16,500 fans, a perfect view of the track and glorious sunshine! Sunday in Gaildorf, Baden-Württemberg, provided the best possible conditions for exciting and action-packed motocross racing. Max Nagl (29, Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing Team) and Dennis Ullrich (23, KTM Sarholz Racing Team) will both remember this as a particularly successful race weekend. While Nagl took maximum points with two race wins and victory on the day as a result, Ulle caused a stir with second place overall, bringing about a change at the head of the standings. "My plan worked, I'm now back in the lead, which also obviously makes me feel optimistic as I look ahead to the ADAC MX Masters finale in Holzgerlingen, because the nature of the soil there will benefit me," explained the 23-year-old.
And Nagl also gave a ringing endorsement of his opponent's performance, praising the two-time ADAC MX Masters champion for his terrific results. "Dennis has had a fantastic season, and if he can repeat this great performance in the Motocross of Nations, then we have a very good chance of taking a top position in Maggiora," said the third-best rider in the world about Ullrich, with whom he will be competing as Team Germany along with Henry Jacobi ( 19, Honda Jtech Racing team) on the weekend of 24th/25th September in Italy where they will contest the world team motocross championship. The Bavarian was also very pleased with his own showing, saying: "Terrific spectators, fantastic races, brilliant atmosphere! This weekend in Gaildorf been absolutely fabulous and a lot of fun." Danish rider Thomas Kjer Olsen (19, DEN, Bodo Schmidt Motorsports, Husqvarna) finished third on the day. He is now tied on points in the standings with the latest addition to second place, Harri Kullas (24, FIN, KTM Sarholz Racing team), and is four points down on Ullrich.
ADAC MX Youngster Cup
Race Sunday in the ADAC MX Youngster Cup was marked by incredibly exciting scenes as New Zealander Josiah Natzke (17, KTM Red Bull Factory Racing) took victory on the day with second place in Race 1 and the top result in Race 2. He was pleased to be so well received by such a large audience, which he is not used to in his native New Zealand. However, the two rivals, Miro Sihvonen (17, FIN, Diga Junior Racing Team, KTM) and Bas Vaessen (18, NED, Team Suzuki World MX2) caused even more of a stir. With a win in Race 1 and fourth place in the second race, Vaessen not only secured second place overall, he also - though by a mere two points - took the lead at the top of the table: "The scraps this weekend were really exciting and very demanding both physically and mentally, but I got what I wanted in the end and can now look forward to the finale in Holzgerlingen, feeling strengthened," said the 18-year-old, speaking about his performance this race weekend. 20-year-old Stefan Ekerold (Bodo Schmidt Motorsport) finished third overall.
ADAC MX Junior Cup
Victory on the day for ADAC MX Junior Cup rider Rene Hofer (14, MSC Imbach/Kini KTM Junior Pro Team by Mefo Sport) as the young talent sponsored by MX legend Heinz Kinigadner took P1 in both races and thus regained the lead overall in the standings. The Austrian is now some 17 points up on his rival, Meico Vettik (13, EST, Mefo Sport Racing Team, KTM). Visibly relieved and proud, the 14-year-old told us: "As the wonderful Austrian saying goes: When the going gets good, the good get going! And that's exactly what seems to be happening with me right now. The ADAC MX Junior Cup title is definitely a realistic goal! The speed is there and the desire too at any rate!" Hofer has just been crowned European and world champion in the 85cc class, so the ADAC MX Junior Cup trophy would mean a hat-trick of title wins this season for the successful youngster. Australian Jett Lawrence (13, Monster Energy Kawasaki Elf Team Pfeil) was second overall, while Swiss teenager Mike Gwerder (13, Husqvarna) placed third.
The ADAC MX Masters finale will be staged at the Schützenbühlring in Holzgerlingen on 17th and 18th September. The Kraftfahrervereinigung Kalteneck (Kfv Kalteneck) did not want to host the series last year so that the 1.8-km clay track and the paddock could be upgraded. Riders can now look forward to a perfectly groomed circuit which is one of the most clearly visible MX tracks in the whole of Europe. The start area has now been revamped. The Schützenbühlring also has many jumps, a large loop through a meadow and some demanding ascents and descents to thrill riders and spectators alike. Dennis Ullrich will line up as the local favourite at Holzgerlingen. He's been a club member there since 2012. It's where he won his two ADAC MX Masters titles and became an ADAC MX Youngster Cup winner.