This season’s ADAC MX Masters kicked off in perfect conditions in Bielstein. Roughly 170 riders lined up in qualifying for the ADAC MX Masters, ADAC MX Youngster Cup and ADAC MX Junior Cup 85 classes at the idyllic Waldkurs track. The first three races in the three classes each featured start-finish victories for Max Nagl, Noah Ludwig and Noel Zanocz.
ADAC MX Masters
Max Nagl produced a flawless display on the opening race day of the season, as he celebrated a victorious return to the ADAC MX Masters: he secured pole position in qualifying, got the Red Bull Holeshot in the first race of the year, and led from start to finish on his Husqvarna to take the win for the Krettek Haas Racing team. However, the experienced rider was pushed all the way, as reigning champion Jordi Tixier put the German under severe pressure right through to the finish.
“I am really happy. My start was superb, and that was half the battle won. However, Jordi was behind me from the start and put me under pressure for the whole race. It was very tiring, as I had to push all the time. However, it was also great fun and I am sure it was a great race for the many spectators at the track,” said a beaming Nagl.
After a mediocre start, Tom Koch soon climbed into third position, where he then had a lonely race. Dennis Ullrich, making his ADAC MX Masters comeback, managed to pass last year’s runner-up Karlis Sabulis at the end of the race to take fourth place.
ADAC MX Youngster Cup
In the first race of the ADAC MX Youngster Cup, it was Noah Ludwig who made the fastest start and won the Red Bull Holeshot. However, the young German from the Becker Racing team lost the lead to Frenchman Maxime Grau shortly before the end of lap two. Defending champion Maximilian Spies was forced to work his way through the field after a poor start. Liam Everts was running fourth when his front wheel skidded and he hit the deck on lap four. Shortly afterwards, Ludwig regained the lead and proceeded to pull clear of the chasing pack. Austrian Marcel Stauffer produced an impressive ride, cutting through the field from eighth place after the opening lap. Grau moved into second place at the halfway point of the race and set off in pursuit of Ludwig. However, the leader showed no nerves and was able to defend his lead through to the finish. Liam Everts battled his way onto the podium on the final lap, ahead of Grau and Latvia’s Mairis Pumpurs.
“After some good training in the winter, I wanted to win today. I found a good rhythm after the holeshot. When I lost the lead, I just tried to regain my composure. That worked well and I went on to take the win,” said Ludwig after his first victory in the ADAC MX Youngster Cup.
ADAC MX Junior Cup 85
Noel Zanocz made a perfect start to the season in the ADAC MX Junior Cup 85. The Hungarian from the KTM Sarholz team led from start to finish. The race was not as easy as it may sound though, as he was unable to shake off Vitezslav Marek and Janis Martins Reisulis for the whole race. However, neither rider was able to pull off a successful overtake on the leader. Marek did pile on the pressure again in the closing stages, but ultimately had to settle for second place ahead of Reisulis.
“I was a bit nervous before the start,” Zanocz admitted after the race. “However, when I won the Red Bull Holeshot I was happy and knew that I could win the race if I just avoided making any mistakes.”
Linus Jung ended his debut in the ADAC MX Junior Cup 85 as the best-placed German in ninth place.
Saturday’s races can be watched free of charge and in full at https://youtu.be/HBCvJbNfyV4. Sunday’s races will be broadcast via livestream from 10:00 at https://youtu.be/insk9TUATrw.