Can't Get Out of Kawasaki Deal? "Contractual situation with his current team" keeps Prado from MXoN
Team Spain has announced its three-rider roster for the upcoming Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations, now just one month away. Rubén Fernández (MXGP), Guillem Farrés (MX2), and Francisco García ‘Carbonero’ (Open) will complete the roster, which does not include Jorge Prado's name. Prado is near the end of his first year of a three-year deal with Monster Energy Kawasaki...but it sounds like that deal could be ending early. Prado's first summer in the U.S. did not go to plan, and he often did not hold back in explaining that he wasn't comfortable on the motorcycle. Jason Weigandt explained some details in this recent article.
At the end of the Pro Motocross campaign, Prado posted about his season, which led to quite a few pointed comments. So he later posted again to try to explain his further.
As for Team Spain's situation, the press release notes that “young Francisco García ‘Carbonero’ will make his debut, joining the team to cover for the last-minute withdrawal of Jorge Prado, who will not be able to participate due to his contractual situation with his current team.”
What we can surmise here is that Prado is trying to get out of his Kawasaki deal in time for this race and wanted to compete for Spain on another bike. Considering the MXoN is under FIM rules, he could presumably even get back onto the works bike he won two MXGP World Championships with, but in order to do that he needs to get out of his Monster Energy Kawasaki contract early and make a new deal with KTM, GasGas or Husqvarna to get back on familiar Austrian equipment.
Looks like that didn't happen.
The following press release is from Real Federación Motociclista Española:
The Real Federación Motociclista Española has already selected its team for the 2025 Motocross of Nations (MXON), which will be held in Indiana, USA, on 3, 4 and 5 October.
The three riders who make up the Spanish team and will be fighting for glory at the Ironman Raceway in Crawfordsville are:
Rubén Fernández – MXGP
Guillem Farrés – MX2
Francisco García ‘Carbonero’ – OPEN
Rubén Fernández will captain Team Spain, which will make its debut in the MXGP category at this prestigious international event, with a great opportunity to demonstrate its potential among the world's MX elite.
Meanwhile, Guillem Farrés will compete in the MX2 category, having had a brilliant season, achieving his first podium and a race victory. Finally, in the Open category, young Francisco García ‘Carbonero’ will make his debut, joining the team to cover for the last-minute withdrawal of Jorge Prado, who will not be able to participate due to his contractual situation with his current team.
With this line-up, Spain is once again backing a young and ambitious team that will travel to the US with the intention of fighting for a great result. The three riders will have the logistical support of their respective brands and official teams.
National team manager Paco Rico states that:
"Since the race in Lommel, we had already decided on the MXON 2025 team and finalised all the agreements with the teams to organise the logistics in the United States. Although the three selected riders had not had any setbacks, we did have to deal with health problems and injuries to other riders on my list, as well as the last-minute withdrawal of Jorge, who was of course on the team but will ultimately not be able to be on the grid.
Even so, I am convinced that we have a great team. Rubén takes on the captaincy with the challenge of proving his level in MXGP; I have complete confidence in Guillem, who I know can do a great job with the 250 in such a demanding race; and Francisco arrives with youth and hunger, which makes him a key player for us. I will have to reassure him rather than push him, because I know he will give 100% at all times.
I would like to give special thanks to Honda, Triumph and Kawasaki for their support, as well as to the RFME, for making it possible for this young and competitive team to represent Spain in the world's biggest motocross event."
