The only round of the 2019 ADAC MX Masters to take place outside of Germany will get under way this weekend (June 1st/2nd) at Möggers in Austria, which is some ten kilometres from the eastern shore of Lake Constance, with the second of a total of seven race meets this season. The long-established grass circuit that looks out over Germany's largest lake will be very different to the season opener at Fürstlich Drehna in mid-April. Riders in the four ADAC MX Masters classes had to contend with deep, sandy soil in Brandenburg but will be faced in Vorarlberg with a track that affords plenty of grip, has a hard surface and many uphill and downhill passages.
Möggers will have an excellent field of riders in the line-up to mark this year's 15th anniversary of the ADAC MX Masters. Apart from the usual squad of regular riders, some top-class guest entrants will contest the only round of the International German Championship to be held outside of the country's borders. Two really top riders from the MXGP World Championship, Jeffrey Herlings (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) and Jeremy Seewer (Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP Team), have just recently confirmed their intention to compete at Möggers. Four-time world champion Herlings has been out of action with an injured foot but will make his comeback at Möggers. Seewer, though, is half-way through his season and secured fifth place last weekend in the French World Championship race.
Top German rider, Max Nagl (KTM Sarholz Racing Team), will also make his return to the fray at Möggers. He has been able to train on his bike for a few days now after a knee injury and will be at the starting gate in Austria. "Of course, I don't expect to be on top form," said the Bavarian, sending out a clear signal to his fans, warning them not to expect too much. "But I will do my best and am very pleased to be back racing again."
As you would expect, the best-placed riders from the Fürstlich Drehna season opener are also favourites to do well here, especially championship leader, Jens Getteman (Monster Energy Kawasaki Elf Team Pfeil). The 25-year-old Belgian really likes tracks with a hard surface that afford a lot of grip and will therefore feel very comfortable on the challenging Möggers circuit. "I really like the Austrian circuit," he said. "I was able to finish on the podium there last year and see no reason why that shouldn't happen again. I've got the championship leader's red start number plate on my bike and intend to hang on to it until the end of the season!" But Getteman only has a two-point lead and there's a whole host of riders behind him, who would love to take over the overall lead in Austria. Tanel Leok (A1M Husqvarna), Dennis Ullrich (Bodo Schmidt Motorsport /Husqvarna), Stefan Kjer Olsen (Becker Racing/KTM) and Karlis Sabulis (WZ-Racing / KTM) are all three points at most behind the leader and are very well placed for the remaining races.
From a German perspective, Dennis Ullrich looks the most promising rider to achieve a top-class finish. He has already won the ADAC MX Masters four times and has set his sights high for the current season: "The track at the opener in Fürstlich Drehna did not really suit me," said Ullrich. "And so, I'm really pleased that the grassy circuit at Möggers is next up. I think things will go a lot better for me there."
Two local riders, Pascal Rauchenecker (Classic Oil/SHR Motorsports/KTM) and Lukas Neurauter (KTM Sarholz Racing Team), will also be at the starting gate and will want to be on excellent form in front of the Austrian crowd. Both are good for podium finishes and are itching to rack up decent results in their home round. Two more top riders, Greg Aranda (Sturm Racing Team/Kawasaki) and Justin Starling (Team Castrol Power 1 Suzuki Moto Base), will join the ADAC MX Masters class to liven things up. Aranda finished the Masters race in Gaildorf on the podium last year and could cause another upset at Möggers.
There's also a strong field in the ADAC MX Youngster Cup again this season. The Junior series is well recognised as a route into a professional career and attracts top international riders every year. The Austrian, Rene Hofer (KTM Junior Racing Team), is a clear favourite once again at Möggers after his comfortable double victory in the Fürstlich Drehna season opener but is currently battling knee injury and will therefore be somewhat handicapped.
Again from a German point of view, it will be particularly interesting to see whether Maximilian Spies (ESP MX Racing Team/Husqvarna) can repeat the podium finish from his home race at Fürstlich Drehna when riding on hard ground. Austrian fans spectating at the track will certainly find plenty to keep them interested in this class, because apart from Hofer, two more Austrians, Marcel Stauffer (KTM Sarholz Racing Team) and Michi Sandner (Thermotec Racing KTM Team by Mefo Sport) look good for podiums.
Although there are no Austrians with a chance of winning in the ADAC MX Junior Cup 125, Swiss rider, Mike Gwerder (KINI KTM Junior Pro Team), is in the line-up and is practically a local hero in the border area here. Gwerder has already won at Möggers, taking a win last year and finished third on the day in the season opener at Fürstlich Drehna. However, the German, Simon Längenfelder (WZ-Racing/KTM) is the clear favourite to secure victory. He claimed a podium last year at Möggers and was able to notch up two very impressive victories at the start of the season in Brandenburg. "It's gone very well for me so far," said the 15-year-old with some satisfaction. "I'm looking forward to Möggers, because I really like the Austrian track!"
There was also a rider, who clearly dominated the first race in the ADAC MX Junior Cup 85, and as a result, must be regarded as a clear favourite for victory at Möggers. 13-year-old Edvards Bidzans (MX Module/Husqvarna) secured two very comfortable wins at Fürstlich Drehna and intends to do well again in the Austrian round of the ADAC MX Masters. "I want to win the ADAC MX Junior Cup 85 this year, and of course, to pull that off, I have to do well at Möggers," he told us with a chuckle. "I really like the track and almost made it onto the podium last year, but I'm aiming to finish on the top rung this time." However, both the runner-up, Andreas Krogh Jensen (BvZ Racing Team/KTM) and his main rival, Lucas Bruhn (Becker Racing/KTM) will have something to say about that. Still, when all said and done, the field in the class for the youngest riders between the ages of 10 and 15 is also extremely strong, and so, it could well be a completely different young talent, who finishes on the podium in Austria.
Spectators attending the race meet over the weekend will have plenty to keep them entertained both on and off track. The Suzuki quad circuit and the ADAC Insurance bouncy castle will keep both youngsters and teenagers occupied. Merchandise and motocross accessories will be on sale along the fan mile. There will be a variety of food stalls with culinary delights to suit every taste. The legendary after-race party will be held on Saturday evening with 'Dreirad' pop band. An autograph-signing session is scheduled to take place in front of the marquee on Sunday afternoon from 11:45 to 12:15 am when some of the top stars from the ADAC MX Masters will make themselves available to sign autographs and take selfies with fans. No less than seven top motocross riders will be there - Jeffrey Herlings, Jeremy Seewer, Max Nagl, Jens Getteman, Dennis Ullrich, Tanel Leok and local hero Andy Baumgartner.
The ADAC MX Masters at Möggers is one of the largest sporting events in the area and draws huge crowds of spectators every year. Möggers is very close to the German border in the triangle of land where the three countries - Germany, Austria and Switzerland - meet. Practice out on track will start at 9:00 am on both days. Racing on Sunday will begin at 10:30 am. A weekend ticket costs 28 euros for adults, but if you only want to attend on one of the days, then the cost is 12 euros for Saturday and 18 for Sunday. Admission is free for children under 14. The ticket price for teenagers between the ages of 15-17 is 8 euros on Saturday, 12 euros on Sunday and 18 euros for the whole weekend.