The contestants in the ADAC MX Masters at Jauer were in fine form for Saturday´s qualifying heats. In bright sunshine, Frenchman Sébastien Pourcel (KTM Sarholz Racing Team) secured the pick of the places at tomorrow´s starting gate. The former World Championship rider prevailed against strong competition in his qualifying group with a time of 01:46.444 minutes: "I am pleased with my first pole position of the current season. However, there are ten places at the starting gate which are all good for taking the lead. I hope it rains this evening, because the track would then be perfect for me in tomorrow´s race." The 29-year-old will be especially wary of the challenge from Dennis Ullrich (KTM Sarholz Racing Team); the championship leader starts from second place and has arrived at Jauer full of confidence after recent strong performances in the World Championship: "I like this demanding circuit and have been riding well on hard surfaces this year. I´m looking to extend my championship lead here."

Ullrich left it rather late, posting his best time only 45 seconds before the end of the 30-minute qualifying session. "The track was slippery at first, so the right time to strike was just before the end," said Ullrich, explaining his qualifying strategy in Group 1. In the following heat, Pourcel benefited from the way the track was speeding up. "The key to success on Sunday is in getting off to a perfect start, because overtaking here is difficult," said Pourcel. With a strong contingent of riders from France – Boris Maillard (Monster Energy Kawasaki Elf Team Pfeil) in third place, Grégory Aranda (Kawasaki, Sturm Team Racing) in fourth place and Sulivan Jaulin (Monster Energy Kawasaki Elf Team Pfeil) in fifth place – the odds on a French podium are not bad. With two-time ADAC MX Masters Champion Marcus Schiffer (Team Suzuki Waldmann) in sixth place and local favourite Dominique Thury (Monster Energy Kawasaki Elf Team Pfeil) from Bad Schlema starting seventh, the fans are guaranteed an exciting race on Sunday.

ADAC MX Youngster Cup

18-year-old Dutch rider Calvin Vlaanderen (KTM Bodo Schmidt Motorsports) set a fastest lap time of 01:48.794 minutes on the Am Hahneberg circuit to secure the best starting place in the ADAC MX Youngster Cup: "I like the track and am confident of doing well in the races. My objective is to win twice on Sunday." Vlaanderen currently tops the junior class on 146 points. Second fastest in qualifying was 17-year-old Henry Jacobi (KTM Sarholz Racing Team) from Bad Sulza. Jacobi, who was sponsored by the ADAC Sports Foundation for three years, likes the track with its many jumps: "It gives you the chance to show how you can gain decisive seconds in the air. I´m aiming to finish on Sunday´s podium." Starting from third place is Poland´s Tomasz Wysocki (KTM). Qualifying fourth was Denmark´s Thomas Kjer Olsen (STC Racing) who currently occupies second place in the championship on 136 points.

Ladies´ Race

The women riders are back in action after proving to be such a hit in the ADAC MX Masters event at Tensfeld. 21 female riders will be contesting two races. Setting the fastest time in qualifying was Larissa Papenmeier-Picoto (Twenty Suspension Suzuki) from Bünde in North Rhine-Westphalia. Larissa is the driving force behind women´s competitive motocross on German soil: "It´s terrific fun riding here at Jauer. I hope that many more women riders will get the opportunity to compete in such a professional context in future. We are pleased that attractive prize money has been made available and that the crowds are so appreciative." Qualifying in second place was Anne Borchers (Suzuki, H.u.K. Motorsport) from Leps in Saxony-Anhalt. Third place went to Maria Franke (Monster Energy Kawasaki Elf Team Pfeil) from Zeitz, also in Saxony-Anhalt.

Programme

The top riders at the event will be signing autographs next to the ADAC Truck on Sunday between 12:15 and 12:45. Taking time out to greet the fans at Jauer are defending ADAC MX Masters champion Dennis Ullrich, his team-mate Sébastien Pourcel (both KTM Sarholz Racing Team), two-time ADAC MX Masters winner Marcus Schiffer, current second-placed Pascal Rauchenecker (Austria / Cofain Racing Team) and local favourite Dominique Thury (Monster Energy Kawasaki Elf Team Pfeil).