The first day of the final meeting of the ADAC MX Masters on Holzgerlingen's grippy track was marked by mild temperatures. Riders enjoyed almost perfect conditions at the 1.8-km Schützenbühlring track thanks to good work by members of the organising club, KFV Kalteneck eV. Many spectators came to enjoy the sunny weather and watch qualifying in all the various classes and the first race in the ADAC MX Junior Cup 85.
Hunter Lawrence (KMP-Honda Racing) posted the fastest lap time of 2:03.095 minutes to secure pole position in the ADAC MX Masters class. "The ground is quite hard, so there were not too many rutted tracks in the corners. I felt comfortable and was able to post some pretty hot laps," said the Australian, who is riding a 450cc Honda this time around. "At Gaildorf, I took out my 250cc bike for training purposes. It's the machine I intend to use in the World Cup, but I just wanted to have some fun here, and so, went for the bigger machine."
Henry Jacobi came home right behind Lawrence with only a half-second deficit to secure the second-fastest lap time. "I think I could have gone even faster, as I had to break off from my hot lap just before the end, unfortunately, because there was too much traffic up ahead of me," said the championship leader after his qualifying session. "I attacked again towards the end but didn't want to take too many risks or do anything stupid. I've got a pretty comfortable lead in the championship, and if I can do well in tomorrow's two rounds, then we should be able to lift the title. I might even be able to do it in the first race."
Jordi Tixier, who is lining up with KTM Sarholz Racing for the first time at Holzgerlingen, was the fastest rider in the second qualifying group. Nevertheless, the Frenchman was not completely satisfied with his performance. "Unfortunately, I was not the fastest overall, but we'll all be riding in the same race tomorrow, and then things will be very different." Jeffrey Dewulf (KTM Sarholz Racing Team), who is the only rider to still have a chance of challenging Jacobi for the title, will be in 10th place at the starting gate tomorrow.
Max Nagl (TM Factory Racing) is making his comeback at Holzgerlingen after a long absence through injury and put on a good show by setting the fourth-fastest time in his group. "Of course, I'm still a good way off my best form," said the Bavarian. "Also, my finger is still causing me a lot of pain, so I mustn't overdo it. Still, I've made it to the start, which makes me feel really good."
ADAC MX Youngster Cup
Roland Edelbacher (Dimoco Europe Racing/KTM), one of the title contenders in the ADAC MX Youngster Cup, posted fastest time in qualifying. The Austrian had punctured last time out at Gaildorf and failed to score in the penultimate race, causing him to fall back behind Jett Lawrence (Team Suzuki Germany) in the championship standings. "I took a pretty bad tumble last weekend while racing in Austria," said the Austrian. Fortunately, I don't appear to be feeling the effects of that much today. I felt pretty good riding here, and of course, I'm delighted with pole position, because I've not yet given up hope in the title fight. I'm 13 points down, but a lot can happen in motocross. My goal tomorrow is to take two wins. I can't do any more than that."
Jett Lawrence is not necessarily a specialist where qualifying is concerned and was pleased to secure fourth place in his group on Saturday. Richard Sikyna (JD Gunnex KTM Racing Team) in third place, though, really got down to business and was able to post the fastest lap in the first qualifying group. "The track had already dried out a bit in our qualifying session and reminded me of my training course at home," said the Czech rider. "I feel great at the Schützenbühlring and of course, pole position gives me an extra dose of confidence for tomorrow's races, but I won't be able to win the title entirely by my own efforts. Still, I will definitely try to finish on the podium."
ADAC MX Junior Cup 125
In the ADAC MX Junior Cup 125, Lion Florian (KTM) was at the top of the timesheets in qualifying for quite a long time but had to give way to a final push from Raf Meuwissen (Raths Motorsports/KTM). The Dutchman improved his time on his last flying lap to 2:08.558 minutes, thus securing pole position for the two races on Sunday. "Things did not go well initially," said Meuwissen, who is in second place in the championship, just two points behind Filip Olssen (Team Diga-Procross/Husqvarna). "In the end though, I got a good lap and was able to go into the lead. Pole position is great, but you mustn't overestimate its value, as the points won't be handed out until Sunday. I'll try to make a good start in both races and then see how it goes. I don't want to think too much about the title fight but focus on my race." Olsson, who is on 200 points and leads the ADAC MX Junior Cup 125, finished in fifth place almost 2.5 seconds behind Meuwissen.
ADAC MX Junior Cup 85
In the ADAC MX Junior Cup 85, the scrap between Camden Mc Lellan (Kosak Racing Team/KTM) and Liam Everts (KTM) continued in qualifying. Neither of them gave the other any quarter, showing their determination yet again. Everts finally took pole position on his last hot lap to secure pole with a very narrow lead of 0.126 seconds on Mc Lellan. The start of the first race on Saturday afternoon did not go too badly for Everts, but he fell at the first corner and had to charge up the field from behind. Mc Lellan, meanwhile, was going well in the leading group and went into P1 on Lap 4. The South African then controlled the race from the front to secure a comfortable victory. "My start was not good, but I was able to quickly push forwards," said a delighted Mc Lellan. "As I was in the lead, I didn't want to take too many risks. I'll now have to go out and do it all again tomorrow in order to secure the title."
Mc Lellan was unable to celebrate an early title win, though, despite Everts falling, as Stefan Everts, the son of ten-time world champion, made a very impressive charge, moving into fifth place and thus keeping the fight for the title open. Nick Domann (Kosak Racing Team/KTM), who took second place from Frenchman Maxime Grau (Sturm Racing Team/Husqvarna) and was thus able to make his first podium appearance of the year, also turned in a strong performance. "I was lucky in that I was able to just charm my way through the chaos in the first corner," he said with a chuckle. "I then quickly realised that a place in the Top Three was within striking distance and pushed hard. It's great to finally finish on the winner's podium again!"