The 2023 FIM Motocross World Championship moved closer to a conclusion earlier today – the fourteenth round of the term was run at the old-school track of Vantaa. Varied weather was experienced at the venue that sits near Helsinki, yet the Red Bull GASGAS Factory Racing squad responded well and continued their run of positive form with podium finishes in MXGP and MX2.
- GASGAS riders sweep MXGP and MX2 qualifying heats.
- Fourth double podium in a row for the GASGAS squad.
- Jorge Prado maintains firm grip on red plate in MXGP.
Jorge Prado started the Grand Prix by clinching pole position for the ninth time this term and carried very valuable momentum into the motos today, which were run in much drier conditions. ’61’ was third for the duration of moto one and finished just a couple of seconds from the rider in the runner-up position. There was more to cheer about in moto two; he stormed to the holeshot on his MC 450F and led from start to finish. A 3-1 scorecard was enough for second overall at the Grand Prix of Finland and, crucially, he is sat on an advantage of ninety-eight points with just five races left to run. Prado has stood on the podium at thirteen of the fourteen rounds this year.
Jorge Prado: “It was a positive weekend! I won two of the three races this weekend. I am focused on the championship, but my goal is to win when I get onto the track. The pace was good in the second moto – it was nice to lead every lap of that one. I had a lot of fun with my Red Bull GASGAS Factory Racing team this weekend, so thank you to them.”
Much like his teammate, Simon Längenfelder stormed to pole position in the MX2 division and was a real revelation in the two motos that followed the qualification heat. The same ranking, a second, was secured in each moto, yet the execution was very different each time. ‘516’ shadowed the leader to claim the spot in moto one – he was just two seconds adrift when the checkered flag flew. Although a crash on the first lap of moto two threatened to halt his podium bid, he jumped up and showcased great pace. Längenfelder charged to second and recorded lap times that were more than half a second faster than anyone else! 2-2 scores put him second overall, unsurprisingly, and helped him climb to fifth in the standings.
Simon Längenfelder: “It is very nice to have another podium! I did not expect to get back to second in moto two, but I felt so good on my MC 250F. I found some nice lines as I was coming through the field. I am going from race to race at the moment and trying to do my best with the Red Bull GASGAS Factory Racing team.”
Jorge Prado and Simon Längenfelder will take advantage of a well-earned spare weekend now. The Grand Prix of Sweden, another fixture in Northern Europe, is next on the agenda. That race will be run on August 13.
