Race Direction penalises Jorge Prado for obscene gesture at Salt Lake City
The penalty marks the latest escalation in a series of confrontations between Prado and rival Cooper Webb during the 2026 Monster Energy Supercross season
SuperMotocross World Championship rider Jorge Prado has been assessed a fine and docked one rider licence point following an incident at the Round 17 race in Salt Lake City, Utah. The disciplinary action was imposed after Race Direction reviewed footage and determined that Prado violated the code of conduct by extending his middle finger toward rival Cooper Webb immediately after the finish line.
The infraction occurred following a podium finish for Prado, who placed third in the event. He completed the race six-tenths of a second ahead of Webb, securing the position that prompted the gesture. SMX Media confirmed that the review took place in section 8 after the finish line, resulting in the official penalty for the use of an obscene hand gesture during the competition.
This incident represents the most recent development in a recurring dispute between the two competitors throughout the 2026 Monster Energy Supercross season. The tension between the riders has been evident in several previous events, with SMX Media noting a history of contact and aggressive racing tactics employed by both parties in recent rounds.
In the preceding round held in Denver, Webb attempted a block pass on Prado, a manoeuvre that resulted in a crash for the American rider and a sixth-place finish for Prado. Earlier in the season at Detroit, the two riders made contact on the track, an incident that saw Prado finish 13th while Webb secured sixth place.
Following the Salt Lake City race, Prado addressed the ongoing rivalry, describing Webb as aggressive and suggesting that the rival would have passed him if he were significantly faster. Prado expressed a desire to improve his performance next year so that he does not need to engage in such confrontations, stating that he focuses on himself rather than fighting with Webb.
The specific monetary value of the fine imposed on Prado has not been disclosed in available reports. While the exact duration of the gesture prior to the post-race review is not detailed, the penalty stands as a formal sanction from Race Direction for the breach of the code of conduct.
