The sun beat down as a thrilling ADAC MX Masters qualifying got under way at the Dutch Lichtenvoorde circuit in the province of Gelderland. British rider Nathan Watson (21/Red Bull Iceone Husqvarna Factory Racing) won through against Jeremy Delince (25/KMP Honda Repsol Racing Team) from Belgium during the penultimate race meeting of top riders in Europe's most popular motocross series. The current championship leader, local rider Glenn Coldenhoff (Team Rockstar Energy Suzuki Europe) from the nearby town of Heesch placed third.

Watson had every reason to be pleased at the 1.8km sandy track run by MACL Lichtenvoorde, who are organising a round of the ADAC MX Masters for the first time in its history. "I've finally been able to show what I can do after my poor result last weekend on the Austrian track in Ried. If I can get a good start tomorrow, then there's nothing standing in the way of a top position," said the world championship rider, whose final lap in the quali proved crucial in deciding his start number for the race on Sunday. "Watson is definitely quick, but I didn't expect him to beat my time in the final minute. I won't let him get out in front in the race - after all, this is my home race, and I intend to win it," said 24-year-old Suzuki works rider Coldenhoff, who won the prestigious international German motocross championship title before season's end with a win on the day. Pascal Rauchenecker (22/HSV Ried/COFAIN Racing KTM) and Swiss rider Jeremy Seewer (21/Team Rockstar Energy Suzuki Europe) completed the Top Five.

ADAC MX Youngster Cup

Championship leader and ADAC Sports Foundation protégé Brian Hsu (17/Team Rockstar Energy Suzuki Europe) dominated qualifying in the ADAC MX Youngster Cup. The 2012 85cc world championship title holder and junior 125cc world champion from 2014 secured the best start position of all the riders aged 15-21. After his success so far this season, the school-boy, who was born in Freiburg, is a contender for the win on Race Sunday; he won the championship in his class before season's end. "I'm not thinking too much about the championship. For me, what's important is to do my best in every race that I contest. Obviously, I could win the overall standings with a decent finish, but that's not what's most important," said Hsu. He consigned Lithuanian rider Arminas Jasikonis (17/Monster Energy Kawasaki Elf Team Pfeil) to second place. Young talent and 2011 65cc world champion Jorge Prado (14/KTM Factory Juniors) from Spain, who is taking his place at the starting gate for the first time this season, will contest both races from third position at the gate on Sunday.

ADAC MX Junior Cup

In the class for the youngest riders (10-15), Dutch youngster Rick Elzinga (13/Beursfoon KTM Youth Team) used his home advantage to good effect, coming out on top in the Lichtenvoorde qualifying. "I feel quite at ease on home turf. I will try to produce an equally great result in the races," said Elzinga from nearby Zenderen, who secured pole position in the junior class for the first time this year. Bastian Boegh Damm (14/Stabilo Kawasaki MX Team) from Denmark was second. Title defender Mikkel Haarup (13/KTM Kosak Racing Team) posted the third-best time. KTM rider and 85cc German motocross champion before season's end, Jeremy Sydow (15/Falcon Motorsports) from Chemnitz, will start the races on Sunday from fourth place. Currently second in the overall standings, he too has a chance of taking the title and intends to secure valuable points.

Programme

The ADAC MX Masters provides a varied support programme for young and old in additon to high calibre motorsport. Children can use the ADAC Young Generation Suzuki Quadparcours and enjoy playing on the ADAC Insurance bouncy castle. Entry is free for teenagers up to age 16, while admission for adults costs 20 euros. There will be an exclusive autograph signing session with top riders from the series on Sunday. Coldenhoff, Angus Heidecke (25/KTM Sarholz Racing Team), Rauchenecker, Seewer, and Dennis Ullrich (21/Team Castrol Power1 Suzuki Moto-Base) will make themselves available to autograph hunters from 12:15pm to 12:45pm at the ADAC truck.

The ADAC MX Masters is supported 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.