Suzuki works rider and championship leader Glenn Coldenhoff (Team Rockstar Energy Suzuki Europe) is one of the top riders and will be aiming to benefit from his home advantage in Lichtenvoorde in the Netherlands (Gelderland Province). MACL Lichtenvoorde, well-known for its high-profile motocross events, is staging the International German Motocross Championship for the first time in its history. The old-established 1.6 km track which is a mix of sand and hard ground, held a round of the first Motocross World Championship way back in 1957 and is located in Emmerich, just 20 kilometres from the German border.
Coldenhoff is the favourite in the main classification in the battle for the world championship riders’ title. Riding in his homeland, the sand specialist from the nearby town of Heesch will come up against German defending champion Dennis Ullrich (21/Team Castrol Power1 Suzuki Moto-Base) from Kämpfelbach. Ullrich is placed second in the overall standings with a deficit of 51 points. If Coldenhoff can maintain his points lead or increase it even further, he could be crowned ADAC MX Masters champion this weekend before the end of the season. “I’m looking forward to the upcoming fixture in Lichtenvoorde. I’ve failed to achieve victory on the day this season, and it’s finally time to secure it. I’ve often ridden here and know the track very well. I can’t think of a better way to take the championship than with a win in front of my home crowd,” said 24-year-old Coldenhoff. Swiss rider Jeremy Seewer (21) rounds off the top group composed of Coldenhoff and Ullrich. The third-place finisher from the previous year also lines up for Rockstar Energy Suzuki Europe. The 2013 European vice-champion in the 250cc class reduced the gap to four points recently in Ried/Austria and is consequently the current champion’s main rival. Pascal Rauchenecker (22/HSV Ried/Cofain Racing KTM) is placed fourth in the standings. The Austrian is always good for a top-notch finish. The first ADAC MX Junior Cup champion, world championship rider Ceriel Klein Kromhof (24/HSF Logistics Motorsport) from Daarlerveen and fellow world championship rider Rick Satink (21/GDI Techniek) from Hengevelde are also podium contenders.
ADAC MX Youngster Cup
In the ADAC MX Youngster Cup class, Brian Hsu (17/Team Rockstar Energy Suzuki Europe) continues to set the benchmark for riders aged 15 to 21. After his previous successes this season, the current leader in the championship is the prime candidate to win in the Netherlands. With a lead of 80 points, he also intends to take a title win before season’s end. The form of Dutch teenager Bas Vaessen (17/Team Rockstar Energy Suzuki Europe) is not to be underestimated either. He won the trophy for third place at the last race meeting and will now do everything in his power to score points again in his homeland. He will be faced with competition from the equally strong South African, Nicholas Adams (18/Monster Energy Kawasaki Elf Team Pfeil), who took victory on the day in Ried/Austria last weekend. His team-mate Arminas Jasikonis (17) from Lithuania, who has had to miss two race meetings due to injury, will also be fighting to finish on the podium again. Spectators at the event can look forward to seeing another exceptionally talented rider in action, when the 65cc world champion, 14-year-old Jorge Prado Garcia (KTM Factory Juniors) from Spain, lines up with the youngsters. Hsu on 276 points heads the overall standings, followed by Adams with 196. German rider Stefan Ekerold (19/Bodo Schmidt Motorsport) from Weiskirchen on 189 points shows that he is a force to be reckoned with. Jasikonis on 169 points is in fourth place.
ADAC MX Junior Cup
The ADAC MX Junior Cup is a talent factory for young riders aged ten to 15. In the Junior Cup, Danish titleholder Mikkel Haarup (13/KTM Kosak Racing Team) currently has a lead of just ten points on Jeremy Sydow (Falcon Motorsports) from Chemnitz, who won the 85cc German Motocross championship before season’s end. 15-year-old Sydow, who comfortably claimed victory on the day on his last outing in Ried/Austria will again aim to challenge the defending champion this weekend. Petr Polak (14/MEFO Sport Racing Team) from the Czech Republic and Austrian René Hofer are also very capable of taking top positions. Dutch teenager Rick Elzinga (13/Beursfoon KTM Youth Team) will likewise try to use his home advantage and ride with the front-runners. As regards the points, Haarup is in first place in the championship standings with 184, followed by Sydow on 174. Polak is placed third with 144 points.
Support programme
The ADAC MX Masters, now in its eleventh season, is an event for the whole family. The admission price (a weekend ticket bought in advance costs 20 euros with free entry for children under sixteen) includes the use of the ADAC Young Generation Suzuki Quad track and the ADAC Insurance bouncy castle, entry to a fan zone with motocross stalls and an autograph session at the ADAC Truck with the top riders on Sunday at 12.15 pm. Coldenhoff, Ullrich, Seewer, Rauchenecker and Angus Heidecke (KTM Sarholz Racing Team) will take time out to be with their fans in Lichtenvoorde.