An enraptured crowd witnessed some thrilling racing but little in the way of surprises on Saturday in Fürstlich Drehna. Jordi Tixier took victory to extend his lead in the ADAC MX Masters. Mike Gwerder emerged triumphant in the ADAC MX Youngster Cup. Bradley Mesters claimed his first race win in the ADAC MX Junior Cup 125, and championship leader Viteszlav Marek dominated the ADAC MX Junior Cup 85.
Nathan Renkens (BEL) from the Gripmesser.com Racing Team sprinted to the Red Bull Holeshot in the ADAC MX Masters class on his KTM. However, reigning champion and championship leader Jordi Tixier (FRA) soon knocked him off the top spot. His team-mate Cyril Genot (BEL) and Tom Koch (GER), who had previously secured pole position as LS2 Best Qualifier for the third time in a row, followed Tixier past Renkens in the slipstream of the rider from the KTM Sarholz Racing Team. Meanwhile, Max Nagl (GER) was launching a fightback on Husqvarna of the Krettek-Haas-Racing-Team, having crashed at the start. The leading trio initially all pulled clear of the rest of the field. However, as the race progressed, Tixier was able to shake off the attentions of Genot, who himself managed to distance Koch on the Kosak Racing Team KTM. They crossed the finish line in that order, followed by KMP Honda Racing riders Jérémy Delincé (BEL) and Gert Krestinov (EST), as well as Mike Stender (GER) on the SHR Motorsports Yamaha. Nagl had climbed into ninth place by the time he crossed the finish line.
“I already felt very good on this track this morning. After Dreetz, we changed a few things on the bike, which paid dividends today. That meant I was able to focus solely on myself in this race. I am happy with the win, but am not going to get carried away. A lot can happen tomorrow and in the championship,” said Tixier after his success.
ADAC MX Youngster Cup
In the ADAC MX Youngster Cup, Mike Gwerder (SUI) led from start to finish on the KTM of the WZ Racing Team. However, he first had to fend off the attacks of local favourite and championship leader Maximilian Spies (GER) on the Maddii Racing Fantic Factory bike. When Spies crashed, Gwerder was able to open up a gap of several seconds over Liam Everts (BEL) on the Liamski KTM. By the time he crossed the finish line, however, that lead had been whittled down to under a second. Marcel Stauffer (AUT) from the Sturm STC Racing Team, like Spies on a two-stroke bike, recovered from a disappointing start to work his way into third place, ahead of Spies and Noah Ludwig (GER) on the Becker Racing KTM.
“I am happy with the win. It is my first start at an ADAC MX Masters event this year. I have always liked the track in Fürstlich Drehna. After Spies’ crash, I tried to control the race. I saw Everts getting closer towards the end, but I was not concerned,” said Gwerder.
ADAC MX Junior Cup 125
In the ADAC MX Junior Cup 125, it was Maximilian Werner (GER) on the Kosak Racing Team KTM who took the Red Bull Holeshot. Several riders immediately put him under pressure, but he held his ground superbly. Championship leader Scott Smulders (NEL) did not make an ideal start, but continuously worked his way towards the front of the field. In the final third of the race, Werner came under increasing pressure from reigning ADAC MX Junior Cup 85 champion Bradley Mesters (NED) on a bike run by the F&H Racing Shop MHX Team. Both riders have made the step up to this class this season, and they were taking no prisoners. Only on the final lap of the race did Mesters manage to wrest the lead from Werner. The leading duo were followed home by Smulders, Karlis Reisulis (LAT) and Sem De Lange (NED). After the race, Mesters was surprised by his maiden victory in the ADAC MX Junior Cup 125.
“I made a good start, but then got caught up a bit in the first corner. However, I was able to work my way back to the front quickly. I thought Maximilian was second when I overtook him on the final lap. As I crossed the finish line, I was not aware that I had won my first race in this championship,” said a beaming Mesters.
ADAC MX Junior Cup 85
In the ADAC MX Junior Cup 85, Levi Schrik (NED) of the Motovation Motorsport team grabbed the Red Bull Holeshot on his KTM. However, he had already surrendered the lead to Markuss Ozolins (LAT) of the Kosak Racing Team by the end of the opening lap. Championship leader Viteszlav Marek (CZE) then rode his KTM into the lead on lap four, and proceeded to consistently extend his lead through to the finish. Behind Ozolins, a battle was raging for much of the race between the Sarholz Racing Team’s Noel Zanocz (HUN) on a KTM and Janis Reisulis (LAT) on the Motofavorits KTM. However, Zanocz was always able to withstand his rival’s attacks. When Ozolins crashed on the final lap, the duo passed him to take second and third place. Gyan Doensen (NED) rounded off the top five. Aaron Kowatsch (GER) from ADAC Hessen-Thüringen e.V. was the best-placed German in seventh.
“My start was okay. After a few laps, I was able to overtake Ozolins. I have to thank him, as that was a good battle. When I took the lead, I was able to pull clear and control the race,” said Marek at the finish.
Livestreams
Saturday’s races can be watched live, in full and free of charge at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEZsPZB9r3w. Sunday’s races will be broadcast in a livestream at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W6B4M0CZO7E from 10:10.