Jorge Prado celebra il titolo 450SMX 2026: analisi della finale di Ridgedale

Prado vince il 450SMX e chiude la stagione post‑season

A Ridgedale, Missouri, Jorge Prado (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) è stato incoronato Campione del mondo 450SMX 2026 dopo la finale disputata sul tracciato high‑speed del Thunder Ridge Nature Arena. Il 25enne spagnolo, schierato sulla KTM 450 SX-F FACTORY EDITION, arrivava all’evento con la red plate di leader del campionato.

Come è maturato il titolo

Prado ha qualificato terzo e, dopo un quinto posto in Moto 1, ha firmato uno dei holeshot più decisivi della sua carriera nella seconda manche: 17 giri di guida solida che gli hanno permesso di centrare la vittoria di moto e assicurarsi il titolo 450SMX. Il successo nella finale completa una stagione post‑season costruita su una regular season solida sia in AMA Supercross (due podi, due fastest qualifier in 450SX e varie vittorie nelle Heat Race) sia in AMA Pro Motocross, dove Prado ha chiuso quarto in 450MX con cinque podi, inclusa la doppietta 1‑1 all’Ironman.

Risultati e classifiche

Di seguito i risultati della finale e le classifiche finali fornite dalla squadra.

Risultati 450SMX – SMX Final

• 1. Haiden Deegan (Yamaha)
• 2. Jorge Prado (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing)
• 3. Hunter Lawrence (Honda)
• 6. RJ Hampshire (Husqvarna)
• 9. Malcolm Stewart (Husqvarna)
• 10. Aaron Plessinger (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing)
• 12. Eli Tomac (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing)

Classifica 450SMX 2026

• 1. Jorge Prado, 158 points
• 2. Haiden Deegan, 151
• 3. Hunter Lawrence, 136
• 7. RJ Hampshire, 99
• 9. Malcolm Stewart, 83
• 10. Aaron Plessinger, 80
• 11. Eli Tomac, 78

Risultati 250SMX – SMX Final

• 1. Cole Davies (Yamaha)
• 2. Levi Kitchen (Kawasaki)
• 3. Landen Gordon (Yamaha)
• 6. Julien Beaumer (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing)
• 7. Ryder DiFrancesco (Husqvarna)
• 8. Daxton Bennick (Husqvarna)

Classifica 250SMX 2026

• 1. Levi Kitchen, 153 points
• 2. Ryder DiFrancesco, 129
• 3. Cole Davies, 128
• 4. Julien Beaumer, 119
• 7. Daxton Bennick, 98

Dichiarazioni dai paddock

Prado ha commentato così il successo: “One year ago I wasn’t even racing in the SMX post-season, but the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing team did an awesome job preparing me all winter long, every single week, and I also prepared myself the best I could to bounce back. That’s what champions do, right? They bounce back, so [I’m] super-happy about this title – it’s my first championship here in the States. I’m a four-time world champion for a reason, and I think I showed that in this last moto where it mattered the most!”

Riflettendo sulla sua ultima gara come professionista, Eli Tomac ha detto: “It has sunk in – I was trying to have fun out there, but to be straight up, there were some stressful moments for me! What a ride it has been. I’ve gotten to literally live the dream, and it’s sure been a ride. I’m so thankful for everyone, and I’ve said this a million times, but I truly am grateful for the whole family of Supercross and Pro Motocross. Thank you to everyone.”

Aaron Plessinger ha commentato il suo weekend: “My first moto in Ridgedale went well, I made some good passes and finished up seventh. Then the second moto, I made a mistake off the start and ended up at the back, but didn’t ride to my potential in that one. Either way, it was a really positive way to finish the season together, and congratulations the team!”

Julien Beaumer, al debutto stagionale dopo nove mesi di stop e protagonista in 250SMX, ha detto: “It was a tough day. It began really well with qualifying P1, and then I started around fourth or fifth in Moto 1 and stayed there the whole race. I got a terrible start in Moto 2 and was down in the first corner, but I rode really well from there – it was just a tough track to pass on. Overall, I’m proud of our efforts, and now we’ll fly back to California and get ready for the Motocross of Nations!”

Note finali

Prado, che ha già in bacheca due titoli MXGP (2023, 2024) e due MX2 (2018, 2019), ha firmato un rinnovo contrattuale pluriennale con Red Bull KTM Factory Racing e userà l’off‑season per prepararsi al 2027. Julien Beaumer tornerà ora in California per preparare la sua partecipazione al FIM Motocross of Nations in Francia.