The ADAC MX Masters will have a very strong, very evenly matched field of riders in 2019. Fans can look forward to seeing top-class motorsport and thrilling races in the seven races that go to make up the German International Motocross Championship. Fürstlich Drehna will be the venue for the first showdown on April 14th when the title favourites and ambitious young talents will compete against each other for the first time this season.

From a German perspective, Dennis Ullrich (Bodo Schmidt Motorsport/Husqvarna) and Max Nagl (KTM Sarholz Racing Team) are hot favourites for the overall win. After a year on a 2-stroke motorcycle, Ullrich will be returning to a 450cc four-stroke machine similar to the one that practically every rider in the field uses and thinks he will be much faster as a result. "Riding the two-stroke bike was great fun," said the four-time Masters Champion. "But forward progress is a great deal simpler with a four-stroke bike, especially at the start, which makes life much easier. What's more, I can see from my lap times in practice that I'm considerably faster on the 450. My riding technique has definitely not deteriorated compared to last year, so I feel very confident about this season."

Bavarian rider Max Nagl will race a KTM in the current season after being signed to use a factory bike from Italian manufacturer TM and was brimming with confidence as he tackled the first round of the world championship in Argentina this March. However, he sustained a knee injury, which will consign him to the role of spectator at the opener in Fürstlich Drehna. "My knee was stabilized in an operation, but unfortunately, I will have to rest it for a few weeks," said the Masters champion from 2006 and 2008. "I hope to be fit again for the second race at Möggers and be able to go on the attack there. I've not written off my chances of winning this year's title just yet!"

Apart from these two top favourites, four more German riders - Tom and Tim Koch (both KTM Sarholz Racing Team), Mike Stender (Kosak Racing Team) and Stefan Ekerold (Castrol Power 1 Suzuki Motobase) - would like to be in title contention in 2019. And let's not forget 20-year-old Brian Hsu (HTS KTM Team), another top challenger with roots firmly planted in Germany. The German-Taiwanese rider struggled with a shoulder injury last year that took a long time to heal but intends to accomplish a great deal this season as he joins the hunt for the Masters title. He won the ADAC MX Youngster Cup in 2015 and would like to shine again this year in front of home fans.

However, there are several top international riders, some of whom are very experienced in the motocross world championship and have already achieved a lot of international success, who are keen to thwart the title aspirations of their German opponents. Among them is the Estonian, Tanel Leok (A1M Husqvarna Racing). He competed as a guest rider in last year's ADAC MX Masters at Tensfeld where he won both races confidently. He liked the idea of contesting a full Masters season and intends to join this year's hunt for the overall title. Spanish rider Jose Butron (JD Gunnex KTM Racing Team) is another experienced top contender, who would love to clinch overall victory in the series. He is no stranger to the ADAC MX Masters either, having previously won several races in the series.

25-year-old Belgian rider Jens Getteman (Monster Energy Kawasaki Elf Team Pfeil) too is a stalwart of the Masters scene. He has ridden regularly in Germany for several years now and was championship runner-up in the 2017 ADAC MX Masters. He intends to go all-out on the attack again this year after recovering from injury. The following riders are also possible top contenders: Matiss Karro (Husqvarna), Davy Pootjes (DIGA Procross Husqvarna), Bence Szvoboda (HTS KTM Team), Jeremy Delince (KMP Honda Racing) and Richard Sikyna (JD Gunnex KTM Racing Team), who finished third in last year's ADAC MX Youngster Cup.

In addition, a number of top Austrian riders are ready to put their mark on the ADAC MX Masters, especially Lukas Neurauter (KTM Sarholz Racing Team) from Tyrol, who won both the winter motocross in Frankenbach and the first round of the DM Open in Schnaitheim. He could certainly be a title contender in 2019 if he can maintain his form. 25-year-old Pascal Rauchenecker (Classic Oil/SHR Motorsports) would also love to join the ranks of potential title winners. He has focused on enduro sport during the last two years but is returning to motocross and his roots in motorsport this season.