The final race weekend of the 2015 ADAC MX Masters season opened on Saturday with an exciting qualifying session at the Gaildorf track in Baden-Württemberg. The top-class starting field for Europe's most popular motocross series was dominated by Frenchman Grégory Aranda (25, Storm Racing Team) who claimed his first pole of the campaign for Sunday's races in the season finale. The two Red Bull Iceone Husqvarna Factory Racing riders Nathan Watson (21) from England and Max Nagl (28) from Germany took places two and three.
On the 1,650-metre Auf der Wacht track, reigning ADAC Supercross champion Aranda clocked the best time, having last done so in 2014: "This is my first pole of the season and I am very happy about this fantastic result on the final weekend. The circuit is very demanding and makes great technical demands. I was only able to cope with all the jumps after training so hard in recent weeks. In the races, I'll try to assert myself against the strong international competition so as to pick up a trophy at the end of the day and ensure that my team finishes the season on a high note." After claiming second place in the Sunday standings on his previous outing at Lichtenvoorde, Watson qualified ahead of his German team-mate Max Nagl. The two-time ADAC MX Masters champion clearly enjoyed his return after injury: "I'm feeling great! I am pleased to be revving up again, and I've been using every opportunity presented by the free practice sessions to have a say in the destination of the world championship title. I'm very satisfied with this third place, and the final motos of the ADAC MX Masters are always an experience which is worth getting on your bike for." Nagl still has fond memories of being overall winner on Sunday in the season opener in Drehna. Tomorrow's two races will decide the destination of the other top trophies in the competition. As was to be expected, qualifying was also an exciting three-way battle between the contenders for the runner-up spot. Germany's Dennis Ullrich (21, Team Castrol Power1 Suzuki Moto-Base), who took the ADAC MX Masters title in 2013 and 2014, is still in a position to frustrate the ambitions of Switzerland's Jeremy Seewer (21, Team Rockstar Energy Suzuki Europe) and Austria's Pascal Rauchenecker (22, Cofain Racing KTM / HSV Ried). Seewer booked fourth place at the starting gate, while Rauchenecker lines up in fifth and Ullrich in seventh.
ADAC MX Youngster Cup
In the ADAC MX Youngster Cup, Arminas Jasikonis (17, Monster Energy Kawasaki Elf Team Pfeil) from Lithuania took pole in impressive fashion. The Kawasaki rider thus beat Brian Hsu (17, Team Rockstar Energy Suzuki Europe) who was clear favourite after lifting the ADAC MX Youngster Cup ahead of time; the new champion posted the fourth fastest time. "I've recovered now and am feeling super," said Jasikonis, who set the fastest time in the final minute of the session for riders in the 15-to-21 age bracket. "This clay track is very demanding, and I had some problems at first, but I then managed to find my way through the ruts. I hope it goes well tomorrow so that I can score vital points in the battle for the championship. After all, I'm in with a chance of finishing third in the championship." Also ending the Saturday session on a high were Poland's Tomasz Wysocki (21, JD 191 KTM Racing Team) in second place and Switzerland's Cyrille Flury (18, Team marXparts by Motocenter Hegau / KTM) in third.
ADAC MX Junior Cup
In the class for the youngest riders, Jeremy Sydow (15, Falcon Motorsports / KTM) from Chemnitz is poised to take the title; he not only leads the championship but also qualified in P1. "On Sunday, it's all or nothing," said the ADAC Sports Foundation protégé who has already wrapped up the German 85cc Motocross championship ahead of time. "I found very good rhythm and had a lot of strength in qualifying. That's how I intend to ride to victory, because I really want to get onto the top rung of the podium and become the ADAC MX Junior Cup winner for 2015." Lion Florian (13, MSC Freisinger BÄR / KTM) from Erding lines up behind in second place. The third best time was posted by Austria's René Hofer (13, MSC Imbach / KINI KTM Junior Pro Team) who is currently place fourth. A strong performance on Sunday could see him break into the Top Three on the final day of the 2015 campaign.
Comprehensive programme of events
In addition to the race action, MSC Gaildorf is laying on some entertaining attractions for the whole family. Youngsters can try out their driving skills on the ADAC Young Generation Suzuki quad or use up excess energy in the ADAC Unfallschutz bouncy castle. Meanwhile, the adults can have fun at the Suzuki Roadeo Park plus browse at the many stalls selling motorbike paraphernalia. The paddock is open to the public, so fans are free to approach the racing stars and team bosses for a chat and to watch the mechanics as they go about their work. Between 12:15 and 12:45 on Sunday, the top riders of the event will make themselves available for an autograph session next to the ADAC Truck. Among those making time for their fans will be Angus Heidecke, Brian Hsu, Henry Jacobi, Max Nagl, Jeremy Seewer und Dennis Ullrich. They will be signing posters and autograph books. On sale at the same time will be T-shirts bearing the logos of the ADAC MX Masters series and of the German team which will be contesting the Motocross of Nations. Admission on race day for adults is €18. Children up to the age of 16 accompanied by an adult enter free of charge.
Motocross of Nations
On Friday and as part of the final weekend, Team Germany put on a public practice session ahead of the Motocross of Nations. This was the first official appearance together of the German Motocross squad. Max Nagl, Dennis Ullrich, Henry Jacobi and reserve driver Brian Hsu showed off the team shirts that they will be wearing on the weekend of 26th/27th September in Ernée (France). Team boss Hubert Nagl professes himself confident about the forthcoming challenge in France: "The time they will be able spend together prior to the Motocross of Nations is actually quite limited, because after the final weekend of the ADAC MX Masters, they will be heavily involved in the world championship again. This Showtraining is a great opportunity to bond together as a unit and to build up team spirit."
The ADAC MX Masters series is sponsored by the following brands: Red Bull, 24MX, Suzuki, Motul, ADAC Young Generation, UFO Plast, KTM, Honda, Husqvarna, Yamaha, Kawasaki, Volkswagen, Goldfren, Zürich/Racing Policy, Ortema, Magura, MEFO Sport, Leatt Brace, Golden Tyre, MOTOCROSS ENDURO (off-road magazine since 1971), Cross Magazin and Motorrad magazine.