Dual MX2 world champion Jorge Prado says he experienced a pain-free weekend in his maiden premier class outing in the MXGP World Championship at Matterley Basin, the Spaniard still recovering from a broken femur sustained just three months ago.

Prado only returned to riding two week’s prior to the British grand prix, prompting the teenager to have low expectations for the beginning of his rookie season.

The 19-year-old managed to put together a respectable scorecard in demanding conditions, racing to 9-13 moto results for 10th overall.

“I’m a world champion so finishing 10th is not something I am used to – the last two years have been really good,” Prado explained. “But if I look at it the other way and after just two weeks of riding then I have to feel very happy about today.

“I didn’t have any pain and I have been working hard – this was the best I could do. I would say that last 6-7 minutes and two laps of the second moto were quite hard. The track was super-rough and I was pretty tired.

“I did not want to crash, and the sun was very low. First race of the season, first race with the 450 and the last time I raced was in Assen – what a weekend.”

Prado’s teammate Jeffrey Herlings (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) ultimately opened the season with victory, the championship now heading to Valkenswaard in the Netherlands.