Simon Längenfelder first entered the ADAC MX Junior Cup 125 in the 2018 season at the tender age of 14, and immediately adapted to the challenge. The Bavarian made three podium appearances and, thanks especially to a strong performance in the final fixture of the campaign at Holzgerlingen, finished the season as fourth in the newly created class for 125cc machines. An outcome that did not go unnoticed by the ADAC MX Masters organisers and by series partner Leatt who conferred the Rookie of the Year award on the youngster in the closing ceremony. This year, 15-year-old Längenfelder sees himself as almost an 'old hand' in the class and consequently has set his sights on the title. "Things went quite well last year," says an upbeat Längenfelder. "I've continued to develop positively over the winter, and I'm hoping for overall victory this year." A prospect that Längenfelder backed up with a comfortable double victory in the season opener at Fürstlich Drehna.

The talented Bavarian teenager was discovered by Jochen Schöffel and Hubert Nagl. Schöffel is still there, working in partnership with Karl Klopffleisch to build a bike chassis for Längenfelder that will keep him on track, both literally and figuratively. Simon has also come to the attention of other motocross experts and is clearly benefiting from being part of a professional environment. Support is provided not only by Team WZ Racing who signed Längenfelder up for the current season but also by the ADAC Sports Foundation. In addition, Simon has an exceptionally experienced coach in Bernd Eckenbach who not only directs the physical side of training but also subjects the riding skills of his protégé to regular detailed analysis.

Längenfelder's first successes came in the 65 class. Following victories in a number of national-level series, the junior won the CROSS Finals in 2015 and went on to secure his first German Championship title in 2017 on an 85cc bike. Last year, he came fourth in the ADAC MX Junior Cup 125 and put in some noteworthy performances in the European Championship EMX125, including a third-place finish in the Latvian round of the European Championship.

The move to WZ Racing earlier this year promises to bring further progress in his motocross career. "At the end of the year, we checked out a number of offers from various teams and finally decided on WZ Racing," says Simon's father, Reinhard. "And it's a decision we have not regretted. Simon has very strong team-mates there and is often allowed to train with the senior riders. This is a very good situation that will certainly have a positive influence on his development. We're looking forward to a hopefully successful season with many good races."