The fact that Louis would become interested in motocross is down to sheer fluke. Just over three years ago, the primary school boy saw a poster about a race in the neighbouring town and decided to go along to watch with his father, Steffen. Up until that point, the eight-year-old had little idea just how much their day out together would change his life. "I was totally fascinated by this sport and immediately wanted to try it for myself," said Louis. And his dad, too, can still well remember the change that came over him, because from that time on, his offspring never stopped trying to get him interested in his new idea. "I finally did a bit of searching on the Internet, came across the ADAC MX Academy and signed him up for a taster course since I wanted Louis to get things right if he was going to do it," said the sales rep from North Rhine-Westphalia.
The second year primary school pupil then attended the ADAC MX Academy powered by KTM at the ADAC Westfalen's Wilnsdorf base camp in June 2016, where, after a few attempts at riding an MX bike, he realised how much he felt at ease. "It was quite exhausting, but I had a lot of fun. I was the first to be allowed out on the motocross track on my own and posted a couple of laps, which is something I'll never forget," said Louis. After the course, the wee laddie did not want to take off his Academy T-shirt, and from then on, took to wearing his cap the wrong way round like most motocross riders. "My son was incredibly proud. He went to school wearing the Academy T-shirt for two whole weeks," said his father with a chuckle.
The family decided to indulge Louis' new-found passion for motocross and bought him his first set of gear. Steffen: "We didn't have much choice, actually. We went along to a club evening at MSC Oberes Weisstal after his taster course. It's also where the ADAC MX Academy has sessions, you know. Straightaway, one of the coaches took Louis on one side and showed him some motorbikes. Later, he even got to try on some motocross riding gear, so I was left with little choice but to say yes." The eight-year-old has ridden in the C squad of ADAC Westfalen's MX junior team ever since and goes training every Saturday or Sunday.
"My dad and I make a great team, but he has a lot to learn, as he doesn't know anything about motorcycles, but luckily, we've met a lot of new people through the club who are always ready to help us out when we have a question. For example, dad can now change spark plugs and has some idea as to why my bike sometimes suddenly stops running," said Louis. And his father added, "Everyone really makes plenty of time for us rookies. The motocross social scene is really excellent, but we also have to report that the sport that makes huge demands on us as parents."
The main priority for the eight-year-old's mum and dad is the fun factor, because fun has to remain uppermost despite all the ambition. His mum, Nadine, told us: "Louis thinks motocross is brilliant, but he also still plays football and likes going to school, which all have to fit in somewhere along the line, so we don't put any pressure on him to take part in races, for example. She's not worried either that something might happen to her boy. "Our son is a bit of a kamikaze and rides fearlessly through the woods with my husband at 30 kph on his mountain bike, wearing only a cycle helmet. In motocross, on the other hand, he has a full set of protective gear. Moreover, he has the necessary respect and pays attention when on the track. He is also the youngest in the C squad," said his mum, who used to dart across the fields on a Honda 50.
The ADAC MX Academy powered by KTM at Wilnsdorf has been involved with bringing on juniors since the start of the ADAC's programme in 2013 and has been one of seven base camps across the nation ever since. The taster courses usually start in April and are held at regular intervals during the season well into September. A taster training session costs 38 euros and lasts from 9.00am to 3.00pm. For those keen to pursue the sport after the course, ADAC Westfalen MSC Oberes Weisstal eV normally offers the chance to train on Wednesdays and at weekends. In addition, tomorrow's junior riders can continue their training in the C squad of the ADAC Westfalen MX junior team set up in 2011 by the head of the base camp, Marcel Dornhöfer, in conjunction with the MX Europe Off-road school and the MSC Oberes Weisstal eV in order to train and promote motocross junior riders from the ADAC Westfalen area. The goal is to give many more young talents the chance to pursue a career in the top-flight. Anyone who already owns a motorcycle can participate.