Soon the waiting will be over. In a few weeks, the ADAC MX Masters enters its eleventh season. And it's not just the fans who are full of anticipation as the start of Europe's most popular motocross series approaches. The tension is a lot greater for the riders as they limber up for their first competitive engagement after the long winter break, namely the 2015 ADAC MX Masters opener at Fürstlich Drehna (Brandenburg) on the weekend of 11th/12th April. In order to be fully prepared for the forthcoming campaign, the riders have been training hard: physical fitness and finely tuned skills are the key to success.

"In the season opener at Fürstlich Drehna, a lot will depend on how hard the riders have been working over the last few months," says reigning ADAC MX Masters Champion Dennis Ullrich (Team Castrol Power1 Suzuki Moto-Base). "The sand track makes heavy demands on the contestants, and it immediately becomes apparent who has done his homework over the winter." The venue in Upper Lusatia is staging one of the eight events in which the 21-year-old will defend his title. The basis for a perfect start to the season is rider preparation. Performance diagnostics help the contestants to determine the stage they are at. ADAC Sports Foundation protégés Vincent Gallwitz, Brian Hsu, Nico Koch and Jeremy Sydow attended an introductory seminar organised by the ADAC Sports Foundation at the Chiemgau Academy of Health in Bad Endorf (Bavaria) ahead of the ADAC MX Masters season. There they underwent comprehensive physical performance diagnostics, including a lactate test, a spinal analysis and physiotherapeutic examinations. "These tests help you find out about yourself," explains 16-year-old Gallwitz (Team Yamaha Motor Deutschland - AC Motec by STC). "Physical fitness plays a crucial role in motocross. It is a world sport with one of the highest exposures to physical stress." The ADAC MX Youngster Cup rider comes from Rheinberg in North Rhine-Westphalia and does several hours' fitness training each day during the pre-season. To cope with the high endurance demands of the races, he is building his strength by means of running, swimming or cycling. 16-year-old Brian Hsu (Team Rockstar Energy Suzuki Europe), who will likewise be competing in this year's ADAC MX Youngster Cup, likes to keep his training routine varied: "Variety is important to me. In addition to endurance training, I ride round a motocross track on my BMX bike two days a week."

In addition to comprehensive basic endurance work, specific strength training is part of the motocross schedule. Particularly important is the strengthening of the torso, arm and leg muscles. Once the basics are in place, the next priority after physical ability is technique. Training on the bike tends to focus on the skills of jumping and cornering. Getting off to a good start is also an area that requires attention. The speed of training runs can vary from steady or high to full throttle. When the weather in Germany refuses to play ball, many motocrossers will head to Spain to practise on the wide choice of tracks there. For example, teenagers of the ADAC Hessen-Thüringen MX Masters Rookie Team, who train under the guidance of former MX professional Collin Dugmore near Valencia. 16-year-old Tom Koch, who made three appearances on a Supercross podium this winter, sees the training camp as an excellent way of preparing for the season: "Technique is every bit as important as physical fitness. The more hours you spend on your bike, the faster you will be in the season."

The ADAC MX Masters combines first-class motocross on attractive circuits with an entertaining support programme. World-class riders and championship teams compete in this race series. The ADAC MX Masters and the ADAC MX Youngster Cup championships are contested over eight race weekends, while the ADAC MX Junior Cup takes place only six of these. The total prize money for the 2015 season has reached a new high - more than €260,000.