Dennis Ullrich has a special knack. No other motocross racer comes close to his record of success in the ADAC MX Masters. With this latest title win, the 24-year-old, who now lives in Kämpfelbach, Baden-Württemberg, has become a four-time champion in Europe's most popular motocross race series. That gives him a special place in the annals of the sport. For several years now, he has been building a reputation for himself among the senior riders in the premier class. In 2013 and 2014, 'Ulle' (as he is known to his friends and fans) made it onto the top step of the victor's podium. There was then a minor blip in 2015 when he had to settle for the runner-up spot. But in both 2016 and 2017, he took the lead after the second ADAC MX Masters weekend on the calendar and defended it right through to the end of the campaign: "Frankly, the factor that has motivated me most in winning this fourth title was the prospect of becoming the most successful Masters contestant of all time. Many of the races took place not far from my home, so I could always rely on a big following. And that makes winning the title all the sweeter."

So, what is the secret behind Dennis Ullrich's outstanding record? When you first get to know him, you might not even suspect that he is such a fighter on the race track. Ulle seems rather shy and avoids being the centre of attention, let alone getting involved in a media storm. Instead, the KTM Sarholz Racing Team rider prefers to retire to his motorhome when the motocross action on the circuit is over and relax. And these are the qualities that make him such an unpredictable opponent, because Ulle never reveals his hand to opponents. The only person who gets near him immediately before a race is his mechanic and best friend Robbie. At this stage, the two of them are totally engrossed in their preparations for the race.

The MX-Star is in his element when revving up his bike at the starting gate. For the past few years, Dennis Ullrich has been known as the best starter in the field. In 2013 and 2014, he won the Red Bull Holeshot Award in addition to his two titles. It happened again in 2016, and he has repeated the feat this year.

It is a record of success that stretches back some time now but was many years in the making. Born in Lauingen on the Danube, Ulle grew up in the city of Ulm, Bavaria. He first got onto a bike at the age of five, only dismounting again when the fuel tank was empty. From that moment on, it was clear to the youngster how he intended to spend all his free time. Twelve months later, the six-year-old signed up for his first race. Thanks to the regular instruction he received from his father, he became championship runner-up in the 50cc class. At the age of ten, he was German champion in the 65cc class. In 2008, the young motocross racer lifted the trophy as German Junior champion in the 85cc class and also finished the season as runner-up in the ADAC MX Junior Cup. Under his new coach and mentor, Thomas Kneip, he won the 2010 ADAC MX Youngster Cup, and in 2012, one year before his first ADAC MX Masters win, he became the German MX2 champion.

If Ullrich sets his mind to a task, then there are no half measures. He already began recruiting sponsors in his ADAC MX Junior Cup campaign of 2008. At that time, Ulle was a member of the KTM Kosak junior squad. In 2010, he joined Honda Waldmann and stayed with them for the next two years. Since 2012, he has part of the KTM Sarholz Racing family, with only a one-year interruption in 2015 when he signed for Team Castrol Power 1 Suzuki Moto-Base. At KTM, he feels well looked after, and when Dennis Ullrich feels good, he is on peak form - as he proved again this year.