The ADAC MX Masters at North Germany's Tensfeld circuit on the weekend of 19th and 20th July was quite something with its demanding deep sand, summer heat and many top sand specialists in attendance. Although at 26 degrees, race Sunday was two degrees cooler than the previous day, consistently high temperatures were still a major factor. Due to the enormous physical effort required, riders soon showed signs of fatigue and a high degree of concentration was required over the 1,830-metre track run by MCE Tensfeld in Schleswig-Holstein. ADAC MX Masters rider Marcus Schiffer (Team Suzuki Waldmann) again proved in qualifying on Saturday that he is undoubtedly one of the top specialists on sand. Once again in Sunday's races, the rider from the Cologne metropolis proved his ability to easily leave strong competition from the Netherlands and Belgium trailing in his wake. While he twice had to work his way back up to the front from P25 after two crashes and a poor start in the first race to ultimately place sixth, the two-time ADAC MX Masters winner took a comfortable victory in the second race. The final result overall for him - victory on the day at Tensfeld in Schleswig-Holstein. The 26-year-old told us: "I used up a great deal of energy in one go during the first race but was better able to pace myself and find my rhythm in Race 2. I just feel really at ease in the sand. I think I've proved that today."

ADAC Motorcycle Press Officer Dieter Junge commented on events as follows: "We showed today that our German riders can easily hold their own against top riders from the Netherlands, which, of course, makes me very proud. Plus, I think the way the club prepared the track was excellent. Everywhere stayed relatively dust-free despite the heat. What's also remarkable is just how well those helping handled the materials they were given to work with."

With a 14th and a 15th place in the two races, Masters rider Mike Stender from Eutin (Team Castrol Power 1 Moto Web) had the best points tally at the end of the day of the North German riders in attendance. Visibly exhausted but relieved, the 23-year-old told us: "I almost cried under my helmet at the end because I thought I would be unable to contest the second race. It was so exhausting, I went to the absolute limit of what I could stand. The track here was not nearly as taxing in practice, so I found that the races were on a completely different level and I'm just pleased to have achieved what are good results for me."

ADAC MX Youngster Cup

In the ADAC MX Youngster Cup, South African-born Dutch rider Calvin Vlaanderen (KTM Bodo Schmidt Motorsports) was back on top form in Tensfeld after his bad luck at the last Masters event in Aichwald. With a second place in Race 1 and P1 in the second race, the 18-year-old secured victory on the day, achieving everything that he had hoped for at this race weekend, defeating his toughest competitor Luca Nijenhuis (MX Promotion / Gebben Racing, Kawasaki) and taking over the lead in the standings. "It seems like I was born to ride on sand, but actually, I much prefer a hard track," said the new leader in the overall standings with a chuckle. Dutch rider Luca Nijenhuis was second, while third place went to Arminias Jasikonis from Lithuania (Steel Mustang Racing, KTM). The ADAC MX Youngster Cup races were less successful as far as North German riders were concerned. Nico Busch from Nützen near Bad Segeberg (Bvz Racing Team) was second to last in his class but was nevertheless relieved to finish the second race after failing to complete Race 1.

Ladies' Race

As in qualifying, current championship leader Kiara Fontanesi (Yamaha rider) also remained unbeaten in the races. The Italian had a lead of 38 seconds in the first race and was 24 seconds ahead of her rivals in the second heat. However, the top rider was unable to match her personal best time from qualifying. In the second race, the 20-year-old was a full 20 seconds slower than on Saturday. "I had no one to push me nor was there anyone that I could measure my progress against, which is why it was very difficult for me to maintain my pace," said Fontanesi. German rider Anne Borchers (H. u K Motorsport, Suzuki), who is currently placed eighth in the world championship standings, finished second on the podium. Ladies' race co organiser Larissa Papenmeier-Picoto from North Rhine-Westphalia (Twenty Suspension Suzuki) was third. The championship runner-up from 2009 commented: "Our field of riders was very strong and every participant did well here in Tensfeld. I'm proud of my girls." Annika Richter from Leck (Bvz Racing Team) was the best North German rider. It was a real honour for the local rider to race against top international competitors, as the 14-year-old told us: "I've never ever lined up against MX greats such as Kiara Fontanesi before. That motivated me enormously and at the same time also made me faster."

The European motocross elite will meet up again in Jauer to the north-east of Dresden on the weekend of 9th-10th August. Local Masters rider Dominique Thury (Monster Energy Kawasaki Elf Team Pfeil) will be in the line-up for the fifth round of eight events in total. The 21-year-old honed his jumping skills on the 1,700-metre Am Hahneberg clay track and intends to use his home advantage to secure points on the slopes where he trains: "I know the many demanding sections and table tops better than the competition. Consequently, I will go all out to use that to my benefit and finish in the Top Ten," said the motocrosser. MC Jauer ev will be staging the event that constitutes a round of Europe's most popular motocross series for only the second time this year. Last year's debut attracted more than 7,000 spectators.