There was a very special atmosphere in the air for the opening weekend of the 2016 ADAC MX Masters at Fürstlich Drehna (Brandenburg) on Saturday. No fewer than 221 riders from 25 different countries were pleased to once again have the opportunity to showcase their talent in Europe's most popular motocross racing series. Local favourite Christian Brockel (32, KTM GST Berlin) appeared especially anxious to put in a good performance in qualification on the 1,650-metre Rund um den Mühlberg track: as the region's most prominent MX star, he was determined to make a good impression on his family and friends from Pershagen in Brandenburg. And that's exactly what the father of two managed to do in his qualifying heat in the afternoon. After the 32-year-old initially struggled to get past Swedish opponent Jonathan Bengtsson (23, KTM), he then took over the lead at the midway point of the race. "It was difficult to predict how well I would do, because the ADAC MX Masters race weekend in Fürstlich Drehna is the first official one of this year for me," said the two-time German motocross champion. "But I did my very best to give my fans every good reason to come back and cheer me on tomorrow. I feel really good."

However, Brockel had to concede pole position to World Championship rider Ben Townley (Team Suzuki World MXGP) after the New Zealander posted a qualifying lap in his group that was around two seconds faster. The 31-year-old Kiwi did not seem at all surprised to have secured first place at the starting gate for Sunday's race: "My strategy right from the start was push, push, push! The track is very well prepared, and the standard of competition is high. There are a lot of fast riders out there, so it was great fun. I'll approach tomorrow's race in the same way as today." Denmark's Thomas Kjer Olsen (Bodo Schmidt Motorsport, Husqvarna) gets third choice of starting position on Sunday. The 19-year-old won the ADAC MX Youngster Cup in 2014 and since last year has been competing against the adults of the series.

ADAC MX Youngster Cup

The first three places in qualifying for Class 2 went to Belgium and the Netherlands. 18-year-old Nathan Renkens (BEL, WZ Racing, KTM), who embarked on his Masters career in the 2008 ADAC MX Junior Cup, dominated the full 20 minutes and emerged the clear winner of the qualifying session for the ADAC MX Youngster Cup. "I had good pace throughout and felt at my ease on the track," said the WZ Racing Team rider. "I think sandy surfaces are great - I cope with them well. In addition, we've optimised my chassis and that definitely paid off here today." Second and third places went to Luca Nijenhuis (21, Monster Energy Kawasaki Elf Team Pfeil) and Bas Vaessen (18, Team Suzuki World MX2) respectively, both of whom had made their mark in the past as winners of the ADAC MX Junior Cup. Nijenhuis won the 2011 title in Class 3, while Vaessen picked up the trophy for the best up-and-coming rider one year later.

ADAC MX Junior Cup

Setting the pace in the ADAC MX Junior Cup was Austria's René Hofer (14, MSC Imbach by MEFO Sport / Kini KTM Junior Pro Team). The 14-year-old KTM rider had already made a big impression in Class 3 in the 2015 season, finishing third. He was therefore clearly delighted to have demonstrated great form on the first day of this year's campaign. In the runner-up spot was his biggest current rival Daniel Stehlik (14, CZE, Diga Junior Racing Team, KTM), while third place went to 12-year-old Maximilian Spies (Husqvarna) who shares with Christian Brockel the added incentive of being local and a member of the MSC Fürstlich Drehna club. "I had very much hoped to qualify among the Top Five, so I am very happy with third place," said the two-time Brandenburg MX regional champion. "Since I am also currently leading in the 85cc class of the German Motocross Championship, this result strengthens my resolve and gives me confidence for the race on Sunday."

Programme of events

As well as the sporting spectacular, MSC Fürstlich Drehna is offering a varied programme for the whole family. Children can enjoy themselves on the ADAC Young Generation Suzuki Quad track and on the ADAC Unfallschutz bouncy castle. Adults can stroll along the fan zone with stalls selling motocross-related merchandise. Top stars of the motocross scene will be present for an autograph-signing session between 12:15 and 12:45 on Sunday next to the ADAC Truck. They will include local favourite Christian Brockel and three world-class riders: Dennis Ullrich, Angus Heidecke (both KTM Sarholz Racing Team) and Ben Townley.

The ADAC MX Masters is supported by the following partners: Red Bull, 24MX, Suzuki, Maxxis, Motul, KTM, Honda, Husqvarna, Yamaha, Kawasaki, Goldfren, Allianz/Racing Policy, Ortema, Magura, Tsubaki, MEFO Sport, Leatt Brace, Opel, MOTOCROSS ENDURO (Off-road magazine since 1971), Cross Magazin, DirtBiker Magazine and MOTORRAD Magazine.