The Spaniard will race the first three rounds of the 2024 AMA Supercross starting January 6 in Anaheim, wearing the #111, a mystical number with a ton of history. Rookies in the USA are obligated to use a three-digit number on their pro debut, that´s why Prado will use the #111 instead of the typical #61.
Typically the #111 has been reserved by the AMA for visitors from the Motocross World Championship, some, like Prado, were world champions at the time of their arrival in the United States. This tradition began with Roger DeCoster’s visits in the mid-1970s when Europeans were invited by the promoter of the Trans-AMA series; one of the first motocross championships in the United States. DeCoster used several other numbers on his visits to the USA such as #6, #17, #69 and #104, but #111 was the most popular among American fans.
Jean Michel-Bayle, on his well-remembered visit to the United States in 1989, chose the #111 in honor of DeCoster who helped him on his long-awaited journey that concluded with two AMA Pro Motocross victories in the 250cc and 500cc classes in the same year after six rounds in the AMA Supercross 250cc.
In 1992 Stefan Everts tried his luck in five rounds of AMA Supercross riding for Suzuki and with the #111 classic. Years later, South African Greg Albertyn, also with Suzuki, made his full-time debut in the United States in 1995, and chose to ride the #111 for the entire season in representations of his three world championships: 1992 (125cc), 1993 -94 (250cc).
Another South African to be given the popular #111 in the United States was Grant Langston in 2001. Langston decided to keep this number until 2003 before moving to #8.
Australians Jay Marmont (2006) and Dean Ferris (2014) had a brief run in AMA Supercross. Coincidentally both rode for KTM Red Bull with the #111.
Finally the arrival of Jorge Prado to AMA Supercross as the reigning MXGP World Champion will revive this mythical tradition during Anahem 1, San Francisco and San Diego.
