When you ask ADAC MX Masters rider Lukas Neurauter what he enjoys most about motocross, the 23-year-old does not need much time to think: "When I´m stood at the start alongside 40 other guys, then it feels a bit like falling in love for the first time. I cannot describe the emotion I feel. It´s a real tingling sensation that I never want to miss," said the Cofain Racing rider with a beaming smile. The Austrian has ridden bikes since he was six years old. His six aunts bought him his first 50cc KTM bike and cheered him on excitedly as he contested his maiden championship race in the Wolf Cup, hurtling across the field at the track in Imst, Austria. The lad was full of pride at the time as he accepted his first winner´s trophy, confirming what Papa Bernhard, mother Edith and his two brothers Chris and Marko had suspected – his love of motocross.

He gained his first world championship experience in the 65cc class, competing against Ken Roczen (22) and Harri Kullas (24) in the Children´s World Championship. The youngster caused a stir in the Tyrolean state championship in the 85cc class, and Lukas has meanwhile secured his first points in the Austrian state championship since switching to a 125cc machine. His first major podiums finally came in 2009 and 2010. Having twice finished runner-up in the Austrian state championship, the young MX talent gained the necessary confidence to win through in the ADAC MX Youngster Cup and in the MX2 class during the following year in Austria. And finally, he won the Austrian championship twice in a row in 2012 and 2013. He took victory on the day in the ADAC MX Youngster Cup at Ried in 2013. As of last year, Lukas is now also one of the ‘Big Boys´ at grand prix events. Two finishes in the Top 15 at the world championship meeting in Teutschenthal served to make both the 23-year-old proud and his family too.

"Getting the chance to compete in the world championship is a big advantage. Of course, you get more recognition, but also, as regards to your performance, an event like the world championship pushes you even further forwards. You have to be in tip-top shape, since otherwise, you will soon get your marching orders in such an extremely strong field of riders. The competition in the grand prix is much tougher," said the KTM rider. In 2016, Lukas will race at Loket in the Czech Republic and at the Swiss Frauenfeld track. "I´m in good shape and will obviously try to improve on last year´s places in the Top 15. Finishes in the Top Ten would be brilliant, but that will be tricky," said the 23-year-old, speaking about his chances in this year´s world championship.

The Austrian gets a lot of support, especially from long-time girlfriend, Rebecca. The two met at a friend´s birthday party in 2009. Since then, the 22-year-old has always been at his side and has helped him along. "Rebecca is fully involved. She always knows just what to say and calms me down when I get stressed. It´s largely down to her that I was able to do so well in the 2015 world championship," said Lukas. Neurauter plans to score points in the world championship and in the ADAC MX Masters during 2016. However, despite all the pressure, what will always be paramount for the joker in the pack, as he calls himself, is and will always remain the enormous amount of pleasure he gets from motocross, because according to him, without that enjoyment, the sport would only be half as exciting.