Munich: In just two weeks’ time, the first race of the 2018 ADAC MX Masters will be contested at Fürstlich Drehna. The ‘Circuit around Mühlberg Hill’ hosts the first weekend of the new season (21st/22nd April), on which more than 260 registered riders will be competing in four classifications. Heading the list of favourites in the top tier of the four classes, the ADAC MX Masters itself, is four-time champion Dennis Ullrich (2-Stroke Revolution Racing/KTM). The 24-year-old is likely to attract even more attention than usual this year, as he is the only entrant in the Masters class on a 300cc two-stroke motorcycle. Ullrich has willingly compromised on engine performance in order to satisfy his personal preferences in setup. The KTM rider can expect strong competition from German World Championship contestants Max Nagl (TM) and Henry Jacobi (STC Husqvarna Racing). This year, Nagl is riding a thorough-bred factory machine from Italian manufacturer TM, on which he has already achieved some Top Ten finishes in the opening rounds of the WRC. Jacobi has started the season in fine form, celebrating a maiden World Championship podium in Italy last weekend. Another top rider from the World Championship is Hunter Lawrence (KMP-Honda Racing). The Australian, who already made a big impression in the Masters class last year, is hoping a hand injury will have cleared up in time for the start of the season at Fürstlich Drehna.

Meanwhile, the supply of young talent challenging for the ADAC MX Youngster Cup seems inexhaustible. No wonder, as the class enjoys a high international reputation and is regarded as a springboard to a successful career. There are several major contenders for the 2018 title. Among the most talented is Rene Hofer (KTM Junior Racing), who won the 2016 ADAC MX Junior Cup. The Austrian teenager was in a dazzling form in the opening event of the European EMX125 Championship at Valkenswaard, dominating the race throughout. In Marcel Staufer (KINI KTM Junior Team), the class has another Austrian aiming to be among the front-runners. Kim Savaste (Monster Energy Kawasaki Elf Team Pfeil) and Gradie Featherstone (Team Castrol Power 1 Suzuki Moto-Base) are two top-class riders with plenty of international experience who would also like to have a say in the destination of the title.

The ADAC MX Junior Cup 125 class is part of the weekend schedule for the first time this year. It fills the gap between the ADAC MX Junior Cup and the ADAC MX Youngster Cup. This newly created category for 125cc two-stroke motorcycles has also attracted a high number of registrations and is providing yet another entry point into the sport for talented young riders. Filip Olsson (Mefo Sport Racing Team, Husqvarna) is tipped to do well. The young Swede was in magnificent form in the opener of the European EMX125 Championship, finishing a creditable runner-up to Rene Hofer. Raivo Dankers (Team RD10 by Mefo Sport, KTM) and Raf Meuwissen (Raths Motorsports/KTM) are two young Dutch riders intent on taking the title back across the border with them. Standing in their way are German junior hopefuls Simon Längenfelder (Pfeil Husqvarna Junior Team) and Lion Florian (KTM), both protégés of the ADAC Sports Foundation.

The ADAC MX Junior Cup 85 is one of the strongest classes in Europe for the next generation of motocross star contestants. It is the ideal category for the very youngest riders to earn their spurs and get a taste of professional racing. Quite a few of the best motocrossers in Europe have taken their first steps in the ADAC MX Junior Cup, so it is not surprising that registrations have come in from all over Europe in 2018. The ADAC MX Junior Cup 85 is always good for surprise results, so it is hard to identify any favourites at this stage. German fans will be pinning their hopes on Paul Bloy (Bauerschmidt KTM), Valentin Kees (Team Waldmann/Husqvarna) and Nick Domann (Kosak Racing Team/KTM). Likewise Cato Nickel (A-Team Neustrelitz/KTM) and Constantin Piller (Mefo Sport Racing Team/MSC Freisinger Bär/KTM), both of whom are receiving support from the ADAC Sports Foundation. It will also be exciting to watch the first career steps of Liam Everts (KTM). The Belgian is the son of ten-time motocross world champion Stefan Everts and is already considered to be one of the biggest talents to have recently emerged on the scene.