The fifth round of the ADAC MX Masters at MCE Tensfeld eV in northern Germany promises to be a real highlight of the season. Championship leader Dennis Ullrich (22, KTM Sarholz Racing Team) has held the top spot unchallenged since the second ADAC MX Masters round in Möggers, Austria, but will get some real competition at the next race weekend, 16th/17th July, for not only is his team-mate Harri Kullas (24, FIN, KTM Sarholz Racing Team) right behind him with just a six-point deficit, Thomas Kjer Olsen from Denmark (19, Bodo Schmidt Motorsports, Husqvarna), the current European championship leader, is itching to claim the top rung on the podium for himself. Furthermore, a large number of world championship riders will be in the Tensfeld line-up, including South African world championship rider Calvin Vlaanderen (20, HSF Logistics Motorsport, KTM).

In addition, Team Suzuki will field no less than four top world championship riders in the races - Jeremy Seewer (21, CH, Team Suzuki World MX2), who is currently second in the MX2 world championship, German-Taiwanese rider Brian Hsu (18, Team Suzuki World MX2), the Belgian Kevin Strijbos (30, Team Suzuki World MXGP) and the Lithuanian Arminas Jasikonis (18, Team Suzuki World MXGP). By the way, this will be Jasikonis' first race on a yellow Suzuki. The 18-year-old moved from Monster Energy Kawasaki Elf Team Pfeil to join the team led by ten time MX world champion Stefan Everts (43, BEL) after the ADAC MX Masters in Bielstein (2nd-3rd July 2016).

A total of 235 riders from 25 countries have entered the race in Germany's largest and most demanding MX 'sand pit'. The 1,850-metre track is especially challenging for every motocross rider, since even those who are considered to be specialists on sand have to struggle hard with Tensfeld's deep sand. Nevertheless, local rider Mike Stender from nearby Eutin (25, Team Castrol Power 1 Suzuki Moto-Base) still hopes to be in with a good chance at his home track and intends to put on a good show in front of friends and family: "The races in Tensfeld are something else. You immediately become aware of the huge differences in fitness. Sand is much more difficult to ride on than a hard surface, and it really takes it out of you. But as a North German, I'm used to such tracks, and so for that reason, I think that I can definitely be up there with the front-runners," said the man from Eutin.

In the ADAC MX Youngster Cup, the current leader, Miro Sihvonen from Finland (17, Diga Junior Racing Team, KTM), will have to be prepared for a real ding dong battle. His rival, Bas Vaessen (18, NED, Team Suzuki World MX2) has only one goal in mind for the final three Masters events, and that is to score plenty of points. At the moment, he is eleven points down on the leader but intends to try to position himself in front of Sihvonen in both races at Tensfeld. He caused a stir at the last meeting in Bielstein by winning a race and intends to repeat his success, but world championship rider Jorge Prado (15, ESP, Red Bull KTM) is also keen to take the top rung of the podium. The Spaniard was crowned 65cc world champion in 2012 and became 125cc European champion last year. He has plenty of international experience and aims as a guest starter to show just how good he is in what is certainly a very strong field of riders in the ADAC MX Youngster Cup. For North German rider Jan Allers (17, Bvz Racing Team), this will be a great opportunity to see how he compares to the MX elite. As a local rider, the 17-year-old aims to impress in the ADAC MX Youngster Cup at the ADAC MX Masters in Tensfeld.

The juniors will be back in action again at the ADAC MX Masters in northern Germany. The youngest among the top riders can hardly wait to rev up their engines again, since the ADAC MX Junior Cup was cancelled due to poor weather conditions at the meeting in Baden-Württemberg Aichwald (11th/12th June, 2016) and they were not scheduled to compete at the last event in Bielstein. The battle between the rivals at the top of the standings, Maksim Kraev (13, RUS, Garim MX Team, KTM) in first place and Rene Hofer (14, MSC Imbach by MEFO Sport, Kini KTM Junior Team Pro) in P2, is expected to be very exciting. Hofer plans to become ADAC MX Junior Cup champion and intends to retake the lead in his class at the race weekend in Tensfeld. Consequently, the ambitious young MX talent will try to outpace his Russian rival in both races.

The support programme at the ADAC MX Masters has something for the whole family. For younger visitors, there's the ADAC Young Generation Suzuki Quad track and the ADAC Insurance bouncy castle. All motocross fans, young and old, are welcome to attend the autograph session on Sunday. Championship leader Dennis Ullrich, the two world cup riders Kevin Strijbos and Jeremy Seewer and ADAC MX Masters favourite Dominique Thury (23, Falcon Motorsports KTM) plus local rider Mike Stender will do the honours from 12:15 to 12:45 pm and busily sign posters for all those who are mad about motocross.

A weekend ticket for fans aged over 16 cost 17 euros and seven euros for those between ten and 15. Admission is free for children under nine accompanied by an adult.