As the 2024 FIM Motocross World Championship season rolls into sight, the Red Bull GASGAS Factory Racing team is gearing up for what promises to be an awesome season ahead.
With three top-tier riders locked and loaded, as well as a winter of intensive preparation in the books, the team is ready to go bar to bar with the competition right from the first gate drop on March 10.
Defending 2023 MXGP World Champion Jorge Prado has taken an unconventional yet effective approach to his off-season, focusing on the US-based Supercross series before returning to Europe to fine-tune his MXGP setup.
After successfully competing in four stateside races, the Spanish rider’s attention is now fully on MXGP 2024, with a comprehensive bike testing schedule, as well as a planned race before the season opener in Argentina on March 10. Better still, Jorge’s peak fitness and fired-up attitude signal that the reigning world champ is all set to pick up from where he left off in 2023.
In MX2, 20-year-old Simon Längenfelder begins his third year with the team.
The phenomenally talented German rider has competed in GASGAS colours since the manufacturer debuted in the Grand Prix series in 2020; after which, he signed to the elite Red Bull GASGAS Factory Racing awning for the 2022 FIM Motocross World Championship.
He made an immediate splash by dominating the season-opening Grand Prix of Great Britain, and then went on to secure third in the championship standings.
In 2023, Längenfelder scored a phenomenal 13 top-five finishes, nine podiums, and two wins, resulting in another third-place overall finish in the standings.
Now with a solid off-season behind him, all eyes are now on Längenfelder as he aims to improve on his already impressive back-to-back 3rd place overall championship finishes.
Newcomer to the team, and a widely tipped breakout talent of the 2023 FIM Motocross World Championship, is Marc-Antoine Rossi.
The young Frenchman stated it is a dream come true to have joined the Red Bull GASGAS Factory Racing team.
Rossi’s winter training in Belgium and Italy, under the guidance of team manager and coach Davide De Carli, has focused on enhancing his performance across different terrains. Living in Rome has brought Rossi closer to his team, creating a supportive family atmosphere.
Rossi raced in EMX250 last year and secured his maiden win in the class in Germany.
Then, at the Grand Prix of France, where he debuted in the MX2 class as a wildcard, he underlined his potential at the highest level with 8-6 scores, also proving that he will be a source of confidence as he enters his first full season.
With the season set to go live on March 10 for the MXGP of Patagonia-Argentina, the Red Bull GASGAS Factory Racing squad is looking forward to showcasing their hard work, talent, and determination on the global stage, aiming to add more victories and titles to their already impressive record. Let battle commence!
“This off-season has been completely different from the others, as I have been preparing myself for Supercross,” said world No.1 Prado.
“I have been in California for a couple of months and have completed four races. But now that I am back in Europe, my focus is on getting the bike dialled for the upcoming MXGP season.
“We were testing as soon as I got back and are putting everything together for the season now. I think we have a great package. I plan to complete one race before the first GP of the year in Argentina. For the moment, I’m feeling really good – I’m healthy and really looking forward to more training and testing in the run-up to the first race!
Team-mate Simon Längenfelder is ready to begin his third year with the team.
“We know each other really well and we know how to work together and how to get the best out of the bike,” said Längenfelder.
“I’m really happy and looking forward to the start of the 2024 season. I’ve had a great off-season, and to be honest, I have learned a lot from the past few years, so I think I can improve this year. My goals are to stay healthy all season long, keep a cool head, and show everyone what I can do. Then hopefully we will see where we end up – hopefully far out front!”
Photo courtesy Juan Pablo Acevedo, GASGAS
Find BikesportNZ.com on FACEBOOK here
