.

5
4

The Shop

Spergen
Posts
762
Joined
5/16/2011
Location
GB
8/15/2026 3:26pm
aees wrote:
I want to see how it plays in next race for Prado. But found pretty much a second a lap in setup.Fastest lap times in both...

I want to see how it plays in next race for Prado. But found pretty much a second a lap in setup.

Fastest lap times in both Motos without being in the lead, with half a second. Pretty good.

Would be great if @LewisPhillips could dig into what exactly he got from his MXGP setup.

I would assume suspension, US riders/teams tend to run it far too stiff for outdoors from what I read.   But I'm slow and no pro! 

2
2
Chris_Buehler
Posts
8598
Joined
7/21/2019
Location
PORTLAND, CT, USA
8/15/2026 3:37pm
crusty_xx wrote:
Yeah bike looked so much better. I don't think anybody believes that 2024 Prado is better than Jett, so if he rides like he did here...

Yeah bike looked so much better. I don't think anybody believes that 2024 Prado is better than Jett, so if he rides like he did here and at Pala he's gotta be pretty close to where he's supposed to be. 

Mavetism wrote:
100%I think that was the 24 Prado we have seen at Pala and today aswell. I just want to see this every weekend and not him...

100%

I think that was the 24 Prado we have seen at Pala and today aswell. I just want to see this every weekend and not him riding 40 seconds behind the leaders on some weekends. 
Kinda excited to see what he can do in SX with another off season.

If he makes a similar progression in sx next year to what he made this year he's going to win races. 

3
2
matze
Posts
2366
Joined
3/1/2014
Location
Stuttgart, DE
8/15/2026 4:34pm

His pass on Hunter was crazy. So happy for him as I thought his US journey might be over at some point

3
matze
Posts
2366
Joined
3/1/2014
Location
Stuttgart, DE
8/15/2026 4:37pm Edited Date/Time 8/15/2026 4:38pm

Also he most of the time talk about "us" finding/gaining a good setup, he obv likes where he is at with KTM. I more so took it as a dig at another team. 

3
1
wrc777
Posts
3229
Joined
5/21/2020
Location
Greenwood, IN, USA
Fantasy
8/15/2026 4:54pm
aees wrote:
I want to see how it plays in next race for Prado. But found pretty much a second a lap in setup.Fastest lap times in both...

I want to see how it plays in next race for Prado. But found pretty much a second a lap in setup.

Fastest lap times in both Motos without being in the lead, with half a second. Pretty good.

Would be great if @LewisPhillips could dig into what exactly he got from his MXGP setup.

Spergen wrote:

I would assume suspension, US riders/teams tend to run it far too stiff for outdoors from what I read.   But I'm slow and no pro! 

I have heard the Lawrence’s run softer than normal suspension compared to other US based riders. 

5
8/15/2026 5:19pm

He looked good. 

mb60
Posts
5677
Joined
3/7/2010
Location
GRAPEVINE, TX, USA
8/15/2026 6:03pm

He was on it today. Can you imagine the Lawrence Brothers,  Prado and Conen and Deegan the next few years. Yikes

5
1
KurtJ99
Posts
2547
Joined
2/6/2017
Location
USA
8/15/2026 6:53pm
aees wrote:
I want to see how it plays in next race for Prado. But found pretty much a second a lap in setup.Fastest lap times in both...

I want to see how it plays in next race for Prado. But found pretty much a second a lap in setup.

Fastest lap times in both Motos without being in the lead, with half a second. Pretty good.

Would be great if @LewisPhillips could dig into what exactly he got from his MXGP setup.

IIRC Lewis said he got his transmission from MXGP spec. I think it had a taller 2nd gear?  He credited that change for his improved starts. 

1
Smuffers
Posts
275
Joined
4/24/2025
Location
Central, NJ, USA
Fantasy
8/15/2026 6:54pm

Prado looked great today and he is amazing to watch when he's on. Reminds me of Musquin with his precision and creative lines. 

2
1
Boggins
Posts
413
Joined
7/30/2019
Location
Hermosa Beach, CA, USA
8/15/2026 9:02pm

Down vote for Team KTM telling Prado "what set up" he should ride.  Sounds like Team Kawi, and Team Yam pre-Star.

Give the rider all he asks for to set the bike up for his desired preference/ comfort.  The Outdoor season is 70% over and Fact KTM is finally letting Prado run his set up.  These Factory Teams are a joke!  

Isnt the goal to get the bike on the box and sell bikes?

7
4
Mototech853
Posts
183
Joined
1/20/2024
Location
Itasca, IL, USA
8/15/2026 9:42pm
Boggins wrote:
Down vote for Team KTM telling Prado "what set up" he should ride.  Sounds like Team Kawi, and Team Yam pre-Star.Give the rider all he asks...

Down vote for Team KTM telling Prado "what set up" he should ride.  Sounds like Team Kawi, and Team Yam pre-Star.

Give the rider all he asks for to set the bike up for his desired preference/ comfort.  The Outdoor season is 70% over and Fact KTM is finally letting Prado run his set up.  These Factory Teams are a joke!  

Isnt the goal to get the bike on the box and sell bikes?

Isn’t that what they did with Sexton and the bike still wasn’t good enough for him?

4
1
aees
Posts
2828
Joined
8/20/2015
Location
USA
8/16/2026 12:11am
aees wrote:
I want to see how it plays in next race for Prado. But found pretty much a second a lap in setup.Fastest lap times in both...

I want to see how it plays in next race for Prado. But found pretty much a second a lap in setup.

Fastest lap times in both Motos without being in the lead, with half a second. Pretty good.

Would be great if @LewisPhillips could dig into what exactly he got from his MXGP setup.

KurtJ99 wrote:

IIRC Lewis said he got his transmission from MXGP spec. I think it had a taller 2nd gear?  He credited that change for his improved starts. 

This was before the break. Talking about the changes during the break.

2
8/16/2026 2:18am
aees wrote:
I want to see how it plays in next race for Prado. But found pretty much a second a lap in setup.Fastest lap times in both...

I want to see how it plays in next race for Prado. But found pretty much a second a lap in setup.

Fastest lap times in both Motos without being in the lead, with half a second. Pretty good.

Would be great if @LewisPhillips could dig into what exactly he got from his MXGP setup.

I’d guess sag.

VetRider97
Posts
277
Joined
4/14/2013
Location
Chippewa Falls, WI, USA
8/16/2026 3:39am

Prado was railing but gets dropped late in motos

1
mxxxeR1
Posts
525
Joined
4/25/2022
Location
NL
8/16/2026 4:34am
VetRider97 wrote:

Prado was railing but gets dropped late in motos

That has more to do with lapped riders than with his fitness

2
5
bents
Posts
3422
Joined
12/31/2009
Location
CA
Fantasy
8/16/2026 4:37am
mb60 wrote:

He was on it today. Can you imagine the Lawrence Brothers,  Prado and Conen and Deegan the next few years. Yikes

Absolutely! This line up (crossed fingers they all stay healthy), will produce some amazing racing in 2027 and beyond. BTW, who would downvote this take? 

2
mxxxeR1
Posts
525
Joined
4/25/2022
Location
NL
8/16/2026 4:43am

Many people also forget that prado didn't really race motorcross in 2025 ,and he's now starting to regain his condidence,,,,, and he's also starting to get more used to those american tracks.....

4
2
luke11
Posts
687
Joined
6/4/2018
Location
Worcestershire, GB
8/16/2026 4:55am

Honestly can someone explain to me, why as a team you wouldn’t let the rider dictate the bike set up?!?

These teams need to get their heads out of their own arses and realise, even if and it’s a big if, the riders preference wasn’t better on paper, if he prefers it it’s still better due to placebo, and the result being on the rider. 

I know I’ll pay the one of the best riders millions because there only 6 people in the world who can currently ride a bike as fast as him but I’m not going to let him set his bike up how he wants it?!?

6
2
decano51
Posts
2825
Joined
10/5/2017
Location
Central West, NSW, AU
8/16/2026 5:57am
luke11 wrote:
Honestly can someone explain to me, why as a team you wouldn’t let the rider dictate the bike set up?!?These teams need to get their heads...

Honestly can someone explain to me, why as a team you wouldn’t let the rider dictate the bike set up?!?

These teams need to get their heads out of their own arses and realise, even if and it’s a big if, the riders preference wasn’t better on paper, if he prefers it it’s still better due to placebo, and the result being on the rider. 

I know I’ll pay the one of the best riders millions because there only 6 people in the world who can currently ride a bike as fast as him but I’m not going to let him set his bike up how he wants it?!?

id say they would be used to riders basing their set up off stiff suspension 

PRM31
Posts
3758
Joined
8/7/2009
Location
Northern, VA, USA
Fantasy
8/16/2026 6:09am

Is there a translation issue here? I have heard Jorge state on a number of occasions that KTM was open to setups. They started with his MXGP setup. 

1
kawasa84
Posts
1825
Joined
6/7/2008
Location
Flower Mound, TX, USA
8/16/2026 6:37am
Boggins wrote:
Down vote for Team KTM telling Prado "what set up" he should ride.  Sounds like Team Kawi, and Team Yam pre-Star.Give the rider all he asks...

Down vote for Team KTM telling Prado "what set up" he should ride.  Sounds like Team Kawi, and Team Yam pre-Star.

Give the rider all he asks for to set the bike up for his desired preference/ comfort.  The Outdoor season is 70% over and Fact KTM is finally letting Prado run his set up.  These Factory Teams are a joke!  

Isnt the goal to get the bike on the box and sell bikes?

I had high expectations for Jorge when he came to race here. Was really excited for him to sign with Kawi. SX didn't go good, but there was a lot of hype on him coming into the Nationals last year. Very soon into the season, with him laying down during the early season races, fans began to wonder what was up. By the halfway point, his lack of effort started to turn fans away. Before the season was up, the speculation was over and his down right coasting around the track and giving up when he got passed by riders was the last straw for some fans. Everyone eventually found out Jorge blamed it on Kawasaki for not allowing him to go outside the bounds of corporate "team" orders on bike setup.

So that split is history.

So if what Jorge eluded to after Unadilla is true, why didn't he throw in the towel and coast around like a pissed off whatever? I'm glad him and Kawi are split. I'm happy he's doing better for factory KTM. I find it strange, that he treated one good factory team like dogshit for not allowing him to get the setup he wanted, and the next factory team, he's apparently patient as hell, trying to get the setup he wanted.

It is what it is, and he certainly couldn't burn another bridge on another factory team or his career would be jeopardized. I'm thrilled he can be in the fight 2 races so far this outdoor season, but the trajectory of his Kawi days still weigh on me. I'm also pleased to see KTM allow him to push them in the direction he wanted to go on setup instead of apparently being stubborn and not listening to Prado.

6
DonJulio
Posts
436
Joined
7/5/2026
Location
Ft Worth, TX, USA
8/16/2026 7:19am
mb60 wrote:

He was on it today. Can you imagine the Lawrence Brothers,  Prado and Conen and Deegan the next few years. Yikes

Deegan about to be a 3rd to 5th career guy 

7
8
PRM31
Posts
3758
Joined
8/7/2009
Location
Northern, VA, USA
Fantasy
8/16/2026 8:00am Edited Date/Time 8/16/2026 8:06am

Listen to Jorge’s post race interview. My interpretation, he did not suggest KTM was in any way forcing him to a setting. He repeatedly said they were open minded to trying new things. Even said they improved on his GP setting. Zero suggestion he had to ‘fight’ for changes. 

1
kawasa84
Posts
1825
Joined
6/7/2008
Location
Flower Mound, TX, USA
8/16/2026 8:45am Edited Date/Time 8/16/2026 8:46am
PRM31 wrote:
Listen to Jorge’s post race interview. My interpretation, he did not suggest KTM was in any way forcing him to a setting. He repeatedly said they...

Listen to Jorge’s post race interview. My interpretation, he did not suggest KTM was in any way forcing him to a setting. He repeatedly said they were open minded to trying new things. Even said they improved on his GP setting. Zero suggestion he had to ‘fight’ for changes. 

9 races in. Two breaks also. A one week break and a 2 week break. So weeks of testing before the Nationals, then another 12 weeks, and they do a bunch of testing and find a setup, that he pushed for.      And now only 2 races left of the nationals.                          Huh????

1
8/16/2026 9:14am
aees wrote:
I want to see how it plays in next race for Prado. But found pretty much a second a lap in setup.Fastest lap times in both...

I want to see how it plays in next race for Prado. But found pretty much a second a lap in setup.

Fastest lap times in both Motos without being in the lead, with half a second. Pretty good.

Would be great if @LewisPhillips could dig into what exactly he got from his MXGP setup.

Spergen wrote:

I would assume suspension, US riders/teams tend to run it far too stiff for outdoors from what I read.   But I'm slow and no pro! 

wrc777 wrote:

I have heard the Lawrence’s run softer than normal suspension compared to other US based riders. 

You can easily see it. Pretty much anyone from overseas, Lawrence’s, Prado, Roczen to name a few, run their suspension softer and they look plush, like they are a dream to ride. 

Then look at our guys…. Our guys bikes look like crap in comparison. Enough to where Reed posted on IG yesterday about someone getting Deegan a setup because his bike looks horrible. I would say the same about Eli’s bike as well. 

VetRider97
Posts
277
Joined
4/14/2013
Location
Chippewa Falls, WI, USA
8/16/2026 9:14am
VetRider97 wrote:

Prado was railing but gets dropped late in motos

mxxxeR1 wrote:

That has more to do with lapped riders than with his fitness

You mean the same lapped riders leaders dealt with? 

Post a reply to: Prado...'KTM trusted me with bike changes'

The Latest