Jeffrey Herlings shines with start-finish victory in the ADAC MX Masters. Nico Greutmann clinches victory in the ADAC MX Youngster Cup. Fiona Hoppe comes out on top in the EMX Women qualifying race.
Guest starter and superstar Jeffrey Herlings (NL/Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) lived up to his role as favorite at the ADAC MX Masters in Tensfeld on Saturday and thrilled everyone in attendance with a clear start-finish victory. In the ADAC MX Youngster Cup, Nico Greutmann (CH/Cat Moto Bauerschmidt Husqvarna) prevailed in a thrilling three-way battle. Fiona Hoppe (D/Husqvarna) secured a home win in the EMX Women's qualifying race.
ADAC MX Masters: Jeffrey Herlings dominates
Jeffrey Herlings proved his class as LS2 Best Qualifier at his guest start in the morning. In the first race on Saturday, he overtook the rest of the field after the Red Bull Holeshot to take an unchallenged start-finish victory, while championship leader Max Nagl (KMP-Honda-Racing powered by Krettek) suffered two crashes and finished tenth. Behind Herlings, Tom Koch (D/Kosak Racing Team) crossed the finish line in second place after Jordi Tixier crashed on the last lap and gave up this position. Brent van Doninck (B/JM Honda Racing) proved his strength by starting the race last after a crash at the start and moving up to third place. Maximilian Spies (D/Kosak Racing Team) and Kevin Brumann (CH/Sixty Seven Racing Husqvarna) rounded off the top five.
"I rode my very first ADAC race in Tensfeld in 2006. I had also planned to start here last year, but then I got injured in the run-up to the race. All the better that I was able to start here at short notice and deliver my start for the fans. I hope everyone had fun," said Herlings after his victory.
ADAC MX Youngster Cup: Greutmann prevails in three-way battle
The first race of the ADAC MX Youngster Cup offered the numerous fans an exciting final stage. Bence Pergel (HU/HTS KTM) took the lead with the Red Bull Holeshot ahead of championship leader Dave Kooiker (NL/Schmicker Racing). Nico Greutmann rode strongly forward from tenth place after the first lap and pushed Maximilian Werner (D/JM Honda Racing) out of third place in the middle of the race. The Swiss rider steadily reduced the gap to the leader in the second half of the race, so that the top three were close together in the final three laps. Shortly before the finish, Greutmann first passed Kooiker and then Pergel at the same point one lap later to take the win. Pergel fended off Kooiker's attacks right to the finish and finished second ahead of the Dutchman.
"After my start, I knew it was going to be a difficult race. Despite temporary problems with a brake that had become too hot, I made good progress and managed my strength. When I managed to catch up with the front runners, I analyzed my opponents and quickly noticed where I could overtake them, which I was able to do," said a beaming Greutmann at the finish.
EMX Women: Fiona Hoppe shines with start-finish victory
The EMX Women held their final event as part of the ADAC MX Masters at Tensfeld. The women only contested one qualifying race on Saturday, which decided the starting grid for the two races on Sunday. Fiona Hoppe secured a home win in qualifying with a start-finish victory. She prevailed against Tyra Bäckström (S/Gasgas) and Elena Kapsamer (A/Gasgas) and will start tomorrow's two races from pole position.
"I didn't expect that, even though I thought a podium finish was realistic. But tomorrow is when it really counts and I hope that I can offer the fans just as good a race," said a delighted Hoppe at the winner's interview.
The Re-Live of the first race day can be found on the ADAC Motorsport YouTube channel. The Livestream with all of Sunday's races will start at 10.30 am. The digital program booklet, timetables and starter lists are available for download at Tensfeld (no ADAC MX Junior Cup 85 & 125).
