Max Nagl is the first leader of the standings with his overall victory in the ADAC MX Masters. Adam Sterry gives Schmicker Racing their first race victory in the top class. Local favourite Maximilian Spies thrilled the fans with third place.
The 20th season of the ADAC MX Masters got underway at Fürstlich Drehna in mainly sunny weather and in excellent but demanding racing conditions. In front of 10,200 enthusiastic spectators over the weekend, reigning champion Max Nagl (D/KMP-Honda-Racing powered by Krettek) prevailed against strong national and international competition in the top class with two race wins in the three races. Adam Sterry (GB/Schmicker Racing) won the second race on Sunday afternoon and finished second overall. Local hero Maximilian Spies (D/Kosak Racing Team) rounded off the podium to the delight of the loud crowd.
Max Nagl repeats last year's victory in Fürstlich Drehna
Max Nagl started the weekend with a start-to-finish victory in the first race on Saturday afternoon, ahead of Cornelius Töndel (NO/Schmicker Racing) and Henry Jacobi (D/KTM Sarholz Racing Team). In the second race, Nagl had a poor start and fought his way up from the middle of the field to the rear wheel of fourth-placed Tom Koch (D/Kosak Racing Team), who successfully fended off Nagl's attacks. In the third race, Nagl initially found himself behind Red Bull Holeshot winner Oriol Oliver Vilar (E/WZ-Racing KTM), but then took the lead on the fifth lap and held it against the Spaniard until the finish. With his overall victory, Nagl is also the first leader of the new season.
‘The opening race on Saturday was perfect with a lights-to-flag victory. On Sunday, I made a mistake at the start of the second race and then had to start a chase in which I spent a lot of energy. As a result, the third race was not easy either, despite a good start. I had a difficult pre-season in the winter, so I'm all the happier now that I've realised that my pace is good. I'm pleased with the way the season has started and that I'm on the overall podium with my two training colleagues Adam and Max,’ said Nagl, pleased with the way the season has started.
Adam Sterry gives his new team their first race victory
Adam Sterry got the weekend off to a solid start with a fifth-place finish in Saturday's opening race. In the second race, he gave Schmicker Racing their first victory in the ADAC MX Masters class, which even turned into a one-two success with the second-place finish of Red Bull Holeshot winner Jere Haavisto (FIN/Schmicker Racing). In the third race, the team-mates again crossed the finish line in parallel in fourth and fifth place, which earned the Briton second place in the event classification.
‘I'm very happy with my debut here in Fürstlich Drehna. I felt comfortable on the bike and it was great to be able to race in front of so many fans. At the start of the second race, I realised at the five-second board that I was still in neutral, so I got a bit stressed for a moment. It wasn't intentional, but since I had a good start afterwards and was able to win the race, maybe I should do it more often from now on,’ Sterry laughed at the award ceremony.
Maximilian Spies thrills the fans
With three consistent races, local hero Maximilian Spies thrilled the numerous spectators in Fürstlich Drehna. On Saturday, he started the weekend with a fourth place, despite a less than optimal start and a crash. In the second race, he again fought his way forward after a start in the front midfield. With the vocal support of the fans at the side of the track, he finished in third place. Spies also did not get off to a good start in the final race, but once again showed a high pace and good fitness, which brought him up to third place. With just one point less than Sterry, he rounded off the overall podium.
‘Many thanks to the fans who supported and cheered me on so well all weekend! I'm happy with the start and know what I have to work on. I'm already looking forward to the next event in Dreetz next weekend,’ said Spies, beaming.
Jere Haavisto and Tom Koch rounded off the top five in the overall standings. Henry Jacobi went down in the second race and retired. In the third race, he scored tenth place, marked by a few injuries, which earned him ninth place overall. Jordi Tixier (F/KMP-Honda-Racing powered by Krettek) also drove strongly after a heavy crash in qualifying, after he was in hospital for a check-up during the first race and did not compete at all. After the doctors gave him the all-clear, the Frenchman showed fighting spirit, started on Sunday and finished the weekend in eleventh place.
All races from both days of the event can be viewed as a re-live stream or in individual races free of charge via the ADAC MX Masters playlist on the ADAC Motorsport YouTube channel. All weekend results can be found online at adac.de/mx-masters.