During qualification for the ADAC MX Masters at Aichwald on Saturday, the storm clouds threatened a downpour which fortunately did not materialise. The 250 riders from 25 different countries were understandably relieved about that as they competed on the 1,755-metre grassy track that goes by the name of 'In den Horben'. There were 40 starting positions up for grabs on Sunday. The most outstanding result of the session came from Brian Hsu (18, Team Suzuki World MX2) who, after picking up the winner's trophy in last year's ADAC MX Youngster Cup, now wants to take on the 'big boys' in the Masters class. The two-time world and five-time European champion with German, Taiwanese and Hungarian roots set a time of 02:00.575 minutes and therefore gets to choose his place at Sunday's starting gate ahead of the two Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing Team riders, world championship contestant and local favourite Max Nagl (28, GER) and Christophe Charlier (24, FRA). "The victory in qualifying makes me very proud," said the talented teenager who had to severely limit his training in the last six months due to a hand injury. "I pushed from the start and immediately laid down a marker with a very good time. I think this gave me a tremendous advantage, because it started to rain towards the end and everyone had to come off the gas."

World championship rider Nagl, who originally hails from Baden-Württemberg, was satisfied with second place and professed himself pleased that an up-and-coming youngster such as Brian Hsu was having success on his home track. "Brian is an exceptional talent and it is to his credit that, in only his third ADAC MX Masters outing, he has put in such a great performance against the bigger guys," said the 28-year-old, who had brought his fiancée Sabrina (28) and son Mason (1) along for the race weekend at the MSC Eiserne Hand Aichwald club. "I also had an enjoyable time out there, because the rain halfway through made the track more difficult and raised the level of challenge."

ADAC MX Youngster Cup

In the ADAC MX Youngster Cup, the focus of attention was on Belgium's Nathan Renkens (18, Falcon Motorsports). The 18-year-old prevailed in qualifying for the third time in a row, securing pole position for Sunday's race: "In fact, it was just like the last ADAC MX Masters at Möggers. When my team held up the board to tell me that I was just few hundredths off pole, I upped my speed and just managed to set the best time on the final lap. That was pretty exciting and gives me a big boost for Sunday." The Belgian, who switched to Falcon Motorsports Team shortly before the Aichwald weekend, impressed with a time of under two minutes. Second place went to Austria's Michael Sandner (17, Cofain Racing Team), followed in third place by Stefan Ekerold (20, GER, Bodo Schmidt Motorsport).

ADAC MX Junior Cup

A similarly strong performance was delivered by ADAC MX Junior Cup rider Rene Hofer (14, AUT, MSC Imbach by MEFO Sport / Kini KTM Junior Pro Team) who is currently second in the table. The pole-setting time in qualifying for the Heinz Kinigadner protégé was two seconds faster than that of his two closest rivals, Axel Gustafsson (14, SWE, KTM) and Maximilian Spies (12, GER, Husqvarna): "The start on Sunday is going to be very important, so that's why I kept pushing right through to the end of the session. What I like about Aichwald is that you don't just have one racing line but instead multiple furrows to choose from. That suited me really well, and I felt good out there on the track." He has set himself the target of winning the race and wresting back the championship lead.

Programme of activities

The ADAC MX Masters at Aichwald is more than just an event for diehard motocross fans; it is also a great day out for the whole family. Children can have a good time on the Young Generation Suzuki quad track and the ADAC Unfallschutz bouncy castle. There will be an autograph session on Sunday between 12:15 and 12:45 next to the ADAC Truck, at which fans can button-hole some of the great names in the motocross scene, including world championship rider Max Nagl, current ADAC MX Masters championship leader Dennis Ullrich (22, GER, KTM Sarholz Racing Team), Finnish world championship rider Harri Kullas (24, KTM Sarholz Racing Team) and popular Danish ADAC MX Masters rider Thomas Kjer Olsen (19, Bodo Schmidt Motorsports, Husqvarna).

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 - Offroadmagazin seit 1971, Cross Magazin, DirtBiker Magazine and MOTORRAD magazine.