The North German rider from Eutin got the idea that he would like to do the same as his kindergarten chum when he was aged six. He persuaded his father Fred to give him the chance to try out a small machine. And once little Mike had started the engine for the first time, there was no stopping him. Now aged 23, he remembers fondly how it came about: "My parents had a motorcycle shop at the time and took a PW50 in part exchange for me at what was a good price. I then took it out on the farmer´s field next door and practised so hard that my father finally gave in and bought me a 50cc KTM from Bert von Zitzewitz. I was really proud of it."
The motocrosser contested his first club races for MC Malente, aged seven. A year later, not only had Mike overtaken his friend Jan-Christian, he also brought home his first trophy as North German champion in the 50cc class. "Realising that I could be so successful at such a tender age was a crazy feeling. It gave me an enormous boost. Nothing else mattered to me except motocross," he told us. The next victories were not long in coming. The young rider switched to a 65cc machine after winning his first trophy, soon becoming German Junior Champion. He followed that up with two more titles as North German champion. The ambitious young rider finished on the podium every year in the 85cc class, up to and including 2005. Mike was always one of the best riders in the North German and German Championships.
Suzuki then put the 15-year-old under contract after he had once again won the North German Championship on a 125 Husqvarna. A special permit was required, allowing him to compete in the Open Cup due to his young age. "It was a big honour but also a huge challenge. I had jumped from a 125 machine to a 450, suddenly becoming one of the big boys. That was tremendously exciting," said Mike, reminiscing about the past. He now rides for Team Castrol Power 1 Moto-Web and, along with Davide von Zitzewitz and Jon Mundhenk, is one of the few riders from the very north of Germany to have a regular place in the ADAC MX Masters line-up.
The MX star is particularly looking forward to the Masters event in Tensfeld. The 1,700-metre sandy track belonging to ADAC Schleswig-Holstein is one of his favourites in the whole series.He often practises there on Saturdays. Mike: "The track is incredibly challenging and therefore excellent for really fit riders. You have to really concentrate when riding on the sand to avoid making any mistakes, but that´s what drives me on. It´s a track that not everyone can do well on, so I hope that I will have a certain advantage here in Tensfeld as a local rider."
By the way, for some time now, he has been especially keen to share his interest in motorcycling with girl-friend Kim who is also a professional motocrosser and contests the Ladies World Championship. Mike is also supported in his endeavours by his father, Fred, his mother Angela, his sister Anna and his two half-brothers, Helge and Christoph. Mike: "What I find extremely exciting is the fact that it is a sport for individuals in which you are responsible for your own performance. It´s every man for himself, and you can only do better by improving yourself."
Mike has worked as a car mechanic since finishing school to finance race weekends. The Masters rider now has his own business and has taken over his father´s workshop where he works both on cars and on motorcycles. "I virtually eat, drink and sleep two-wheelers all day long. Either I´m busy repairing them or sitting on them in order to practise, to race or to simply clear my mind," said Mike. His goals for the coming years – to win the German championship once again, make it into the top five in the ADAC MX Masters and help bring on young, aspiring motocross riders.