Victory in the ADAC MX Junior Cup 125 is the first international title for Ernecker. Moving up to the next class and changing teams for 2025. No rivalry with brother Moritz.

Maxmilian Ernecker experienced how quickly things can change in racing in 2024. The young Austrian won all the events in the first half of the ADAC MX Junior Cup 125 season, taking victory in all the races apart from one second place in Vellahn. But after this dominance, a double retirement due to technical problems in Gaildorf was a major setback. But Ernecker retained the Red Pate of the championship leader and became the 2024 ADAC MX Junior Cup 125 champion. In the interview, Ernecker looks back on the past year and reveals what lies ahead for him in 2025, when he will move up a class, in a new team and on a new motorbike.

Congratulations on winning the ADAC MX Junior Cup 125. How happy are you to have won the championship "Thank you very much, I'm very happy about this overall victory and it's a very big step for my career. It's my first major international title, and before that I was already a two-time Austrian 85cc youth champion."

What made you so strong in 2024, did you change anything compared to previous years? "I started intensive sand training as early as the beginning of November during the pre-season preparation and also did very intensive fitness training. That was earlier and more intense than in previous years."

What role did the racing team play in this? "The racing team played a very important role and without the support of the KTM Group, I would not be where I am now."

How long have you been riding motocross and how did you get into it? "I have been riding motocross for 14 years and started at the age of three. I got into it through my father Franz, who was a rider himself."

What was your personal highlight of the ADAC season 2024? "That was definitely Dreetz - because Dreetz is one of my favourite tracks and because I still had such positive memories of Dreetz from 2023."

And which race was a disappointment? "The double retirement in Gaildorf."

What went through your mind in Gaildorf after the two zeros there and how do you deal with that? "It was a really difficult weekend for me and I was very disappointed, but defeat is also part of the learning process of a professional athlete."

With Vellahn, there was a new track on the ADAC calendar. In 2025, it will go to France for the first time in Bitche. Do you welcome the new tracks? "I always welcome new tracks because you learn a lot. I'm really looking forward to Bitche because I already know the track from winter training with Didi Lacher."

Which rider in your class surprised you the most in the 2024 season? "I was most surprised by Aron Katona, because he was already so successful in his first year in the 125 class."

You are very tall, which also means a lot of body weight compared to the competition. How big is the disadvantage in the 125 class? "Especially at the start, my height and weight are of course not an advantage in the 125."

What are your plans for 2025? What team and in which series will you be competing? "I've switched to the 250F bike and will be competing with the WZ-Racing Team in the EMX 250 and the ADAC Youngster Cup in 2025."

You're not the only one to be successful – your younger brother Moritz also competed in the ADAC Junior Cup 85. Does it give you an extra boost to have a fast brother? "It's a great incentive, especially as we always give each other lots of valuable tips. We don't compete against each other either, we support each other."

Is there anything else you would like to say at the end of the interview? "I would like to thank all our fans and supporters and I'm looking forward to the coming season."