The Red Bull GASGAS Factory Racing team has just completed their most successful Grand Prix of the 2023 FIM Motocross World Championship, as Simon Langenfelder swept both MX2 motos aboard his MC 250F and Mattia Guadagnini scored a maiden podium in the MXGP class. The squad was «on the gas» in every sense of the word, as countless fans flocked to the Spanish fixture to catch a glimpse of Jorge Prado in action on home turf.
- Simon Langenfelder takes first Grand Prix victory of 2023.
- Mattia Guadagnini puts MC 450F on podium for first time.
- Jorge Prado maintains grip on red plate at home Grand Prix.
It had been over a year since Langenfelder last won a Grand Prix, but he was never going to be denied at the Grand Prix of Spain. It took no time at all for him to jump into the lead in the first moto and he controlled the race from that point on; eight seconds was his final margin of victory. The second moto was even more special, unbelievably, as he took the holeshot and led all laps en route to an advantage of fifteen seconds. The Grand Prix win – the second of his young career – catapulted him to fourth in the series standings. Four points separates him from the rider in third.
Simon Langenfelder: «A Grand Prix win is always so special! My first podium of 2022 was via 1-1 scores and the same has happened this year. That is always really nice! I am happy with my starts and that I stayed on top for the whole of both motos. Being the fastest is always nice.«
Those who have paid close attention to Mattia Guadagnini’s recent progress wouldn’t be surprised by his strong showing on Spanish soil, as he has taken huge strides aboard his MC 450F in recent weeks. ‘101’ started second in moto one and actually claimed the lead after a handful of laps – he led for six laps in the middle of the race before eventually settling for third. Guadagnini featured in the top three for the whole of moto two too, as he battled with the eventual Grand Prix winner before securing third again. 3-3 scores were enough for second in the overall classification, his first MXGP podium.
Jorge Prado tied for third overall at his home Grand Prix, but the tiebreak meant that he was classified in fourth. Starting in the lower half of the top five in the first moto, he was very impressive as he sliced through the field and eventually took second place with just a couple of laps to go. The second moto was made trickier by an even worse start, unfortunately, but he did all he could and salvaged fifth at the checkered flag. 2-5 scores put him in fourth overall, as stated previously, and helped him maintain his grip on the red plate in the premier division. Six points is his current advantage.
Mattia Guadagnini: «What a weekend! I have been wanting this podium for a while because I could see that my speed was getting better and better. I need to thank the team for their support and sticking behind me. Both motos were really good today, with great starts, so I want to keep this up.«
Jorge Prado: «It was an okay weekend. My starts were not that good today, but I kept charging. I had really good pace in the first moto. My start was even worse in the second moto and it was hard to make passes – the track was very challenging. It was still a very special weekend, with the spectators, and I have the red plate heading into the next round, which is important.«
It is time for Red Bull GASGAS Factory Racing to return to their base now, as there will not be a round of the 2023 FIM Motocross World Championship this coming weekend. The next fixture will be run in France on May 21.
Download high-res images of our racers in action at the Grand Prix of Spain here.
Results – 2023 FIM Motocross World Championship, Round Six
MXGP – Overall
1. Jeffrey Herlings (KTM) 50pts
2. Mattia Guadagnini (GASGAS) 40pts
3. Ruben Fernandez (Honda) 38pts
4. Jorge Prado (GASGAS) 38pts
MXGP – Moto One
1. Jeffrey Herlings (KTM)
2. Jorge Prado (GASGAS)
3. Mattia Guadagnini (GASGAS)
MXGP – Moto Two
1. Jeffrey Herlings (KTM)
2. Ruben Fernandez (Honda)
3. Mattia Guadagnini (GASGAS)
5. Jorge Prado (GASGAS)
MXGP – Standings
1. Jorge Prado (GASGAS) 294pts
2. Jeffrey Herlings (KTM) 288pts
3. Ruben Fernandez (Honda) 224pts
9. Mattia Guadagnini (GASGAS) 186pts
MX2 – Overall
1. Simon Langenfelder (GASGAS) 50pts
2. Jago Geerts (Yamaha) 44pts
3. Andrea Adamo (KTM) 36pts
MX2 – Moto One
1. Simon Langenfelder (GASGAS)
2. Jago Geerts (Yamaha)
3. Thibault Benistant (Yamaha)
MX2 – Moto Two
1. Simon Langenfelder (GASGAS)
2. Jago Geerts (Yamaha)
3. Andrea Adamo (KTM)
MX2 – Standings
1. Jago Geerts (Yamaha) 319pts
2. Andrea Adamo (KTM) 271pts
3. Kay de Wolf (Husqvarna) 263pts
4. Simon Langenfelder (GASGAS) 259pts