At the tender age of 15, Tobias Caprani has already established a reputation as an excellent starter, winning five out of twelve starts in the 2019 season and claiming the Red Bull Holeshot trophy. When you take a closer look at the background of the ADAC MX Junior Cup 85 rider from Denmark, it becomes obvious why and how he got involved in motocross. His father, Mikkel Caprani, is one of the most famous Danish motocross riders and the first from his country to have won a European title, namely the 125cc class in 1993. Because Tobias's mother also enjoys off-road biking, you might say he has it in his genes. And the same goes for his brother Silas (11), who intends to contest the ADAC MX Junior Cup 85 next season.

"I started riding a bike at the age of three," Tobias tells us. "Not long after, I competed in my first race. I don't remember which track it was, but I do remember that I won!" From that point on, his career took its natural course, and the 15-year-old is now a regular on the European MX scene. Opponents are especially wary of the speed with which he gets off the mark.

"That doesn't surprise me, because his father was also an outstanding starter," says Herbert Ko¨ak, team boss of the young Dane, with a chuckle. "Tobias has really good reactions at the gate and is absolutely determined to come out top in the start. That's the part of the race which is all about psychology, anyway." Tobias has no explanation for his rocket-like take-off - for him, it's all about what you feel inside. He has obviously practised his starts intensively over many training sessions. "I know from my own experience how important a part of the race the start is," says Caprani senior. "That's why we have done such thorough practice."

"The best thing about motocross is the jumps and whips," adds Tobias. "It's just a great feeling to launch your bike into the air and then whip it round sideways on." But sporting life is not just about enjoyment. The journeys to the race venues are often long, and on Monday, the school week begins again: "I'm fortunate to be at a school that takes a supportive attitude to sport, so there are no problems if I'm a little late or have to leave early on Friday."

The next step forward will be the ADAC MX Junior Cup 125 in 2020. "At home in Denmark, I've already competed in our national championship on the bigger bike, and that went pretty well." Tobias is pleased about his development so far and about graduating to the higher level next year. The family will then travel as a unit to the ADAC MX Masters race events. "This season, it was often the case that Silas was with his mother competing in Denmark while Tobias and I were at the Masters in Germany," explains Mikkel Caprani. "Hopefully, this should get a lot easier next year with Silas competing in the same series."