Cycle News Staff | July 27, 2021
Prado, Guadagnini Rule MXGP of Czech Republic
Photos by Ray Archer and ShotByBavo
RedBull KTM factory riders Jorge Prado and Mattia Guadagnini came away with the MXGP and MX2 wins at the MXGP of Czech Republic (Loket), July 25, round five of the MXGP series. There was a different winner in each of the four motos, but it was the KTM duo who were the most consistent on the day.
Jorge Prado captured his first MXGP victory of the year at Loket, Czech Republic.
Prado traded moto wins with teammate Antonio Cairoli in MXGP. Prado edged out defending champ Tim Gajser in the first moto, taking the checkers less than a second ahead of the Honda rider, Gajser, after leading the whole way. Romain Febvre (Kawasaki), Glenn Coldenhoff (Yamaha) and Jeremy Seewer (Yamaha) rounded out the top five.
Team HRC’s Tim Gajser finished sixth overall at the MXGP of the Czech Republic.
In moto two, Cairoli, who had a bad start in moto one, had a much better jump in moto two and ran off with the win after passing holeshotter Prado on the first lap, crossing the finish line 4.3 seconds ahead of Seewer for his third moto win of the season. Prado was another three seconds back in third, followed by Coldenhoff and Italian Ivo Monticelli (Kawasaki).
Prado’s 1-3 was good enough to give him his first win of the season. Cairoli was second overall and Seewer third.
Tony Cairoli with Jorge Prado on his heels.
Jeremy Seewer, who has not missed a single Grand Prix in his eight years as a pro racer, put in two solid performances and finished in the fifth and second positions for third overall.
Gajser finished 15th in the second moto after a hard get-off but still leads the championship over Cairoli, 194-183. Prado is third with 177, just three points ahead of Febvre.
Gaudagnini led the whole way in the first MX2 moto and held off teammate Tom Vialle at the end, finishing just 2.6 seconds ahead of the Frenchman, Vialle.
Mattia Guadagnini wins his second MX2 Grand Prix of the season.
Australian Jed Beaton (Husqvarna) was third another two seconds back. Spain’s Ruben Fernandez (Honda) and Frenchman Maxime Renaux (Yamaha) rounded out the top five.
Thibault Benistant, of France, won moto two with room to spare over fellow Yamaha rider Renaux. Jago Geerts (Yamaha) was third, followed by Austria’s Rene Hofer (KTM) and Guadagnini, who recovered after a bad start.
Thibault Benistant claimed his second-ever MX2 race victory ahead of teammates Maxime Renaux and Jago Geerts.
Jago Geerts
Maxime Renaux
Guadgnini’s 1-5 was good enough for the overall win, followed by Renaux (5-2) and Benistant (9-1).
Renaux leads the MX2 Championship but not by much. Just two points separate him from Guadagnini. Fernandez is third, another 12 points back.
Jorge Prado enjoys his moment on the center step of the MXGP podium and is flanked by Antonio Cairoli on his right and Jeremy Seewer on his left.
VIDEO |2021 MXGP of Czech Republic Highlights
MXGP Overall:
- Jorge Prado (KTM)
- Antonio Cairoli (KTM)
- Jeremy Seewer (Yam)
- Glenn Coldenhoff (Yam)
- Romain Febvre (Kaw)
MX2 Overall:
- Mattia Guadagnini (KTM)
- Maxime Renaux (Yam)
- Thibault Benistant (Yam)
- Jed Beaton (Hus)
- Ruben Fernandez (Hon)
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