GASGAS Factory Racing Riders Jorge Prado, Simon Längenfelder, and Valerio Lata Keep Championship Chase Alive with Podium Finishes Across MXGP, MX2 and EMX 250 at the MXGP of Switzerland at Frauenfeld.
Jorge Prado secures a hard fought third place at the MXGP of Switzerland
Simon Längenfelder bounces back to P2 overall with 4-1 finishes
Beddini GASGAS Factory Juniors rider Valerio Lata claims victory in EMX250
Scorching qualifying heat, cooler race days, ever-changing conditions, and an awesome picture postcard backdrop – the 2024 MXGP of Switzerland at the Schweizer Zucker circuit in Frauenfeld was a weekend that kept everyone on the edge of their seats.
Better yet, as the 2024 FIM Motocross World Championship season shreds its way to an incredible conclusion in just three races time, Red Bull GASGAS Factory Racing riders Jorge Prado (MXGP) and Simon Längenfelder (MX2) are still very much on the money as championship contenders.
Leading the MXGP charge, Prado quickly stamped his dominance during qualifying, taking a hard-fought win against rivals Tim Gajser and Jeffrey Herlings. The weekend showcased ever-tightening gaps between the top riders, reflecting the blistering pace at the front. On race day, Prado launched out of the gates to secure third in the opening moto. After an intense bar-to-bar battle with Maxime Renaux, Prado chased the leading duo of Herlings and Gajser, ultimately finishing the moto in third.
In the second moto, Prado briefly took the lead but was eventually overtaken by Gajser and Herlings. By the flag, the results mirrored the first moto, and with a 3-3 score; Prado netted a P3 overall podium. In the championship standings, just 18 points separate Prado from current series leader Gajser – meaning it is all to play for in the remaining rounds.
In MX2, Simon Längenfelder bounced back from his challenging weekend in the Netherlands, finishing third overall. During qualifying Längenfelder proved to be the only rider capable of pressuring Lucas Coenen and Kay de Wolf in P1 and P2. Despite the cooler, muddier conditions on Sunday, Längenfelder fought to a hard-earned fourth in the first moto.
In the second moto, Längenfelder kicked it up a gear, seizing the lead on lap 13 and holding it to the end. The result marked his fourth win of the season and 14th career victory. His combined 4-1 results secured second overall, and added a crucial 43 points to his championship hunt.
If all that wasn’t enough, Beddini GASGAS Factory Juniors rider Valerio Lata claimed the overall victory in the EMX250 category following impressive 1-2 finishes. After a commanding win in race one, Lata battled fiercely in race two, ultimately finishing second after a tricky overtake involving a backmarker.
With 17 events complete, only three remain before the season finale in Spain in late September. Next up is the MXGP of Turkey at Afyonkarahisar on 8th September. Get on the Gas!
MXGP – #1 – Jorge Prado: “It was a tough day for me; I was struggling a bit in the first moto, dealing with some pain in my leg. Although the second moto was a bit better, I still found myself struggling. Nothing seemed to flow the way I wanted, and everything felt a little harder than usual. It was as if I was fighting against myself more than against the other guys on the track. When you’re not at 100%, it’s tough to beat them. It’s disappointing that we lost some points today, but there are still a few rounds left in the season. My focus now is on getting back to being 100% healthy so I can push hard for the championship!”
MX2 – #516 – Simon Längenfelder: “It feels great to bounce back after the tough weekend we had before. My starts weren’t ideal, but I was really pleased with my riding, especially in the second race. Getting the moto win was a big highlight, and I was really happy with how the bike performed. With this rhythm, I’m excited for the last few races of the season! A huge thank you to the team for their support – they’re doing a really awesome job!”
MXGP of Switzerland Results:
MXGP – Overall:
- Tim Gajser (Honda) 50pts
- Jeffrey Herlings (KTM) 44pts
- Jorge Prado (GASGAS) 40pts
- Mattia Guadagnini (Husqvarna) 16pts
MXGP – Moto One:
- Tim Gajser (Honda)
- Jeffrey Herlings (KTM)
- Jorge Prado (GASGAS)
- Mattia Guadagnini (Husqvarna)
MXGP – Moto Two:
- Tim Gajser (Honda)
- Jeffrey Herlings (KTM)
- Jorge Prado (GASGAS)
- Mattia Guadagnini (Husqvarna)
MXGP – Standings:
- Tim Gajser (Honda) 860pts
- Jorge Prado (GASGAS) 842pts
- Jeffrey Herlings (KTM) 818pts
- Mattia Guadagnini (Husqvarna) 260pts
MX2 – Overall:
- Kay de Wolf (Husqvarna) 50pts
- Simon Längenfelder (GASGAS) 43pts
- Liam Everts (KTM) 34pts
- Lucas Coenen (Husqvarna) 27pts
- Andrea Adamo (KTM) 19pts
- Sacha Coenen (KTM) 12pts
MX2 – Moto One:
- Kay de Wolf (Husqvarna)
- Liam Everts (KTM)
- Thibault Benistant (Yamaha)
- Simon Längenfelder (GASGAS)
- Lucas Coenen (Husqvarna)
- Andrea Adamo (KTM)
- Sacha Coenen (KTM)
MX2 – Moto Two:
- Simon Längenfelder (GASGAS)
- Karlis Alberts Reisulis (Yamaha)
- Kay de Wolf (Husqvarna)
- Liam Everts (KTM)
- Lucas Coenen (Husqvarna)
- Andrea Adamo (KTM)
- Sacha Coenen (KTM)
MX2 – Standings:
- Kay de Wolf (Husqvarna) 831pts
- Lucas Coenen (Husqvarna) 770pts
- Simon Längenfelder (GASGAS) 727pts
- Liam Everts (KTM) 681pts
- Andrea Adamo (KTM) 570pts
- Sacha Coenen (KTM) 456pts
- Marc-Antoine Rossi (GASGAS) 122pts
Photocredits Juan Pablo Acevedo
