15-year-old Philipp comes from Wermelskirchen near Wuppertal in North Rhine-Westphalia. When he registered for a course organised by the ADAC MX Academy powered by KTM at the AMC Frankenthal e.V. club in 2013, he had no idea how much the sport would fire his imagination. But after his very first attempt at lapping the circuit on an MX bike, he was reluctant to get off again: "It was not only very interesting, but above all, it was amazing fun. Not many children of that age get to sit on a motorbike and try out something new, which until then they've only learned about in theory." Some time later, Philipp was invited to attend the so-called 'top course' for the most talented youngsters from the various MX Academy courses around the country: "It was a decisive year for me. From then on, I was constantly pestering my father to buy me a motorcycle of my own."

Eventually, he had saved enough pocket money and, with the balance being paid by his father, he bought his first 65cc machine from a dealer in Ketsch. "The Academy has been a perfect springboard for me to discover the sport for myself. Since then, I've been riding at MSF Kräwinklerbrücke e.V. where I regularly compete in club races or the MX Cup organised by the ADAC North Rhine region. I'm usually somewhere around the middle of the field." Philipp has recently started riding a 125cc motorcycle, which his father borrows on occasions.

"My attendance at the Academy definitely aroused my interest in motocross sport, and also did the same for my dad. I find that especially nice, because we're now spending more time with each other. My parents are separated, so I always enjoy the training weekends with my father because it has strengthened the bond between us." Philipp spends every second weekend on the training track of his home club, but sometimes he goes to Bielstein where he practises on the track of MSC Drabenderhöhe-Bielstein e.V., the club that hosts the ADAC MX Masters once a year. "If you want to be a success in motocross, you have to be fit. That's why I started regular fitness training two months ago, and I'm also doing a lot of cycling." He has also attended various courses to improve his technique and to help him cope with obstacles on the track.

Philipp does not see himself as an MX pro in the making, however, preferring to regard the sport as a hobby, but this does not change his approach to motocross: "My great role model is Ken Roczen because, despite his accident, he has not given up and always sticks at it. I find that impressive." He is also impressed by his uncle Helmut who competes in Enduro races: "It was my uncle who first gave me the idea of signing up for the Academy. Since then, he together with my father has not only supported me in my passion for this sport, but he has also been my sponsor. This obviously makes a lot of things easier, for example if it's time to graduate to a larger bike and my pocket money is not enough." Philipp chuckles.

Since 2013, when the ADAC trial courses first began, AMC Frankenthal e.V. has been contributing to the work of the Academy. Quite apart from its collaboration with the ADAC, the 400-member club has been working intensively and successfully on developing young riders over the years. On two Thursdays every month, for example, they organise special training sessions for 5- to 18-year-olds with instructors from the club. In addition, there are weekend training sessions throughout the year, for which external instructors are brought in, as well as regular winter conditioning sessions in the clubhouse. For the youngest MX riders, there is an additional separate children's track which is open both during the week and at certain times during the weekend.