Jorge Prado: “This is the happiest that he’s been”
While there’s no direct quote from Jorge Prado stating “this is the happiest that he’s been,” his recent reflections offer strong hints of renewed passion and mood uplift.
Prado’s transition to AMA Pro Motocross in the U.S. has been challenging—adjusting to new tracks, team dynamics, and recovering from a shoulder injury. Yet he’s visibly improved in confidence. After suffering an injury at Anaheim 2, he shared, “Happy to be back riding. I love the sport, so it’s like a little kid” . That sentiment captures a genuine joy and enthusiasm resurfacing, even amid adversity.
Further, during a post-race interview at Southwick (the fifth round of 2025 Pro Motocross), Prado expressed optimism despite tough crashes: “I need to adapt, because this is what I have right now” . It’s not a victory shout, but it’s a grounded confidence—valuing the process and embracing the moment.
He also reflected on early Pro Motocross results realistically: starting his U.S. stint with “respectable 7-6 scorecard” at Fox Raceway even as he hopes such performances are a thing of the past . That kind of maturity and acceptance—coupled with glimpses of his old speed—aligns with him experiencing some of his happiest moments in the sport.
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Ian Harrison & KTM: Navigating Rider Drama and Machine Evolution
Ian Harrison, Team Manager for Red Bull KTM, has been candid in interviews about the internal shuffle and development pains. Reflecting on the off-season heading into Anaheim 1 Supercross 2023, Harrison admitted they had to “start with a blank page,” stripping back settings and developing the bike from scratch using MotoGP data and multiple riders’ feedback .
Working with five riders, each with different setups, didn’t simplify things. As he noted: “we kind of just let it go… the bike has a pretty broad setting base, but if you go extreme one way or the other you can definitely fall off the edge” . That balancing act speaks volumes about the behind-the-scenes drama of managing elite riders, individual preferences, and fast-tracked developments.
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Lars Lindstrom & Honda: Drama, Pressure & MXoN Glory
Lars Lindstrom, the USA-based Honda HRC manager, offered a contrasting slice of drama—the kind that ends in triumph.
Following Team Australia’s stunning Motocross of Nations (MXoN) victory, featuring Jett and Hunter Lawrence alongside Kyle Webster, Lindstrom reflected on the sheer logistical pressure: pulling together ready-to-race bikes on short notice, managing part supply, and working in tandem with both Honda global and the Australian team “was super, super heavy for everybody involved” .
Notably, the final moto boiled down to a nail-biter: Tim Gajser pulled off a last-lap pass on Jett Lawrence, stirring last-minute suspense over podium placements—something Lars described as “tense… because we weren’t exactly sure the score” .
Yet Lindstrom’s tone remains positive and proud, insisting that neither pressure nor nerves knocked the riders off. “I don’t know if Jett even gets nervous. If he is, it doesn’t really show very well.” He added that Hunter’s self-belief is “more than pretty much anyone I’ve ever met” . That calm under pressure—and the resultant MXoN win—speaks to high drama handled with composure and a winning edge.
Wrap-Up: What It All Means
Collectively, these snippets give us a textured look inside elite-level motorsport—riders pushing through injury and adaptation, managers juggling development and personalities, and final moto dramatics resolved on razor-thin margins.
- Jorge Prado—though not overtly declaring “happiness,” is clearly rediscovering his love, riding “like a little kid,” rebuilding momentum, and embracing the process—even when it’s messy.
- Ian Harrison (KTM) is in the thick of machine evolution and rider comfort zones. Creating coherence from disparate setups shows the tension beneath the mechanics and managerial side of racing.
- Lars Lindstrom (Honda) offers us a behind-the-scenes view of championship-level drama—but also management that handles crunch-time pressure with grace, resulting in triumphant outcomes.
Together, these stories shine a light on the emotional landscapes and strategic battles that fuel elite competition—unseen, yet essential. If you’d like, I can explore specific race recaps, rider profiles, or dive deeper into team strategies next.
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