If you love your bike, you look after it - that's the golden rule for motocrossers who are keen to keep their machines that might be worth a minimum of 8,000 euros in good order for as long as possible. Servicing individual components regularly reduces wear and decreases the risk of accidents. During race weekends, motorcycles are generally washed after each run in a specially constructed wash station. At home, the rider then usually disassembles everything once again, removing every scrap of debris from the tiniest corner either by hand or by using a pressure washer, lubricates the chain and cleans the brakes.

However, not everyone washes his bike himself. There are clear hierarchies in this procedure that do not always depend on factors like age, status or class. Basically, some prefer to have the job done by someone else, while in the case of certain riders, the job is automatically taken on by his mechanic and there are even some who insist on doing all work on their motorcycles themselves. As far as 2013 ADAC MX Junior Cup Champion Glen Meier is concerned, bike washing is something to be done with the aid of his father. "Actually, I always try to clean it myself, but my dad takes over this task at races so that I can concentrate fully on performing well," said the Danish rider, who is contesting the ADAC MX Youngster Cup this year.

For 16-year-old Vincent Gallwitz, it is also a question of style, lining up at the start with a clean bike. Hailing from the same town as supermodel Claudia Schiffer, (Rheinberg NRW), the ADAC MX Youngster Cup rider told us: "I'm of the opinion that there are no bad bikes, but only people who look after them badly. People who are sloppy with their things put themselves in a bad light. Since I train mainly on sand, the question has never arisen of whether I wash the bike or not. I do it as a matter of course."

The two ADAC MX Youngster Cup riders Brian Hsu and Henry Jacobi both have similar views. The two motocrossers always like to make sure that their machines are in perfect condition, which is why they are so meticulous with cleaning. "The sponsors' names must always be clearly legible, so bike washing must be done thoroughly. My father normally does this job now, because something usually gets broken when I do it," said17-year-old Henry with a chuckle. Mika Kordbarlag has already had the same experience. The class two rider's machine fell over accidentally while he was washing it, damaging one of his brake levers. The 17-year-old from Schloss Hulte-Stukenbrock near Bielefeld told us: "I insist on cleaning my bike myself at home, as I'm much fussier than my father and do it more thoroughly."

However, for ADAC MX Masters rider Jeremy Seewer, bike washing is a pretty irksome task. The Swiss rider is happy when his mechanic or his father does the job for him. "I've always hated it. It's a mucky job that I just don't like," said the 19-year-old candidly. Toni Wolff simply cannot understand his attitude. The 28-year-old, who is currently training to be a car mechanic, does everything on his machine himself, including the cleaning!