The signs are that it is full-speed ahead for the start of the 2021 season of the ADAC MX Masters, which gets underway on 3rd and 4th July in Bielstein. At least five events, fans back at the track for the season-opener, and a packed field: the ADAC MX Masters is ready for the new season. But who are this year’s big favourites?

The ADAC MX Masters is one of the most prestigious international motocross championships in Europe, and the title race promises to be another thriller in 2021. The field in the top ADAC MX Masters class includes many potential favourites for the title, particularly reigning champion Jordi Tixier from the KTM Sarholz Racing Team. The former MX2 world champion showed last year that he is also very quick on sand and is determined to defend his title. However, the Frenchman faces stiff competition.

Three German riders are fancied to do well in the championship. Record ADAC MX Masters champion Dennis Ullrich is back in action, after an injury forced him to miss the “Short Season 2020”. “Ulle” is looking to add to his five titles on the Bodo Schmidt Motorsport Husqvarna. The injury is a thing of the past and he lines up fully motivated after a full year off racing in 2020.

The best-placed German in 2020, Tom Koch, has switched to the Kosak Racing Team and is determined to put aside his difficulties from last season and show his full potential in 2021. To achieve this, he has worked hard with his trainers over the winter.

In Max Nagl, an old acquaintance returns to the series on a Husqvarna run by the Krettek Haas Racing Team. After many years focussing on the Motocross World Championship, he is now looking forward to being able to fit a full season of the ADAC MX Masters into his schedule. Nagl is a strong rider on sand and, with his experience, there is every chance that he may have added another ADAC MX Masters title to his collection come the end of the season.

Foreign stars are also among those striving to win the title. The 2020 runner-up, Karlis Sabulis, is looking to go one better than his impressive performance last year. The Latvian lines up for the MX MODUL Team on a Husqvarna in 2021. There is also good reason to be excited about the newcomers to the series, Cyril Genot from Belgium and Bulgaria’s Petar Petrov. As a team-mate of Tixier, Genot will be attempting to make his life difficult on the track. The Belgian boasts impressive speed and has impressed with some top results in the MX2 World Championship. His goal is now to replicate both these on the 450 cc bike. Petrov is the new boy in the KMP Honda Racing Team. The Bulgarian will be calling on his experience in the MX World Championship in the title race.

The field also includes more international riders, including Jérémy Delincé, Gert Krestinov, and Nathan Renkens, as well as the shock German independent rider from last year, Lukas Platt. He is joined by fellow German riders Mike Stender, Tim Koch, Stefan Ekerold and Paul Haberland. More top riders from the MX World Championship have also expressed their interest in making guest appearances.

In the ADAC MX Youngster Cup, reigning champion Maximilian Spies is back to defend his title. However, circumstances have changed dramatically for the ADAC Stiftung Sport rider: he now lines up on a 250 cc, two-stroke Fantik bike. “I want to show that I am also strong enough to win the title in a long racing season,” says Spies confidently. A strong contingent of foreign riders has its sights set on the same goal. They include Belgian Liam Everts, Sweden’s Teddy Jondell, and reigning ADAC MX Junior Cup 125 champion Martin Venhoda. From a German perspective, besides Spies Noah Ludwig, Marnique Appelt and Paul Bloy are the best prospects for home success.

Many talented youngsters use the ADAC MX Junior Cup 125 as a step between the ADAC MX Junior Cup 85 and the ADAC MX Youngster Cup. As such, this class features many young riders each year who are on their way to the top. German rider Cato Nickel is a good shout for some top results, as are ADAC Junior Cup 85 champion, Bradley Mesters, and last year’s runner-up Maximilian Werner, who have both stepped up to class three.

Latvia’s Markuss Ozolins is the favourite in the ADAC MX Junior Cup 85, from which last year’s top riders have moved onwards and upwards. Podiums are also expected for rapid female rider Lotte Van Drunen.

Fans can watch the action from the opening round of the season, on 3rd/4th July in Bielstein, both at the circuit and in a free livestream. The first of the weekend’s nine races will be held on Saturday afternoon. The remaining races start on Sunday. A limited number of tickets for the season-opener in Bielstein can be purchased in advance online at mxmasters.ticket.io. Tickets cannot be purchased on the gate. The livestreams from both days of the event are available on the ADAC MX Masters homepage and on YouTube.

Due to changes to the calendar in the Motocross World Championship and European Championship, the race in Dreetz has been postponed one week to 14th/15th August. This is to avoid a clash of schedules and ensure a fair and genuine championship.