Maximilian Spies may be only 16 but won through in the 2020 ADAC MX Youngster Cup against some pretty strong competition. The championship decider between the two ADAC Sports Foundation protégés Lion Florian and Maximilian Spies remained wide open and exciting until the very last round. With this title win, however, Spies has finally emerged from the shadow of some of his fellow German motocross competitors both metaphorically speaking and in actual fact, because, despite his young age, he is now very tall and looks older than he actually is. In 2016, Max was crowned German Youth Motocross Champion in the 85 cc category. He finished runner-up in the German 125 cc class in 2017 and 2018 before moving up to compete in the ADAC MX Youngster Cup on a 250 cc motorcycle in 2019. And now finally, he has achieved his greatest sporting success to date, claiming victory and the title in the 2020 ADAC MX Youngster Cup.

Congratulations on winning the ADAC MX Youngster Cup title! How does it feel now?

Maximilian Spies: "It feels really nice! The races were exciting and I had to fight. But in the last round, I was able to quickly build up my rhythm and speed, and the showers of rain at times did me no harm either. I didn't make any mistakes as I had done in some of the previous races, and everything went according to plan."

As the last day of racing began, just two points separated you and Lion Florian. Did that put a lot of pressure on you initially?

"I was very nervous at first but then managed to relieve the tension. I was very calm in the end, especially after taking the lead in the third race after the start."

What was the secret behind your success in this short season?

"Lion always got away to a good start. It was one of his strengths, so I constantly practised starting. When things eventually got serious, I just went for it in the races and got away from the starting gate really well. Training hard during the week was another factor behind this success, and my sponsors too were very important parts of the jigsaw. I had a few minor problems in the spring but was able to resolve them quickly and thus continue training as planned thanks to my sponsors."

You also compete in the EMX and recently took your first championship points. How do you rate this title win in the ADAC MX Youngster Cup?

"Well, it's definitely a major title and a big step forward for me. I never thought for one minute last year that I would pull it off! As far as I'm concerned, riding in the ADAC MX Youngster Cup is the same as competing at European Championship level. My goal for next year is to have a crack at winning the EMX250 title, and I now know that I've got the speed to do it

Did you see yourself winning the title when the circuits for the ADAC MX Masters short season were announced?

"To finish in the Top Three was our goal for the year right from the start, but then, as the season began, I said to mum and dad: 'I'm going to win. You watch!' Sand isn't really my thing and the other guys were quite good, but in the end, I'm the one who finished on top. Of course, it's a shame that the season only consisted of two meetings. I would have loved to have ridden on my home track at Fürstlich Drehna."

How did you get started in motocross?

"My dad used to ride motocross and supermoto too. He has even competed in the European championship with support from Husqvarna. As a result, my early childhood years were spent at the racetrack. The excitement, the dirt, the jumps, I loved it all as a kid. When I was three, I got a PW50 to ride around the yard. I rode in my first race when I was six and by the time I was ten or eleven, we gradually began to realise that I was a little bit better than the other kids. We decided to go for it and now I'm where I am today, champion at last."

Are you already a full-time professional rider?

"No. Motocross isn't making me any money just yet and we still have a lot to pay out. I took my exams this year and am finished with school for the present. My results were actually very good! If things don't work out with riding as hoped, I could go back to school to take more exams or perhaps do an apprenticeship, but we've put all that on the backburner for the moment, and I'm going to concentrate fully on turning professional."

What are your plans for 2021?

"I intend moving up to the ADAC MX Masters class next year and will ride a 350 cc Husqvarna. The Husqvarna Maddii Junior Team thought I should contest the EMX250 again, because I could maybe win a major title there. At the same time, I would love to compete in the MX2 World Championship and the team have got my hopes up by telling me I can ride in the MX2 Grand Prix, as there are no clashes of dates with the EMX 250. I will definitely try to make it into the Top Ten in the World Cup next year. I will still get support from the Husqvarna factory but will continue to ride for Maddii, which I'm very pleased about."