Cato Nickel claims overall win in the ADAC MX Youngster Cup for the first time. Double victory for Janis Martins Reisulis in the ADAC MX Junior Cup 125. Jarne Bervoets dominant in the ADAC MX Junior Cup 85.
The youth classes at the ADAC MX Masters season-opener in Fürstlich Drehna provided some thrilling racing for the 10,500 spectators at the weekend. Cato Nickel (D/WZ-Racing) secured overall victory for the first time after three races in the ADAC MX Youngster Cup. Janis Martins Reisulis (LAT/Hamstra MX Team) started his title defence with a pair of wins in the ADAC MX Junior Cup 125. Jarne Bervoets (B/Bervoets Racing Team) won both races in the ADAC MX Junior Cup 85.
ADAC MX Youngster Cup: firsts for Nickel and König
Cato Nickel proved to be the most consistent rider at the season-opener in the ADAC MX Youngster Cup. He was the only rider to reach the podium in all three races over the weekend and claimed his first overall victory. On Saturday, he took a tumble after an indifferent start but battled back to second place behind Oriol Oliver (ES/WZ-Racing), the winner of the opening race. In the second race, he got the Sunday going with the first race win of his career in this class, grabbing the lead from Rasmus Pedersen (DK/Filten Racing) just before the finish. In race three, Nickel mounted attacks on leader Mike Gwerder (CH/WZ-Racing) over the whole distance but had to be content with second place. Gwerder improved as the weekend progressed, following up ninth position on Saturday and third place in the second race with his race win, results that put him in second spot overall. Peter König (D/KTM Sarholz Racing Team) rounded off the overall podium with third place in the final race, having secured fifth and tenth positions in the previous events. Oliver had followed up his win on Saturday with fourth place in the second race, only to retire from race three and König was able to benefit from his misfortune. Consistent results from Nico Greutmann (CH/KTM SB Racing) saw him follow Oliver in fifth place overall. Marnique Appelt (D/Becker Racing) underlined his potential with third place in the first race, and Jan Krug (D/Sixty Seven) raised his profile by finishing fourth and sixth, but was forced to retire from race two.
“You had to give it your all here, that was really exhausting. I was able to record my first race win today thanks to improved starts, and not falling. The third race was very difficult. I had to be content with second place behind Mike after a couple of critical situations in the final third. I am delighted to be topping the table after my first overall win in the ADAC MX Youngster Cup,” said a beaming Nickel at the podium ceremony.
ADAC MX Junior Cup 125: Reisulis still the strongest
In the ADAC MX Junior Cup 125, reigning champion Janis Martins Reisulis showed that he is aiming to defend his title. The 14-year-old produced a commanding performance to win the two races after moving swiftly into the lead on both occasions. However, he should not expect an easy ride this season as he is facing strong, motivated competition. Kasimir Hindersson (FIN/Motovation Motorsport) also reached the podium in both races after finishing second and third, results that saw him claim second place overall ahead of Gyan Doensen (NL/WZ-Racing), a new entrant to the class. Doensen was nearly able to keep pace with Reisulis in the opening race and finished fourth in race two. Maximilian Werner (D/Fantic Factory Team Maddii) led the race during the opening third, finishing in third position. He finished fourth overall after claiming ninth place in the first race, level on points with Mads Fredsoe (DK/STC Sturm racing), who had crossed the line in fourth and seventh.
“It is superb to make a good start to the season, that really boosts my confidence. I didn’t make a good start to race two and I had to battle for the win. It was not easy. I enjoyed the circuit and I had some good memories from here before the race. I would like to defend my title this year,” revealed a bullish Reisulis during the interview.
ADAC MX Junior Cup 85: brilliant Bervoets
Jarne Bervoets, son of former top world championship rider Marnique Bervoets, claimed victory in both races to secure maximum points and now tops the table in the ADAC MX Junior Cup 85. He benefited from two very good starts, including a Red Bull Holeshot, while Áron Katona (HU/HTS KTM) had to battle his way through the field each time after recording the fastest time in practice. Second place in race one saw Katona bolster his title hopes but the second race proved more challenging as he recovered from a fall that placed him at the back of the pack. Katona finished his chase in 18th place, which was enough for him to claim fourth place overall behind Dean Gregoire (NL/Voss KTM Racing) and Travis Leok (EST/MX-HANDEL Racing). Gregoire produced two consistent races, finishing third and fourth, having had to work his way up from midfield in race two. Leok followed up seventh position in the first race by claiming second spot ahead of Dani Heitink (NL/DH-MX), who had retired from race one.
“After the starts, I quickly moved into the lead or was in front right away and I just concentrated on myself. Those were two good races,” concluded Bervoets.
In the team standings for all classes, KTM Sarholz Racing Team is just ahead of KMP Honda Racing powered by Krettek and the Kosak Racing Team after the first event.
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.
