The sixth round of the 2018 ADAC MX Masters at Gaildorf this coming weekend (8th/9th September) ushers in the decisive phase of this year’s championship. With only two events to go, the title contests in the four classes (ADAC MX Masters, ADAC MX Youngster Cup, ADAC MX Junior Cup 125 and ADAC MX Junior Cup 85) are entering the home straight. The 1,654-metre Auf der Wacht circuit is a classic open hillside track which provides excellent visibility for spectators. MSC Gaildorf have hosted many successful events in the past, including some world championship races, and their experience guarantees professional organisation and the best possible racing conditions.

The ADAC MX Masters class is currently led by Henry Jacobi (STC Husqvarna Racing) ahead of Jeffrey Dewulf (KTM Sarholz Racing Team) and Max Nagl (TM Factory Racing). Jacobi, who comes from Bad Sulza near Weimar, will be looking to defend or even extend his 22-point lead in Baden-Württemberg. He has made good use of the six-week break of the ADAC MX Masters and racked up a respectable points tally in the MX2 World Championship. The 21-year-old most recently finished in the Top Ten of the World Championship race in Turkey and will justifiably go into the Gaildorf weekend brimming with confidence.

Dewulf has by no means written off his chances of winning the title. The Belgian is also in top form and has proven several times this season that he is extremely fast - and not only on sandy soil. "Because I come from Belgium, a lot of people assume that I'm a sand specialist, but I’m also OK on hard surfaces," assures Dewulf. There is, however, a question mark over Max Nagl's fitness. The Bavarian is still feeling the effects of a finger injury sustained six weeks ago, and it is probably too much to expect that he will in full possession of his physical resources at Gaildorf. "The mobility of the finger is unfortunately still limited," says Nagl. "But I will definitely try to put in a competitive performance. I know there will be a lot of fans at Gaildorf who want to see me on the track, and I don’t want to disappoint them."

Hunter Lawrence (KMP-Honda-Racing) has only been able to compete in two of the ADAC MX Masters races so far due to injury, but the Australian will also be a clear podium contender in the Masters class at Gaildorf. In the world championship race in Turkey, the 19-year-old narrowly missed out on the podium in fourth place. The weekend action at Gaildorf will be further enhanced by the presence of some high-calibre guest entrants. Most prominent among them will be Jordi Tixier, MX2 World Champion from the year 2014. The Frenchman is considered to be outstanding on compacted surfaces and could certainly be among the front-runners at Gaildorf. Greg Aranda (Sturm Racing Team) is perhaps better known as a supercross specialist. However, the Frenchman has excellent technical skills and could certainly prove to be the surprise package of the weekend.

In the prestigious ADAC MX Youngster Cup, the battle for the title is also about to enter its sixth round. The class is extremely strong and has produced extremely exciting and spectacular races on more than one occasion this season. Following the injury-related premature end to the campaign for Rene Hofer (KTM Junior Racing), Roland Edelbacher (Dimoco Europe Racing, KTM) goes into the crucial phase of the season with a 12-point advantage over Jett Lawrence (Team Suzuki Germany). After two victories in a row, the Austrian is on a real roll, and the opposition have a fight on their hands if they aim to halt his progress. "At the moment, things are going pretty well for me," says the 19-year-old modestly. "The track at Gaildorf should suit me fine. Let’s see what happens there."

In addition to Lawrence, there are at least four other riders who are also good for a place on the winner’s rung of the podium: Michi Sandner (Thermotec Racing KTM / Mefo Sport Racing Team), Richard Sikyna (JD Gunnex KTM Racing Team), Hardi Roosiorg (WZ-Racing, KTM) and Dylan Walsh (Team Diga-Procross, Husqvarna). In the overall standings, Sandner is in fourth place but already 26 points adrift of fellow Austrian Edelbacher. Jeremy Sydow, currently eighth, goes into the weekend as the best-placed German contestant. The youngster from Saxony has already made two podium appearances this year and will obviously be hoping to be up there again at Gaildorf.

With four fixtures of the 2018 ADAC MX Junior Cup 125 now complete, a two-horse race seems to have developed between Filip Olsson (Team DIGA-Procross, Husqvarna) and Raf Meuwissen (Raths Motorsports, KTM). With four opportunities to score points remaining, the two are separated by only 15 points, and Meuwissen is certainly still in contention for the title. There are three German riders in the championship Top Ten: ADAC Sports Foundation protégé Lion Florian (KTM), Simon Längenfelder (Pfeil Husqvarna Junior Team) and Maximilian Spies (ADAC Berlin-Brandenburg, Husqvarna). All three of them have good chances of moving up the table. In fact, Florian is only three points behind third-placed Raivo Dankers (Team RD10 by Mefo Sport, KTM).

Things are also about to hot up in the ADAC MX Junior Cup. This category for up-and-coming young riders, which is contested on 85cc two-stroke machines, has turned into a three-way tussle between Camden McLellan (Kosak Racing Team, KTM), Liam Everts (KTM) and Constantin Piller (Mefo Sport Racing Team / MSC Freisinger Bär, KTM). McLellan is best placed at the moment, nine points ahead of Everts and with a 19-point cushion to Piller, but the South African has no intention of easing up at Gaildorf. "Liam and Constantin are both very fast, so I cannot afford any mistakes," says the 14-year-old. "There are sure to be some exciting races, and I will do my utmost to bring the title home."

Gaildorf is located approximately 60 kilometres northeast of Stuttgart in Baden-Württemberg and has established a reputation for staging attractive motocross races that extends far beyond the region. Just how popular the venue is with ADAC MX Masters riders and team support staff is demonstrated by its nomination as Bester Veranstalter (Best Organiser) on no fewer than six occasions. Gaildorf has also won the Best Track award in the ADAC MX Masters for the fourth time in succession. The evening entertainment in the MSC Gaildorf marquee has also achieved legendary status. This year, the headline act on Friday evening will be Zillertal Power. Playing at the MX Party on Saturday evening will be the cover band SHARK. Families with children will welcome the presence of the ever-popular ADAC Unfallschutz bouncy castle and the ADAC Young Generation Suzuki quad course. There will be an autograph session at 11.45am on Sunday, with Henry Jacobi, Jeffrey Dewulf, Max Nagl, Hunter Lawrence and Jordi Tixier in attendance. These top riders from the ADAC MX Masters will be available for a half-hour session of autograph signing and selfies with the fans in front of the ADAC truck.

A weekend ticket for adults (including the evening programme of entertainment in the marquee) costs 28.00 euros. The entrance fee on Sunday when the races take place is 18.00 euros. Admission is free for children under the age of 16 when accompanied by an adult.