Max Nagl ends 14-year wait to be crowned ADAC MX Masters champion again. Jordi Tixier concludes the season with overall victory in Fürstlich Drehna. Adam Sterry ends the race weekend in third place.
The big crowds in Fürstlich Drehna enjoyed a thrilling finale to the season in weather conditions ranging from glorious sunshine to rain. Max Nagl (D/Krettek-Haas-Racing-Team) had already wrapped up his third ADAC MX Masters title by the end of Saturday. Jordi Tixier (F/KTM Sarholz Racing Team) brought the season to a close with two race wins and overall victory in Fürstlich Drehna, putting him second in the championship. Adam Sterry (GB/KTM Sarholz Racing Team) was third in the event standings, while Tom Koch (D/Kosak Racing Team) ended the season in third place in the table.
The opening ADAC MX Masters race on Saturday afternoon saw championship leader Max Nagl sprint to the Red Bull Holeshot, ahead of Adam Sterry (GB), Jordi Tixier (F) and LS2 Best Qualifier Henry Jacobi (D/KTM Sarholz Racing Team). Jacobi crashed on lap one, allowing Tom Koch to climb into the top five behind Stefan Ekerold (D/Team Bauerschmidt MB33). Nagl set about gradually extending his lead, without ever really pulling clear of the rest of the field. There was no change in position in the first two thirds of the race, until Tixier overtook Sterry. Two laps later, Jacobi, who crashed another twice over the course of the race, passed Koch to take fifth place. With four laps remaining, Nagl found himself stuck in traffic as he attempted to lap riders. Tixier took advantage and moved into the lead. Nagl stayed on the Frenchman’s heels until the finish, but without being able to launch a meaningful attack. Second place, behind Tixier and ahead of Sterry, was enough to earn 35-year-old Nagl his third ADAC MX Masters title, 14 years after his last title win in 2008.
In race two on Sunday, Tixier initially took the lead with the Red Bull Holeshot, ahead of Nagl, Sterry, Jacobi and Tim Koch (D/Team AB-Racing by Zweiradsport Schmitz). Jacobi passed Sterry to move into third place on lap one, while Tom Koch overtook his older brother to climb into the top five. On lap six, Nagl took the lead and opened a small advantage over Tixier. Tom Koch closed the gap to Sterry, but was unable to find a way past the British rider. In the final third of the lap, race leader Nagl again had issues with lapped riders, just as he had the previous day. This allowed Tixier to pass him and claim race win number two, ahead of Nagl and Jacobi. Jacobi had crashed during the race, but did not lose any positions as a result. Sterry and Tom Koch rounded out the top five.
In the third race of the weekend, Jorge Zaragoza (E/KMP Honda Racing) was the fastest man out of the gate. However, he was then immediately replaced at the front of the field by Sterry. An injured shoulder prevented Jacobi from starting the race. Zaragoza was passed by Nagl, Tom Koch and Tixier on lap four. Sterry’s lead lasted until the middle of the race, when he was overtaken by Nagl and then, one lap later, Koch and Tixier. Koch set off in pursuit of Nagl, but the newly-crowned champion held his nerve and was not to be denied victory on this occasion. Koch, Tixier, Sterry and Ekerold completed the top five.
Tixier won the event standings, just one point ahead of Nagl. Sterry took the final spot on the podium, followed by Koch and Ekerold. Second place in the championship, behind 2022 ADAC MX Masters champion Nagl, went to Tixier, with Koch, Sterry and Ekerold ending the season in third, fourth and fifth place respectively.
“Mega. It was not an easy weekend, and it has taken a few years, but winning this championship feels all the better for it. I really wanted to end the season with a race win, after focussing on winning the title yesterday. I am particularly pleased to have been crowned champion together with the Krettek-Haas-Racing-Team. Despite my age, I am not done yet and will be back next year,” said a delighted and emotional Max Nagl.
“Taking overall victory here is a special moment for me, as it was my last race for the KTM Sarholz Racing Team, of whom I have become very fond in recent years, and who have supported me excellently. Looking at the season as a whole, Max has been the stronger. However, I am pleased to have claimed some race and overall victories against him. A new Supercross chapter begins for me now,” said a beaming Tixier at the end of the season.
Replays of all the races from both days of the event can be watched as a complete livestream or as individual races, free of charge, via the playlist ADAC MX Masters Fürstlich Drehna.
