Conditions were almost perfect on Saturday as the ADAC MX Masters final weekend got under way in Holzgerlingen, Baden-Württemberg. The rain that had been forecast failed to materialise, and instead, riders and spectators enjoyed a balmy 18 degrees when the sun came out and plenty of exciting wheel-to-wheel battles on the 1,800-metre Schützenbühlring track. Title-favourite Dennis Ullrich (23, KTM Sarholz Racing Team) was the one who got everyone talking by going quickest in qualifying and securing pole position for the two points-scoring races on Sunday. The Team KTM Sarholz Racing rider told us: "I feel great and had a lot of fun here today. The track is still a little too dry for my liking and not bedded in enough, but that didn't stop me from opening up the throttle and posting a terrific time. I'm still relatively relaxed even though it's the final round. Sure, I feel a certain pressure, but I think I can handle it." Anyway, the 1,800-meter clay track at Holzgerlingen should afford the best possible conditions for Ullrich, who, as a member of the organising club, KFV Kalteneck, has already won the ADAC MX Masters twice in the past.

World championship rider Max Nagl (29, Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing Team) was nearly a second slower than Ullrich in qualifying. He finished in P2, and so, can line up in second place at the starting gate on race Sunday. Third-fastest time went to Belgian rider Jeremy Delince (26, KMP Racing Honda Repsol). The other two title contenders, Thomas Kjer Olsen (19, DEN, Bodo Schmidt Motorsports, Husqvarna) and Harri Kullas (24, FIN, KTM Sarholz Racing Team) qualified seventh and ninth respectively.

ADAC MX Youngster Cup

Finnish rider Miro Sihvonen (17, Diga Junior Racing Team, KTM), who is in second place overall in the ADAC MX Youngster Cup, managed to post best time just as qualifying was about to end. The 17-year-old, who has held the lead all season until the last ADAC MX Masters event in Gaildorf (20th - 21st August), was very pleased and visibly relieved with his excellent performance: "That was a promising start to what is an extremely important weekend for me. I never actually thought that I would do so well on this demanding clay track, but the quali was a lot of fun. This is the last meeting of the season, so I'll try to have as much fun as possible. Results like these are just the ticket as far as boosting my excellent mood even further goes, most definitely," said the Scandinavian with a chuckle. Belgian rider Nathan Renkens (18, Falcon Motorsports, KTM) qualified in second place. Fellow Belgian Cedric Grobben (21, BEL, KTM Sarholz Racing Team) was also impressive, coming home in third place. Championship leader Bas Vaessen (18, Team Suzuki World MX2), who, like Sihvonen, is battling for the title in the ADAC MX Youngster Cup, will line up in fourth position on race Sunday.

ADAC MX Junior Cup

Austrian Rene Hofer (14, AUT, MSC Imbach by MEFO Sport/Kini KTM Junior Team Pro) dominated qualifying in the ADAC MX Junior Cup. Sponsored by legendary MX star Heinz Kinigadner (56), the junior world and European champion went into P1 with a time of 2:19.812 and thus finished nearly a second up on Danish rival Magnus Smith (12, Husqvarna). Currently occupying the top spot in the standings, the young rider said: "I want to win tomorrow's final, for sure, and will pull out all the stops to become ADAC MX Junior Cup champion. I don't feel any pressure at the moment, you know, but tomorrow's weather forecast is giving me some cause for concern. If it should actually rain, then the track here in Holzgerlingen will become unpredictable, and I'll have to concentrate hard on not making any mistakes." Meico Vettik from Estonia (13, Mefo Sport Racing Team, KTM) was second fastest in qualifying, while Noah Ludwig from Aschersleben (12, ADAC Niedersachsen, Sachsen-Anhalt) will line up in third place at the starting gate.

Programme

This year, 2016, will be the eleventh ADAC MX Masters meeting that the Kraftfahrervereinigung Kalteneck eV has organised at the Schützenbühlring in Holzgerlingen. The club took a break from the event last year to carry out improvements to the track and the paddock. Riders can now look forward this season to a perfectly prepared circuit with new technical elements, more jumps and a revised section at the start. More than 400 helpers got together before the meeting to prepare for this round of the ADAC MX Masters and to ensure that participants and visitors can enjoy a top-class event. There will also be a comprehensive programme for children and teenagers away from the action on the circuit with the ADAC Young Generation Suzuki Quad track, the ADAC Insurance kids bouncy castle and the Suzuki 4x4 Roadeo parcours. Numerous stands offering gastronomic delights, a mega party in the marquee and numerous stands for fans will provide additional entertainment for the grown-ups. An autograph-signing session with the top stars from the motocross scene will take place on Sunday from 12:15 to 12:45. The three title contenders Dennis Ullrich, Harri Kullas and Thomas Kjer Olsen plus world championship rider Max Nagl will be there at the ADAC truck. The four of them will answer questions from anyone who cares to come along, take selfies with fans and busy themselves signing posters and autographs.

The ADAC MX Masters is sponsored 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 Magazine, Dirtbiker and MOTORRAD motorcycle magazines.