Jorge Prado and Pauls Jonass on taking the title fight down to final Grand Prix

MX2 Championship leader Jorge Prado will carry a 46 point advantage into the final Grand Prix of 2018 (with just 50 points remaining) after continuing his fantastic run of form at Assen.

Prado tasted EMX125 title success at the circuit in 2015, a maiden trophy on his debut Grand Prix appearance in 2016 and was victorious in 2017. His 11th triumph of the season today with clear-cut 1-1 moto performances means he stands close to his first MX2 World Championship in just his second season in the division and with the works KTM 250 SX-F.

Pauls Jonass needed painkillers in his right knee to cope with ligament damage as a consequence of his fall in the Grand Prix of Turkey and has also been unable to train or gain any serious practice mileage for almost two weeks. Despite the adversity, the world champion battled back from a first moto, first turn crash and ploughed through the second race to finish sixth overall.

Jorge Prado: “First of all congrats to Jeffrey [Herlings], he did a great job this season. My weekend went pretty well and the Qualification Heat win gave me some good confidence. Two moto wins: it was a good day.

• Watch

Petar Petrov Assen crash is spectacular and terrifying

“I’ve always done quite well here and have always been on the podium. I think the track just suits my style of riding and I had good starts, which meant I could enjoy myself. I think I only need to finish 15-16th for the title now [at Grand Prix of Italy, Imola] but I don’t want to finish 15th-16th! I will try to do my best as always. I have been working hard all season and will keep on doing the same in the last round.”

Pauls Jonass: “Normally I like sand a lot but since I had the crash in Turkey with Jorge I damaged the ligaments in my knee and in the last two weeks I couldn’t do much. I think I went cycling three times and tried to ride once but couldn’t do anything.

“Today it was not too bad because I took some painkillers but I didn’t have much strength in my legs. After two weeks lying on the couch I knew I wouldn’t be able to do much: it is difficult to get into good shape but it is so easy to lose it! It is disappointing and upsetting to lose points. Jorge just needs four now…but it is still not over until it’s over.”

The eight-month MXGP campaign comes to an end in two weeks time with the inauguration of Imola as a Grand Prix venue for round 20 of the season.

Next race: Grand Prix of Italy, Imola, September 30

[more-from heading=”Latest News” category=”news”]