On the weekend of September 5th-6th, the historic Auf der Wacht circuit in Gaildorf, Baden-Württemberg, will stage the finale of this year's ADAC MX Masters season. For around 240 riders from 20 countries, this will be the last time that the start gate drops in Europe's most popular motocross series. Suzuki factory rider Glenn Coldenhoff (24/Team Rockstar Energy Suzuki Europe) was recently crowned German Motocross Champion at the Lichtenvoorde track in the Netherlands, but the battle for the other places in the main class continues.
One of the favourites this weekend is world championship rider Max Nagl (Red Bull Iceone Husqvarna Factory Team) from Weilheim in Bavaria, who is hoping to make a strong comeback after his enforced lay-off due to injury; he took victory on the day at the season opener in Fürstlich-Drehna (Brandenburg). Two-time ADAC MX Masters champion (2013, 2014) Dennis Ullrich (21/Team Castrol Power1 Suzuki Moto-base) aims to take the title of championship runner-up and leave Swiss rival Jeremy Seewer (21/Team Rockstar Energy Suzuki Europe) trailing behind. Seewer in third place will try to prevent that happening. The two are separated by only four points, but one thing is quite certain for German rider Ullrich: "I'm the one who is going to finish runner-up!" But Austrian rider Pascal Rauchenecker (22/Cofain Racing KTM/HSV Ried) intends to play his part and is determined to finish on the podium at the end of this season. "I just missed the podium last year - I was fourth. I'm going to attack in the remaining races and catch them both," said Rauchenecker, setting out his ambitions; he is currently in fourth place with a 34-point deficit.
ADAC MX Youngster Cup
As regards the junior riders in the age group 15 to 21, the title has also already been decided. ADAC Sports Foundation protégé Brian Hsu (17/Team Rockstar Energy Suzuki Europe) on 321 points is in an unassailable position in first place in the standings. Consequently, the young 85cc world champion from 2012 and 2014 125cc junior world champion already has the ADAC MX Youngster Cup in the bag. Nicholas Adams (18/Monster Energy Kawasaki Elf Team Pfeil/216 points), who has been a strong rival of German-Taiwanese rider Hsu throughout the season, is in second place, 14 points up on German rider Stefan Ekerold (19/Bodo Schmidt Motorsport). Ekerold from Weiskirchen told us: "Every finish further up the field would help me and the team in the fight for second place. It would be great to end a season that has been so tricky with a win at the season finale and thus secure vital points." Arminas Jasikonis (17/Monster Energy Kawasaki Elf Team Pfeil) also intends to turn the tide in his favour at the last race weekend of the year. The Lithuanian rider could even achieve a podium with a good finish in the daily standings. Just eight points separate Jasikonis and Ekerold.
ADAC MX Junior Cup
Championship leader Jeremy Sydow (15/Falcon Motorsports/KTM) intends to win the title battle in the class for the youngest riders. Sydow succeeded in taking the top position in the championship standings at the Lichtenvoorde fixture and now aims to turn that lead into a title win with a solid race result this weekend. Sydow: "It would be great to win the title! I would never have thought it possible at the start of the season, as it's only in the second half of the year that I've been able to increase my speed. Now the title is within reach, and the hard work appears to be paying off. I'm going to do everything I can to put my opponents under pressure in Gaildorf." Petr Polak (14/MEFO Sport Racing Team) from the Czech Republic, who is currently in third place, can also be expected to battle it out for the other places on the podium, along with Austrian rider René Hofer (13/MSC Imbach/KINI KTM Junior Pro Team), who is fourth.
Motocross of Nations
With three weeks to go before the FIM Motocross of Nations (MX of Nations), Team Germany are be preparing for the prestigious highlight event in Gaildorf. Max Nagl will line up in the MXGP class in Ernée (France), while Henry Jacobi will focus on the MX2 class, and Dennis Ullrich will tackle the MX Open Class. Angus Heidecke and Brian Hsu have been booked as reserves. The riders will put on a public show training session with free admission on Friday at 16:30 CET, so fans who are unable to be in France to support the team can see the motocross national team in action at the weekend in their team racing strip and take photos.
Comprehensive support programme
MSC Gaildorf will offer further delights in addition to the sporting action out on track. The Original Südtiroler Spitzbuam will play in the marquee on Friday evening to liven things up, while the Crossfire party band will make for a relaxed atmosphere on Saturday. The ADAC Young Generation Suzuki Quad track, Suzuki Roadeo Park, the ADAC Insurance bouncy castle, as well as numerous fans and stalls will also be at the event. The paddock is open to everyone, and fans are invited to exchange a few words with their idols, talk with team bosses and watch the mechanics at work. Top riders from the event will attend an autograph signing session on Sunday from 12.15 until 12.45 CET at the ADAC Truck. Glenn Coldenhoff, Angus Heidecke, Brian Hsu, Henry Jacobi, Max Nagl, Jeremy Seewer and Dennis Ullrich will be there for fans at the finale. A weekend ticket bought in advance costs 28 euros for adults (over 16 years) and includes admission on both days and to the evening events.
The ADAC MX Masters 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 Magazine and Motorrad.