Nagl wins all three races in Fürstlich Drehna. Tom Koch and Adam Sterry complete the overall podium. Local hero and class rookie Maximilian Spies in fourth place.
Max Nagl (D/KMP Honda Racing powered by Krettek) dominates the season-opener in the ADAC MX Masters with three start-finish wins in Fürstlich Drehna at the weekend, watched by 10,500 fans. Behind the defending champion, Tom Koch (D/Kosak Racing Team) and Adam Sterry (GB/KTM Sarholz Racing Team) also reached the overall podium. Local hero Maximilian Spies (D/Kosak Racing Team) finished fourth to mark a successful debut in the top class of the series.
Having switched to a new brand of motorbike and a new race team for this season, Max Nagl was as quick as ever out of the starting gate for the opening race on Saturday afternoon. The Red Bull Holeshot saw him lay the foundations for the first race win of the year. On his return to the series, Henry Jacobi (D/KTM Sarholz Racing Team) was able to follow Nagl over the race distance, without getting close enough to mount an attack. Tom Koch quickly moved clear of the field behind the front two, crossing the line in an unchallenged third place. Mark Scheu (D/Sixty Seven) produced a strong racing performance and was in fourth position until the halfway point, only to be pushed out of the top five by Michael Sandner (A/HTS KTM) and Maximilian Spies, the rider supported by the ADAC Stiftung Sport. Two-time ADAC MX Masters champion Jordi Tixier (F/KMP Honda Racing powered by Krettek) was forced to retire from the race due to a broken rear wheel.
In Sunday’s second race, Nagl continued where he had left off on Saturday. He again won the Red Bull Holeshot, moving into the lead ahead of Sterry, Jakub Teresak (CZ/Enduro Koch Racing), Tixier and Koch. Jacobi and Spies were pinched out at the start, returning to the race way down the field. Nagl quickly raced into a lead over Sterry, while Koch worked his way up to third place on lap five. Once again, Nagl controlled his lead to the finishing line. Meanwhile, Koch applied pressure to Sterry over the race distance but was unable to pass the British rider. Jacobi battled his way up to fourth place, crossing the line ahead of Tixier.
Nagl also moved into the lead from the start of the third race, gradually building up a lead as he progressed towards his third start-finish win of the weekend. The scramble at the start once again forced Jacobi to slot in towards the back of the field. Nico Koch (D/Becker Racing) was initially following Nagl, ahead of class newcomer Noah Ludwig (D/Becker Racing). However, on lap six Tom Koch moved up from eighth to second position to continue the hunt for Nagl. He was able to close the gap for a time, only for Nagl to counter by upping the pace. Nico Koch retained his hold on third place until five laps from the finish but was then overtaken by Tixier and Sterry. Ludwig also passed him one lap later to round off the top five for the race. Jacobi took a tumble and was unable to complete the race.
Nagl claimed maximum points in the event standings, ahead of Tom Koch, Sterry, Spies and Jacobi, as reflected in the table.
“The weekend went better than expected, as my aim had been to reach the podium on a new bike and in a new team. It comes as a surprise to be leaving Fürstlich Drehna with three start-finish wins under my belt. My three Holeshots were the foundation for this success. Nonetheless, it was no easy task as the competition is strong. I had to push in every race and I wasn’t able to race into a big lead,” revealed a beaming Nagl after his win.
“The season could hardly have kicked off better, with three podiums in the races. I just have to work on improving my starts, as Max was ahead immediately in every race and he was away. However, I am very pleased with my racing. The atmosphere was superb, with so many fans, and I really enjoyed racing in front of such a brilliant crowd,” said Tom Koch, visibly satisfied with how the season has started.
Consistent results from Adam Sterry saw him finish third overall © Photo: ADAC
“My aim was to start the season with a solid overall podium. That worked out and I am satisfied,” concluded Sterry as he looked back at the weekend.
All the races from both event days can be viewed free of charge as a re-livestream or as individual races, using the ADAC MX Masters playlist on the ADAC Motorsport YouTube channel.
