In 2013, the motocross career of Dennis Ullrich really blossomed. Up to this point, the 21-year-old from Saarlouis had always been in the shadow of rivals such as Max Nagl and Sébastien Pourcel, but now he had battled his way defiantly to the top of the championship table, a position he was to maintain until the end of the season. His new title - International German Motocross Champion - not only sounds grand but is one that enjoys enormous esteem on the MX scene. Since then, everything has gone just right for Dennis Ullrich. In five out of six ADAC MX Masters races this season, he immediately took the lead to secure the Red Bull Holeshot. Three of the last six races have finished with a podium appearance. And in between the ADAC MX Masters weekends, he is also causing a stir in the World Championship, most recently with a fourth place finish in the Grand Prix at Loket (Czech Republic). "I've been working a long time on optimising my performance. In recent races, I've had a great deal more confidence and have been able to assert myself against the opposition. The good results are a reward for a lot of hard training. And obviously, they spur me on to be even better."

The objective for 2014 is to retain his ADAC MX Masters title. And at the moment, it looks as if this dream is set to come true. Ullrich leads his two closest pursuers, Pascal Rauchenecker and Marcus Schiffer, by a margin of 37 points going into the last two events at Holzgerlingen and Teutschenthal, and he will be straining every sinew to preserve his lead. Also on the programme for this season is an impending trip to the Motocross of Nations in Kegums (Latvia) where Ullrich will be joining Schiffer and Nagl as one of a trio of riders representing Germany. After Ullrich crashed out of the MX highlight event in 2013 and the team had to settle for seventh place, the strong line-up this year is aiming for a Top Five finish. "2013 was my first MXoN year and I was not nearly as experienced as Max or Ken Roczen, who was the other member of the team last time. Thanks to my solid performances this year in the Masters and also in the World Championship, I am now far better able to weigh up certain situations and opponents. I think this is a great advantage."

Born in Ulm but now living in the Saarland, Ulle (as he is known in the MX scene) started out in motocross at the tender age of five. Since then, everything he does has revolved around the sport. There is little scope for alternative forms of relaxation. "Motocross is my life. I've been racing since I was fifteen years old, and since then, I've been working virtually around the clock with engines and other technical things. I've never been much of a party animal or one for going to the pub. I get most fun from jumping on my bike and accelerating away."

Ullrich did not stay beyond the official school leaving age, having attended a specialist 'Sportrealschule'. His career as a professional rider was promoted early on with a grant from the ADAC Sports Foundation. While his contemporaries were studying for their university entrance certificate, Ullrich was travelling round in a camper van, learning his trade at the racetrack. In 2008, he became German Junior Champion in the 85cc class and in 2010 won the ADAC MX Youngster Cup title. Two years later, Ulle picked up the trophy as German champion in the MX2 Championship, and in 2013, he was thrilled to gain experience of competing in his first World Championship. One major factor in his success has been the support of his coach, Thomas Kneip. The two have been working together for four years. "Before that, my father managed my training, but eventually, that proved to be a less than ideal arrangement. Thomas understands me and knows how to get the best out of me. Of course, it's not always easy to take criticism from him, but it does motivate me to do better. We analyse my mistakes together and tackle my perceived weaknesses. He gives me a lot of helpful tips based on his World Championship experience and his own career as a professional motocross rider."

Mental and moral support is forthcoming from his girlfriend Vanessa. The two have been together for one and a half years and live together in Saarlouis. "Vanessa gives me great support. When I know that she's there, it boosts my confidence." 20-year-old Vanessa is thoroughly at home in the world of motocross: she is the daughter of Ulle's coach Thomas Kneip and at a very early age accompanied her parents to racing events where she would cheer her dad on from the trackside. "Vanessa knows that motocross is the top priority for me. However, that doesn't present a problem for us, as she almost always accompanies me to events, and also the training tracks that I use are not far from our home." Occasionally, the attractive blonde manages to distract her Dennis from his sporting routine. On such days, the couple go to the cinema, do cooking together or simply chill out on the sofa and eat Dennis's favourite snack - chocolate with hazelnuts.