The ADAC MX Masters finale is being held at Holzgerlingen this weekend (22nd/23rd September). The fact that the championship winners in all four classes have yet to be decided will ensure that we see plenty of exciting racing at the 1.8-km Schützenbühlring circuit. The grass track with clay soil that affords plenty of grip is laid out on two slopes facing each other and can be seen by spectators practically in its entirety.
In the ADAC MX Masters class, 21-year-old Henry Jacobi (STC Husqvarna Racing) has a comfortable 33-point lead as he heads to Holzgerlingen. He announced just a few days ago that his plans for the future have been finalised, and he intends to contest the 2019 MX2 World Championship on a Kawasaki prepared by F & H Racing. He can now turn his thoughts to the task in hand and concentrate fully on the ADAC MX Masters finale. "The penultimate championship race at Gaildorf did not go perfectly for me," said Jacobi candidly. "But I've got a big lead as we head to Holzgerlingen, big enough for it not to matter even if I fail to finish one of the races. I'm in an excellent position and intend to use it to wrap up the title come what may."
In view of that, his main rival, Jeffrey Dewulf (KTM Sarholz Racing Team) has only a small chance of lifting the title but it is still, nevertheless, a possibility. The Belgian rider switched to KTM Sarholz Racing before the Tensfeld meeting and feels very much at home, riding for the outfit. "We did some work on testing suspension settings and are definitely on the right track," said Dewulf confidently. "I'm fit and feel great. I'll do my best at Holzgerlingen as always, and then we'll have to see how things go." Dewulf is relatively well placed with a 23-point lead on Jens Getteman (Monster Energy Kawasaki Elf Team Pfeil) in third place, but the battle for the position of runner-up is not over yet, and Getteman will do his best to take second place from his fellow countryman.
Bavarian rider Max Nagl (TM Factory Racing) may no longer be in title contention but intends make his comeback at Holzgerlingen and be in the chase for an overall place on the podium. However, whether the world championship rider will be able to join the line-up at the start is uncertain, because a finger injury is still giving him problems. "I'll do a little bit of testing on the bike and then make a snap decision about whether lining up at Holzgerlingen will be possible," said Nagl earlier this week. However, Hunter Lawrence (KMP-Honda-Racing) is a definite and Jordi Tixier (KTM Sarholz Racing Team) will be making another guest appearance. Both are regarded as certainties to finish on the podium in the Holzgerlingen finale, but local rider Dennis Ullrich (2-Stroke Revolution Racing/KTM) will also be doing everything he can in front of his home crowd at Holzgerlingen to repeat his podium finish from Gaildorf.
ADAC MX Youngster Cup
The battle for the championship is even closer in the ADAC MX Youngster Cup. Australian rider Jett Lawrence (Team Suzuki Germany), who is still only 15, has the best chance of lifting the title. He took over the lead from Roland Edelbacher (Dimoco Europe Racing/KTM) with victory on the day at Gaildorf and showed that he is on fine form with a double victory at the finale of the EMX250 European Championship last weekend. "My first win on the day in the European Championship makes me feel even more self-assured, most definitely," said Lawrence. "I'm heading to Holzgerlingen, feeling good, and would really like to win the title there."
However, Edelbacher, who lost vital points due to a puncture at Gaildorf, is also chasing the same goal. "That was, of course, very frustrating," said the Austrian rider about his bad luck. "But that's just the way racing is sometimes. However, the title is still up for grabs!" Three other riders, Richard Sikyna (JD Gunnex KTM Racing Team), Hardi Roosiorg (WZ-Racing/KTM) and Dylan Walsh (Team Diga-Procross/Husqvarna), also still have a chance on paper of taking victory overall, which should ensure plenty of exciting racing in this hard-fought class.
ADAC MX Junior Cup 125
The title decider in the ADAC MX Junior Cup 125 is between Filip Olsson (Team DIGA-Procross/Husqvarna) and Raf Meuwissen (Raths Motorsports/KTM). These two rivals have excelled with their amazing consistency so far this season and are separated by just seven points. Both have already proven that they can be fast in all track conditions, and so, the title fight is still wide open, even if Olsson has a slim seven-point lead ahead of the final races.
Lion Florian (KTM) is in third place with quite a big 32-point deficit on Olsson and consequently, has only a chance in theory of winning the title, but Florian, who is sponsored by the ADAC Sports Foundation, is on terrific form, which he proved by taking victory on the day at Gaildorf. He will want to get really stuck in at Holzgerlingen and push even further forwards. "A lot can happen in motocross," he told us. "I'll give it my best shot and then we'll just have to see where I finally end up." Raivo Dankers (Team RD10 by Mefo Sport/KTM) is 13 points down on Florian, but the Dutch rider is one of the best in the category and could still be a threat to the German.
ADAC MX Junior Cup 85
The penultimate race at Gaildorf did nothing to make the position any clearer in the ADAC MX Junior Cup 85. Camden McLellan (Cossack Racing Team/KTM) and Liam Everts (KTM) both came away with 47 points, thus postponing the title decider until the final meeting at Holzgerlingen. However, South African rider Mc Lellan is eleven points up on his Belgian rival, and as a result, will start out with a definite advantage, especially in view of the fact that he has demonstrated a high degree of consistency so far and has finished every points-scoring race on the podium.
With a 37-point deficit, Constantin Piller (Mefo Sport Racing Team/MSC Freisinger Bear/KTM) may be down but not entirely out of contention at Holzgerlingen and will be looking to seize his chance. The 14-year-old Bavarian was still suffering the effects of a thumb injury at Gaildorf, causing him to lose ground a little to the front-runners. However, he will be a force to be reckoned with once again in the finale.
Holzgerlingen is about 25 kilometres to the southwest of Stuttgart and is easily reached via the A81 motorway. The organising club, KFV Kalteneck eV, has a long history and is very experienced at running motocross events. What's more, the whole of this region is a real Mecca for motocross which has a loyal fan base there. Many of them can be expected at the Schützenbühlring, particularly as good weather is expected. 'Friends Live' pop and rock band will keep everyone entertained in the marquee at the track on Friday evening and give a second concert on Saturday evening while families with children can have plenty of fun in the ADAC Insurance bouncy castle and at the ADAC Young Generation Suzuki quad circuit. There will be an autograph-signing session on Sunday afternoon at 11:45 am with Henry Jacobi, Jeffrey Dewulf, Jens Getteman, Hunter Lawrence and Jordi Tixier. These top riders from the ADAC MX Masters will be at the ADAC truck for half-an-hour or so to sign autographs and take selfies with fans. A big party with the annual award ceremony for all the various champions and prize winners will be held on Sunday evening at 6:00 pm to round off the season.
A weekend ticket for adults costs 20 euros. Admission on Sunday is 16 euros. Teenagers aged from 12 to 18 can attend for free on Saturday but must pay 10 euros on Sunday. Admission to the meeting is free for children under 12 accompanied by an adult.