Jorge Prado has won the 2018 MX2 World Championship without having to turn a wheel at Imola, Italy – the venue for the final round of the FIM Motocross World Championship – after team-mate and title rival, Pauls Jonass, announced he would not compete at the MXGP of Italy.
There has been a compelling battle between the two Red Bull KTM team-mates all season and although Prado had very much the upper hand ahead of Imola, the talented young rider still had work to do this weekend.
That is until Jonass announced he had lost the fight to overcome his injuries and defend his title.
On a social media post, Jonass announced he had undergone knee surgery. “Unfortunately, my season came to an end sooner than we wanted it to,” he wrote.
“After the crash in Turkey my knee was all messed up, but my team and I decided to push through and not give up the title yet despite the torturing pain. The part about pain pretty much sums up Assen for me.
“Fast forward to yesterday, when I had a surgery in my knee. Great doctors and a great job done. Huge shout out to the people at the Ortema facility.
“Obviously, I will not be racing in Imola this weekend. I hate to let my fans down, but, if I ever want to go out there and do what I love most, a healthy pair of legs will come in handy.
“Much love to everyone for the kind words, we’ll be back in 2019.”
With Thomas Kjer-Olsen 190 points back in third place in the MX2 championship standings, it means Prado is the 2018 MX2 Motocross World Champion – the 17-year-old from Lugo, Spain is the third KTM MX2 rider in as many years to win the MX2 title.
It is now probable that we’ll see the 21-year-old move up to the MXGP class next year with factory Husqvarna the hot favourite to get the Latvian.
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