French rider Jordi Tixier of KTM Sarholz Racing Team won the first round of the 2020ADAC MX Masters at Grevenbroich to put himself in a strong position for the truncated title fight. The winners in the other classes were Jörgen-Matthias Talviku (ADAC MX Youngster Cup), Martin Venhoda (ADAC MX Junior Cup 125) and Julek Mikula (ADAC MX Junior Cup 85).
ADAC MX Masters: Tixier makes experience count
In the first round of the ADAC MX Masters class, Belgium’s Brent Van Doninck propelled his Becker Racing Husqvarna to the first official Red Bull Holeshot of the 2020 season. This was on the restart after the race had been halted to recover a rider who had crashed badly. Over the first laps of the race, Van Doninck pulled out a significant lead over Tom Koch who had started behind him from second position.
It was not until the fifth lap that Koch had to give way to his KTM Sarholz Racing team-mate Jordi Tixier. The former MX2 world champion continued to up the pace and steadily close the gap to Van Doninck. Around the halfway stage, Koch had to yield to 2018 ADAC MX Masters Champion Henry Jacobi who had already passed Jeremy Delince on the same lap. With one third of the race remaining, Tixier used his greater experience to deprive Van Doninck of the top spot. The Frenchman then proceeded to extend his lead to 12 seconds at the finish line. Jacobi continued to press the attack but was unable to seriously threaten the Belgian. Harri Kullas also put on a final burst of speed to overtake Koch and move up into fourth place.
“I’m working very hard throughout the week to regain my 2014 level,” said a delighted Tixier. “Brent rode very well, and I am happy to have beaten him on sand. I’m very pleased about the win, but for now, I’m now concentrating on tomorrow so that I do as well as possible. Many thanks to the ADAC and MSC Grevenbroich for making these races happen.”
MX Youngster Cup: Strong German contingent
The first round of the 2020ADAC MX Youngster Cup was a real thriller, with plenty of wheel-to-wheel action and changes of position. Lion Florian was first off the mark but had to surrender the lead to Jörgen-Matthias Talviku at the end of the first lap. The Estonian for his part was only able to hold on to the lead for the next two laps, whereupon he was overtaken by Dutch rider Rick Elzinga. Meanwhile, the winners of the qualifying groups, Maximilian Spies and Marnique Appelt, had to work their way to the front after initially dropping out of the Top Ten.
At the midway point, Elzinga came off his bike and lost several places. This cleared the way for Talviku to cruise through to victory. However, the positions behind him were far from being settled. Lion Florian and Noah Ludwig were fighting a duel for the two remaining podium places but had not reckoned with a late charge from Maximilan Spies who advanced from fifth to second place on the seventh lap. He even had the race leader in his sights, but the gap was too big. The third podium place was claimed by Ludwig who managed to get past Florian late on.
In answer the obvious question in the post-race interview, Talviku said: “Yes, I had expected something of the sort. I’d already had a good quali and was hopeful of a decent result, but Elzinga coming off his bike obviously made my life easier. I’ll try to approach tomorrow’s races in a relaxed frame of mind and use them as good training for the upcoming MXGP and EMX250 events.”
MX Junior Cup 125: Venhoda in control
Cato Nickel had the best start to the race, taking the holeshot, but Martin Venhoda then asserted control over the MX Junior Cup 125 on the first lap. The Czech drove a measured race to the finish after pulling out a small lead early on. There was a lot happening behind him, however. Constantin Piller dropped back from third to sixth place in the early stages after taking a tumble. Switzerland’s Kevin Brumann was able to push past Nickel in the middle of the race to take second position. Max Palson was also on a charge, getting himself on the tail of Nickel and shortly thereafter exploiting a mistake by the German to move into the Top Three. Palson got himself onto Brumann’s rear wheel three laps before the end of the race and successfully put the Swiss rider under pressure. Brumann came off his bike and had to let the Swede go. Another tumble and subsequent starting problems with the bike caused Brumann to drop out of the points. The finishing order was Venhoda ahead of Palson and Nickel. Constantin Piller came home in fourth position ahead of William Voxen Kleem. “It was hot and competitive out there today, but I am happy because this is my first ADAC MX Masters podium,” said race winner Venhoda with a beaming smile. “My move to Belgium in winter was worth it!”
MX Junior Cup 85: Start-finish victory for Mikula
Czech teenager Julius Mikula left no-one in any doubt right from the start who was going to win this race. After the holeshot, he established a significant lead and recorded a flawless start-finish victory. Behind him, Leon Rudolph, Bradley Mesters and pole-sitter Maximilian Werner scrapped for the remaining podium positions. Mesters and Werner passed Rudolph on the second lap and then proceeded to duel non-stop. In the middle of the race, Werner managed to overtake Mesters, but the Dutch youngster could not be shaken off and relentlessly hunted the German down. Towards the end of the race, Mesters increased the pressure and overtook his opponent again on the last lap. Tomass Saicans finished fourth, ahead of the speedy female rider Lotte Van Drunen.
“After the holeshot I was able to build up a lead right away,” said Mikula afterwards. “I then concentrated on riding my own race, not making any mistakes and on winning. I’m feeling very happy now. It’s so much easier to win a race when you’re not having to fend off any challenges.”
The second and third races will be held on Sunday 20th September at Grevenbroich, with the final races of the ADAC MX Masters Short Season being contested on 3rd and 4th October at Tensfeld.