A new category for new talent: Starting in 2018, the ADAC MX Masters will be running a new junior class. Intended to fill the current gap between the ADAC MX Junior Cup 85 and the ADAC Youngster Cup, the ADAC MX Junior Cup 125 will be contested from next year within the framework of the ADAC MX Masters. ADAC Sports President Hermann Tomczyk: "We've seen that the transition from the 85cc class to the next class up, in which the teenagers are riding powerful 125cc and 250cc bikes, is quite difficult for many of them, because the jump is just too big. By introducing this new 125cc class, we are putting another step in the pyramid to aid the development of these talented youngsters."

The new ADAC MX Junior Cup 125 is open to anyone aged between 13 and 18, although the number of entrants is limited to 48. "Our priority is to support young motocross riders over the long term," adds Tomczyk. "We want the contestants from the ADAC MX Junior Cup 85 to stay with us as they work their way up to the highest class. For us to compete in international terms, we therefore need a platform that is attractive across the board, which is what ultimately persuaded us to integrate this new development stage."

As a consequence, 2018 will also see a reduction in the starter field for the ADAC MX Junior Cup 85 from a maximum of 96 contestants to 48. This move is intended to raise both the quality and the quantity in the two classes. So that not only successful, high-ranking motocross riders make it into the starting line-up but also new and as yet unknown MX talents, the ADAC will additionally be organising an evaluation course in the run-up to the season. Hermann Tomczyk: "This evaluation course will take place for riders in both the ADAC MX Junior Cup 85 and the ADAC MX Junior Cup 125 after the official close of nominations (mid-February 2018) and will be supervised by three former motocross pros, Didi Lacher, Bernd Eckenbach and Marcus Schiffer." Riders who put in a strong performance on this multi-day course will be immediately approved for the new season, while the remainder will go on a waiting list.

Just as in the three existing ADAC MX Masters classes, the ADAC MX Junior Cup 125 contestants will be competing for an attractive pot of prize money. A total of around 30,000 euros will be distributed to the highest achievers in the new class.

Since its debut season of 2005, the ADAC MX Masters has established itself as the most popular motocross race series in Europe. The series was conceived with the purpose of supporting and advancing motocross talents from a young age and offering them a wide range of development opportunities. The starter line-ups are of a high calibre, the level of competition is strong, and the provision for developing young talent is comprehensive. International World Championship stars such as Ken Roczen, Pauls Jonass, Jeffrey Herlings, Glenn Coldenhoff and Max Nagl started out in the ADAC MX Masters before becoming household names in the sport.