More than 370 applications for a start place in the 2023 ADAC MX Masters. Riders from 24 countries have registered. Eight motorcycle manufacturers are represented.
With roughly eight weeks remaining until the opening round of this season’s ADAC MX Masters on 1st/2nd April in Fürstlich Drehna, the riders registered for the four classes – ADAC MX Masters, ADAC MX Youngster Cup, ADAC MX Junior Cup 125 and ADAC MX Junior Cup 85 – are confirmed. More than 370 applications have been received for season 19. 24 different nationalities will roll up to the start gate in the eight rounds from April to September. The ADAC MX Youngster Cup has the most competitors, with 104 riders set to do battle. Eight motorcycle manufacturers are represented in the ADAC MX Masters: European brands KTM, Husqvarna, GasGas and Fantic, as well as the Japanese manufacturers Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki and Yamaha.
ADAC MX Masters: Battle of the champions
The season in the top tier, the ADAC MX Masters, looks set to deliver many magnificent battles. In Max Nagl (D), Jordi Tixier (F), both of whom have switched to the KMP Honda Racing powered by Krettek team, and the returning Henry Jacobi (D/KTM Sarholz Racing Team), three riders who have won four of the past five titles will line up this year. Tom Koch (D/Kosak Racing Team) has finished in the top three in each of the past three seasons and is hungry to prove that he has what it takes to claim overall victories and the title. Adam Sterry (GB/ KTM Sarholz Racing Team), now in his third season in the ADAC MX Masters, has his sights set on finally achieving the race wins and top-three finishes he has been hoping for. Stefan Ekerold (D/Team Bauerschmidt MB33) underlined last summer that he is not only good enough for the podium, but also has the pace to win races.
As well as these top riders, an impressive international armada will also be striving to challenge at the front of the field. After his spontaneous but very successful guest start in Dreetz in 2000, beach racing specialist Lars Van Berkel (NL/KMP Honda Racing powered by Krettek) will now contest the full ADAC MX Masters. Michael Sandner (A/HTS KTM Team) showed good speed last season and was regularly in contention for a podium place. Boris Maillard (F/stielergruppe.mx Johannes-Bikes Suzuki), who has been a permanent fixture in the championship for years, is enjoying a resurgence and will be looking to back up last year’s top-five results. The field of 99 riders also includes Gert Krestinov (EST/Motoextreme Honda), the experienced Tanel Leok (EST/MX-Handel Racing), Davy Pootjes (NL) and many other strong international riders.
As well as the aforementioned riders, local eyes will also be on impressive Germans like Tim Koch (D/VisuAlz Production), Lukas Platt (D/ KTM Sarholz Racing Team), who both moved teams in the winter, Mark Scheu (D/Sixty Seven), Elias Stapel (D/GasGas Hegau Racing Team), Nico Koch (D/Becker Racing), Paul Haberland (D/Sixty Seven), Gianluca Ecca (D/RSE Kawasaki), and the two men to make the step up to the top tier this season: Maximilian Spies (D/Kosak Racing Team) and Noah Ludwig (D/Becker Racing).
ADAC MX Youngster Cup
The ADAC MX Youngster Cup boasts the biggest field, with 104 riders registered. With several of the top riders from the 2022 season having stepped up to the next class, the cards have been reshuffled. Of the more established riders, Cato Nickel (D/WZ-Racing) and Mike Gwerder (CH/WZ-Racing) will be among the favourites to do well. However, Paul Bloy (D/Kosak Racing Team), Edvards Bidzans (LVA/Sixty Seven), Valentin Kees (D/Kosak Racing Team), Marnique Appelt (D/Becker Racing), Peter König (D/KTM Sarholz Racing Team) and Nico Greutmann (CH/KTM SB Racing) have also shown their class already. They will face stiff opposition from a number of strong riders making the step up to the Youngster Cup, including the likes of Karlis Alberts Reisulis (LVA/Hutten Metaal Racing), Roberts Lusis (LVA/Sturm STC Racing), Bence Pergel (HUN/HTS KTM Team), who claimed a race win at a guest start last year, the German 125cc champion Eric Rakow (D/Team Bauerschmidt MB33), Scott Smulders (NL/KMP Honda Racing powered by Krettek) and Dave Kooiker (NL/WZ-Racing).
ADAC MX Junior Cup 125
The step between the 85cc and 250cc four-stroke bikes features great strength in depth at the front of the field, with many riders in the mix for race wins and top results. However, the ambitious and talented youngsters will have a hard nut to crack, as reigning champion Janis Martins Reisulis (LVA/Hamstra MX Team) is hungry to be the first man to successfully defend his title in this class. He will face familiar opposition from Julius Mikula (CZE/MJC Yamaha Official EMX 125 Team) and Vitezslav Marek (CZE/Cermen KTM Racing Team), who ended last season in third and fourth place in the class. Maximilian Werner (D/Fantic Factory Team Maddii) and Maximilian Ernecker (A) are another two top riders with their sights set on toppling the defending champion. Meanwhile, a swarm of strong riders have made the step up from the ADAC MX Junior Cup 85, spearheaded by reigning champion Jayson Van Drunen (NL/SHR Motorsports), world junior champion Gyan Doensen (NL/WZ-Racing), Jonathan Frank (D/Schmicker Racing), Maxime Lucas (B), Mick Kennedy (NL/Hannamax Motorsports) and Marius Adomaitis (LT/KMP Honda Racing powered by Krettek).
ADAC MX Junior Cup 85
Last season’s high demand has led to a change in regulations in the youngest class in the ADAC MX Masters, offering more talented youngsters the opportunity to qualify for the classified races at each event. Coming into the season, the biggest favourites for the title are Áron Katona (HUN) and Dani Heitink (NL/DH-MX), who were both in contention for race wins last year. Emil Ziemer (D/Motobike Racing Team) has also proven that he has what it takes to win and, with a little more consistency, could be among the front-runners. Dex Kooiker (NL/Stichting Motorsport Talent), Lucas Leok (EST), Dean Gregoire (NL/Voss KTM Racing), Ricardo Bauer (AUT/MSC Imbach) and many other talented youngsters will be looking to establish themselves as top riders in this class, and to gain valuable experience on their way to the top.
