The 16,500 spectators at the ADAC MX Masters in Aichwald near Stuttgart were treated to six spectacular races in all three classes on race Sunday and even the weather was fairly settled, despite the poor forecast. World championship ace and two-time ADAC MX Masters winner Max Nagl (KMP Racing Honda) showed at the 1,755-metre 'in den Horben' grass track just how to be a top championship competitor. After his success in Saturday's qualifying session and subsequent pole position, the German again romped away from the opposition in the race.
"Actually, I don't feel too good today, as I've got quite bad stomach cramps, but I didn't want to retire after securing P1 in the first race. I had a very exciting three-way scrap in the second race with David Philippaerts (Yamaha Motor Germany, AC Motecby STC) and Dennis Ullrich (KTM Sarholz Racing Team). It was fantastic and exciting racing for the spectators," said the 26-year-old, who also won the second race, clinching overall victory on the day. World championship rider David Philippaerts was second in the day's standings and described the Aichwald fixture as excellent preparation for his next grand prix. Current ADAC MX Masters champion Dennis Ullrich lifted two Red Bull Holeshot awards and placed third, sweeping the board. His fine performance enabled him to reclaim the lead at the head of the standings.
World championship runner-up Clement Desalle from Belgium (Rockstar Energy Suzuki Europe), who likewise had originally intended to start as a guest rider at the ADAC MX Masters in Aichwald had to cancel his plans and miss the race. This was due to a hand injury sustained during the world championship race at Maggiora in Italy. Nevertheless, the international MX star was not about to miss the event completely and was at the autograph session by the ADAC Truck, fielding questions from fans. "I'm really sorry that I can't ride on this well established old-school track, because 'in den Horben' was one of the first tracks that I competed on at the start of my motocross career. I've got fond memories of that, which is why I like coming here so much," said the 25-year-old.
Local rider Lars Reuther (KTM Sarholz Racing Team) was again out of luck on his home track. He retired from the first race after a fall and was unable to find his rhythm in the second event. 73 riders in total participated in the Masters class over the weekend, providing some real motocross action. 40 of them qualified for race Sunday.
ADAC MX Youngster Cup
Sunday's ADAC MX Youngster Cup was dominated by Henry Jabobi (KTM Sarholz Racing Team). The 17-year-old won both races convincingly, securing victory on the day. In addition, he twice won the dash to Turn 1 to secure two Red Bull holeshots and can look forward to lucrative spot prizes from the energy drink manufacturer. "I've achieved something today that I would never have thought possible, as Calvin Vlaanderen (KTM Bodo Schmidt Motorsports) is usually much faster than me. But in motor sport, the cards are dealt afresh for each race, you know, and today was my lucky day. This was mainly due to my two excellent starts without which things would certainly have been more difficult," said the German KTM rider happily.
Czech rider Vaclav Kovar (KTM rider) was second overall. The 18-year-old looked almost a bit shy as he stepped down from the podium, saying, "I really had to fight very hard but am incredibly proud of my performance. Achieving such a good result in a strong field of riders like this is not something I take for granted." The Dane Thomas Kjer Olsen (STC Racing) was third. 88 riders in total took part in the ADAC MX Youngster Cup, but only 40 of them went through after qualifying to line up at the starting gate.
ADAC MX Youngster Cup
Both ADAC MX Junior Cup races developed into a real tussle between the leader in the standings Mikkel Haarup from Denmark (MEFO Sport Racing Team, KTM) and rival Kim Savaste from Finland (KTM Red Bull Factory). While 12-year-old Haarup edged in front in the first race, 14-year-old Savaste won the second event, securing vital points at this race weekend in Baden-Württemberg with an overall win on the day, making up for points lost due to a fall in the ADAC MX Masters at Ried in Austria.
"The track was not easy for me and the scrap with Mikkel also put me under a fair bit of pressure," the Scandinavian rider told us. His closest rival at the moment also saw things in a similar light: "Kim and I push each other hard, so it usually gets very hectic. It's quite a lot of fun - especially if you can quickly find your rhythm as I did today," said the young gun from Silkeborg. Swiss rider Maurice Chanton (KTM rider) joined the podium party in third place. 76 young trainee riders took part in qualifying in the ADAC MX Junior Cup. Just like in the other two classes, 40 of the youngest motocrossers in the series lined up ready for the off on race Sunday.
The fourth round of the ADAC MX Masters will take place on the weekend of July 19th-20th at the Tensfeld track in Schleswig-Holstein not far from Plön. North German local riders Davide von Zitzewitz (Bvz Racing Team), Jon Mundhenk (Kawasaki rider) and Mike Stender (Team Castrol Power 1 Moto Web) are already looking forward to the only fixture to be staged in their home region. What´s particularly challenging about the event – the 1,700-metre sandy track run by ADAC Schleswig-Holstein brings many participants to the limits of their strength by its very nature with deep furrows and ruts.