More than 11,000 fans came to the Möggers MX meet and had a terrific time. The weather played its part too for the second round of the ADAC MX Masters with clear blue skies and wall-to-wall sunshine. This event in Austria on the beautifully situated track run by MCC Möggers is the only round of the International German Championship to take place outside of Germany and featured a really top, world-class field. Jeremy Seewer (Monster Energy Yamaha Factory) and Jeffrey Herlings (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) had an exciting battle to secure the fastest lap time early on in qualifying on Saturday and continued their duel in the two races on Sunday without giving any quarter. Seewer started out from pole position and was able to lead the first race right from the beginning with a hole-shot and successfully kept MXGP World Champion Herlings at bay. "The club has done a really excellent job of preparing the track, world championship standard, for sure. I had a lot of fun today and really enjoyed the races," said the Yamaha works rider. "Jeffrey has been out of action through injury for quite a time, and so of course, we can't expect him to be on top form. Still, I could sense especially at the start that he could keep up with me." The Dutchman then turned the tables in the second race, won through at the start and led the race for twelve laps, but Seewer then launched a surprise attack. "Jeffrey was much faster in the second race and I spent a lot of time thinking about where I could catch him," said Seewer, revealing his tactics. "I tried my luck without success in the pit lane initially. I then found a rut that was quick on the outside of one of the turns and things finally came good for me there."
Herlings was no longer able to find a reply and paid his respects to his rival: "My forearms began to ache and go stiff early on in the first race, so I was not able to maintain my usual pace," said the world champion. "But that's normal after long absence with an injury. Things went much better in the second race and I was able to keep Jeremy behind me for quite a while. But he rode a strong race and would have been a tough nut to crack even if I'd been on top form. Riding in front of all the enthusiastic fans here this weekend was a lot of fun and is brilliant practice for the upcoming world championship races. Let's see now if things work out and I can line up again this year in the ADAC MX Masters."
34-year-old Estonian rider, Tanel Leok (A1M Husqvarna), was third in the daily standings and became the new championship leader. He struggled to get away well in both races and his starts were mediocre. However, he really let fly in the closing stages of both races, set a cracking pace and improved to finish third each time after producing some superb charges up the field. "I had problems finding a good rhythm especially in the second race," he said. "But then things went quite well and I was able to overtake Dennis Ullrich on the last lap." Leok not only took the German's place on the podium but also secured the top position in the overall standings with a four-point lead on Ullrich. 31-year-old Max Nagl (KTM Sarholz Racing Team) did not have a good day as he made his comeback from a knee injury. He started out from fifth on the grid but crashed in the first corner and was unable to continue. He was not seriously injured but could not compete in the second race either.
ADAC MX Youngster Cup
The race in the ADAC MX Youngster Cup turned into a show performance by Jeremy Sydow (DIGA-Procross Husqvarna). The 19-year-old German had broken his hand at the beginning of the season and was forced to rest until just before the races at Möggers. "To be honest, we considered not starting here at all, as I wasn't sure whether it was too early and I was rushing things," he said. "Consequently, I had no great expectations for these races but was pleasantly surprised. I would never have thought it possible for me to come to Austria and secure two wins at the first meeting on my return. This is obviously a major triumph for me and the whole team."
Second place went to Cyril Genot (Genot Racing KTM Team), who has also suffered with injury for quite a long time. "I've got injured a lot in the last few years but am pleased to finally be back in the lead," said the Belgian. Rene Hofer (KTM Junior Racing) had also travelled to his home race with a minor handicap but was on really impressive form especially in the second race. "I tore one of the ligaments in my knee three weeks ago and was therefore a little reluctant to mount an all-out attack in the first round," said Hofer. "However, I then got a terrific start in the second race and was in P2 from the outset. I now know that I can be quick again and am pleased that I was able to defend my championship lead today."
ADAC MX Junior Cup 125
Simon Längenfelder (WZ-Racing/KTM) and Mike Gwerder (Kini KTM Junior Pro Team) had a thrilling battle in the ADAC MX Junior Cup. While Gwerder was able to win the first race, Längenfelder dominated the second round and thus secured victory on the day, tying with Gwerder on points. "I lost pace a bit in the first race towards the end, and Mike did a superb job," said Längenfelder. "I was right behind him in the second race when he crashed and of course, benefited from his misfortune. It might have been a stroke of luck for me, but still, I'm pleased to have finished top on the day. It also means that I retain the championship lead as well."
Gwerder was annoyed at falling but was satisfied overall with the end result. "Möggers is my club and know the track really well," said the Swiss rider. "I'm very pleased to have won the first race and that I was able to put on a good show for the many fans here. The slip-up in the second round was annoying, but at least I was able to quickly continue and finish second." Swiss rider Kevin Brumann (STC Racing IXS/Yamaha) was third and told us how pleased he was at the podium ceremony: "I just wanted to show that I can ride a motorbike. I think I succeeded!"
ADAC MX Junior Cup 85
The first points-scoring race in the ADAC MX Junior Cup was held on Saturday. 14-year-old Latvian rider Edvards Bidzans (MX Modules Husqvarna) was able to dominate both races at Möggers as he had done at Drehna. "My start on Sunday was not optimal," he told us. "But I quickly took the lead and then rode my own race." Julius Mikula (JD Gunnex KTM Racing) secured second place on the day with two P3s and was pleased with his result. "Edvards was a bit too fast today, but I really liked the track and enjoyed the races." Tobias Caprani (Kosak Racing Team/KTM) is always very quick off the mark and finished third in the daily standings. He benefited once more in Austria from one of his rocket starts. "Yes, it's easier if you're in the lead right from the beginning," said the Danish rider with a chuckle after the race. "I was able to ride at my own pace and fourth place was enough to finish on the podium for the day."
The best scenes from the ADAC MX Masters will again feature on TV and around the world on the Internet in 2019. Motorvision TV will broadcast highlights from the seven race weekends to more than 100 countries in a 25-minute magazine programme. On Sport1+, highlights from the ADAC MX Masters at Möggers will be shown for the first time on 8th June, starting at 12:30 pm. Motorvision International will show the magazine programme for the first time on 9th June, again at 12:30 pm. Summaries of events from the races are also available online at adac-mx-masters.de, youtube.de/adac and Facebook.com/adacmxmasters.