In fantastic summer weather and perfect racing conditions, 10,500 fans came through the gates to watch the 2018 ADAC MX Masters opener. Max Nagl (TM) was already the fastest rider in qualifying and stamped his authority on the Sunday proceedings as well. Race 1 was a clear-cut victory for the 30-year-old who took the lead as early as the second corner and left no-one in any doubt about his intentions. “I could not quite open up the gap I would have liked, as I was carrying a minor injury from Saturday,” said the winner. “But I got my head down and ultimately won by a comfortable margin. However, it was anything but easy, as the track was very tricky.” In the second moto, the Bavarian had to pull out all the stops after Henry Jacobi (STC Husqvarna Racing) won the Red Bull Holeshot and doggedly defended the lead over the first few laps. “Henry and I laid on an attractive race,” said Nagl afterwards. “I think that was quite entertaining for the spectators. Unfortunately for him, he took a tumble towards the middle of the race. That obviously worked in my favour. Fürstlich Drehna was a great weekend for us. Good weather, lots of spectators and a successful outing for TM and me. I’ll be more than happy if the season carries on this way!”

Although Henry Jacobi was fairly annoyed about his mishap in the second race, he too put in a really strong performance. “My start in the first race was not good, and Max was already long gone by the time I worked my way up to P2. For the second race, I had resolved to start better. I was successful in that regard, and I was able to hold on to the lead for quite a long time. Until, that is, I came off my bike, which put an abrupt end to the battle with Max. In any case, I’m very satisfied with my performance and with second place in the Sunday standings. All in all, it was a really successful weekend.” Third on the day was Jeffrey Dewulf (Motorshop Desmet-KTM). He did not have a good start in either race but was able to fight his way forward twice to finish third and fourth, which was enough for P3 on the Sunday podium. “A good start to the series,” said the Belgian. “One that I can build on in the next few races.”

ADAC MX Youngster Cup

In the ADAC MX Youngster Cup, the crowd witnessed two absolutely thrilling races. With the runner-up spot in the first moto and victory in the second, Rene Hofer (KTM Junior Racing) claimed overall victory in the highly competitive junior class. “The holeshot in the second race obviously made my job easier,” said Hofer with a chuckle. “That was only my second race in the ADAC MX Youngster Cup, and I really hadn’t expected to get my campaign off to such a flying start. We will now travel to Mölln for the second fixture on the calendar feeling very optimistic. Let’s see how things turn out there.” Second in the Sunday standings was Dylan Walsh (Team Diga-Procross, Husqvarna), who had to fend off attacks from Australia’s Jett Lawrence (Team Suzuki Germany) in a tense conclusion to the second race. “Yes, in the final metres it was pretty tight, but I managed to stay ahead,” said Walsh. “Considering that we have almost no sand at home in New Zealand and I didn’t feel at all comfortable here in Drehna, that was a very good result. I’m looking forward to the first races on a hard surface.”

ADAC MX Junior Cup 125

The newly inaugurated ADAC MX Junior Cup 125 class was contested for the first time at Fürstlich Drehna. It was created to provide an intermediate category between the former ADAC MX Junior Cup and the ADAC MX Youngster Cup. The first winner to enter the record books was Raivo Dankers (Team RD10 by Mefo Sport, KTM). “My start in the first race was anything but perfect, but I quickly got into a good rhythm and was able to battle my way through to the front,” said the Dutch teenager. Dankers did not get off to the best of starts in the second race either but found a way past all of his opponents to claim a double victory in the season opener. “Now I’m very excited about what’s in store for me on the next race weekend at Mölln, because I’ve never competed there before.” Second place went to Sweden’s Filip Olssen (Team Diga-Procross, Husqvarna), who staked his claim on Saturday with the fastest time in qualifying: “I’ve felt very good here right from the start, and I’m satisfied with second place, which is something I can build on.” The best of the German contingent in this highly competitive junior class was Lion Florian (KTM), who is a protégé of the ADAC Sports Foundation. Another strong performer was MSC Fürstlich Drehna club member and local favourite Maximilian Spies (ADAC Berlin-Brandenburg, Husqvarna) from Ortrand. To the delight of the home crowd, he finished the weekend as second-highest placed German rider in P7.

ADAC MX Junior Cup 85

The first race in the ADAC MX Junior Cup 85 was held as early as Saturday. Liam Everts (KTM), the son of ten-time world champion Stefan Everts, dominated the opening race to claim a comfortable win. On Sunday, however, the 13-year-old came under severe pressure from Camden McLellan (Kosak Racing Team, KTM) at the midway point and subsequently had to let the South African go past. “I had a few problems lapping stragglers, and Camden was ultimately just that bit faster,” conceded Everts. “But it was still a good performance with the win on Saturday. In the next race, I’ll try to do better and also take the Sunday trophy.” McLellan had already declared his intention to go for the win on the basis of a good start, and the 13-year-old was as good as his word: “I was able to catch up with Liam in the latter stage of the race and put him under pressure. When he made a small mistake, I seized the opportunity to go for the victory. I am very satisfied with my performance here and think that I can do even better on tracks with a hard surface.” Best of the Germans in the Sunday standings was Paul Bloy (Bauerschmidt KTM) in sixth place.

The best of the action from the ADAC MX Masters will be shown on TV throughout the 2018 season. Motorvision TV channel will be broadcasting the highlights of the seven race weekends in a 30-minute magazine which will go out in more than 100 countries. Motorvision on Sky will be showing the highlights of the ADAC MX Masters season opener at Fürstlich Drehna for the first time on 6th May, starting at 12:45 pm. SPORT1+ will be transmitting the magazine for the first time on 28th April, starting at 11:20.