Vital MX GP Bits: 2024 MXGP of Portugal

Checking the weather forecast? Because it became a bit wet... Juan Pablo

Things started out clean... Juan Pablo

Roll-offs, check. Clear visor extender, check. Juan Pablo

For the defending MXGP champion, things appeared to be okay. Juan Pablo

Until they went very badly. Prado lost his red plate and lead in the championship. After winning a heat race in muddy conditions at the San Diego Supercross, many were shocked as Prado isn't known as a mud rider. Portugal was a reminder that he is in fact, not a mud rider. Juan Pablo

Before the mud, the track looked quite enjoyable. Juan Pablo

Adamo's title defense couldn't be going much worse. Juan Pablo

Lucas Coenen's early season is going better than Adamo's, but not by much. The speed is there, but so are numerous crashes. Juan Pablo

And Portugal added at least six crashes to his total. Juan Pablo

Tear-offs on top of roll-offs, something you really only see on pro-prepped goggles...as many brands don't offer this setup to the public. Juan Pablo

After only a handful of MX2 races to his credit, the 2023 EMX250 champion, Andrea Bonacorsi, was moved from Yamaha's MX2 program to the MXGP team. Why? The Kemea MXGP effort was down to just one rider after the team had been dealt multiple setbacks and injuries. Juan Pablo

Probably not a bad idea due to Bonacorsi's large build. Juan Pablo

Glen Coldenhoff navigating the swamp on his Fantic. Check out the amount of foam on his helmet and his handguard extenders. Juan Pablo

This guy wasn't having a solid day. He was not vibing. Juan Pablo

Simon Längenfelder was also not feeling the vibes...as his crash in moto one resulted in a broken collarbone. Juan Pablo

Mattia Guadagnini made his maiden MXGP start for the Nestaan Husqvarna after returning from injury. Juan Pablo

Probably wishes he had picked a better round to return to action at. Juan Pablo

Yeah, it's not just the riders that experienced the conditions. Juan Pablo

There's a 2025 Honda CRF450R under all that mud, we swear. Juan Pablo

Tim's bike didn't come away unscathed, but he did leave Portugal with the points lead. Juan Pablo

Just throw it in the garbage and start new. Juan Pablo

Jeffrey Herlings seemed to be on track to get his season moving in Portugal. Juan Pablo

Until a bike failure in moto one. Juan Pablo

A frustrated Bullet still left with the win in moto two. Juan Pablo

When was the last time an old generation of a bike has beat the new generation for the overall win? As Pauls Jonass and the Standing Construct team race the current production CRF450R, not the works 2025 model that Gajser has. Juan Pablo

Jonass' 2-2 performance was enough to hold off Romain Febvre's 3-4 for the overall win, the first MXGP overall of the prior MX2 Champion's career. Juan Pablo

When in Rome... Juan Pablo

2,163 days since this man last stood atop an MXGP championship podium. Congrats Pauls Juan Pablo

Yup, that's how we'd feel too if we had to work in those conditions Juan Pablo

The starting technique differences between the US and MXGP are interesting to watch. Juan Pablo

Liam Everts went the extra foam route for his Airoh helmet. Juan Pablo

Liam showed some of his lineage. Riding just like his father Stefan would, on the pegs, standing, and at times looking like was on a Sunday cruise. Juan Pablo

Liam Everts now has five GP wins to his credit. Only 96 to go to match his father. Juan Pablo

Kay de Wolf now sits 30 points ahead of Lagenfelder (who is injured now), and almost 60 points ahead of Liam Everts... Juan Pablo

Can anyone catch de Wolf? Juan Pablo

Technically speaking, the US 250 and MX2 Triumph's look fairly similar and have almost identical technical partners. However, sponsorship-wise, the MX2 team is by far ahead with support. Juan Pablo