Jeffrey Herlings wins the first race of the ADAC MX Masters. Markuss Kokins celebrates his first race victory in the ADAC MX Youngster Cup. Lucas Leok is in a class of his own in the ADAC MX Junior Cup 85.
In warm summer temperatures, fans enjoyed an exciting and varied start to the 150th ADAC MX Masters event. Jeffrey Herlings (NL/Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) prevailed in the ADAC MX Masters class. Markuss Kokins (LVA/Kosak Racing Team) defended his lead in the ADAC MX Youngster Cup right through to the finish. Lucas Leok (EST/KTM MX Futures) scored a commanding victory in the ADAC MX Junior Cup 85. Ricardo Bauer (A/MSC Imbach MX Racing Team) will start from pole position in the ADAC MX Junior Cup 125 on Sunday.
ADAC MX Masters: Jeffrey Herlings wins by a clear margin
Mike Gwerder (CH/HTS KTM) took the lead with the Red Bull Holeshot ahead of Maximilian Spies (D/Becker Racing), Herlings and Roan Van de Moosdijk (NL/Kosak Racing Team), while championship leader Max Nagl (D/Dörr Motorsport Triumph Racing powered by Krettek) was involved in a crash at the start. Nagl had to repair a bent gear lever before rejoining the race in last place. Gwerder was overtaken by Spies, Herlings and Van de Moosdijk during the first lap. Spies then held the lead for five laps before Herlings overtook him and pulled away to finish several seconds ahead. Van de Moosdijk rode a lonely race behind the leading duo and finished third ahead of Marcel Stauffer (A/Osicka MX Team) and Jörgen-Matthias Talviku (EST/Triumph Aqva Racing). Nagl fought his way back up to 14th place, which means he remains at the top of the championship standings.
‘I drifted a little too far in the first corner, which allowed Max Spies to slip through on the inside. I studied his lines for a while and tried to tire him out a bit. After a few laps, I was able to take the lead. It was very demanding today with temperatures above 30 degrees and the track very worn out. I'm happy with the win and looking forward to the two races tomorrow,’ explained Herlings.
ADAC MX Youngster Cup: Markuss Kokins surprises
In the ADAC MX Youngster Cup, Jan Krug (D/SixtySeven Racing Husqvarna) initially took the lead with the Red Bull Holeshot. Krug put in a strong performance on his return to racing, leading for two laps and staying in the top five for the first half of the race. Kokins took the lead on the third lap and pulled out a gap of several seconds. Maxime Grau (F/WZ-Racing KTM) moved into second place on the fifth lap and closed the gap to Kokins in the final stages. But Kokins parried Grau's attacks and celebrated his first race win in the ADAC MX Youngster Cup. Mads Fredsoe (DK/Cat Moto Bauerschmidt Husqvarna) crashed at the start of the race while in third place, but quickly regained his position and held it until the finish. Championship leader Quentin Prugnieres (F/WZ-Racing KTM) finished fourth after a mediocre start, ahead of Nicolai Skovbjerg (DK/Wozniak MX Racing Team).
‘I worked hard for this success, as did my father, who gives everything for my career. I felt good throughout the race, even though I had to work hard at the end to fend off Maxime's attacks,’ said Kokins, beaming.
ADAC MX Junior Cup 125: Ricardo Bauer on pole position
Saturday's ADAC MX Junior Cup 125 was all about qualifying and securing grid positions for Sunday's two races. Ricardo Bauer clocked the fastest lap in qualifying and will therefore start from pole position tomorrow, followed by Dean Gregoire (NL/Schmicker Racing) and Mike Visser (NL/Team Ties Pol Motors-GasGas).
ADAC MX Junior Cup 85: Lucas Leok puts in a commanding performance
Luca Nierychlo (D/KTM MX Futures) sprinted to the front with the Red Bull Holeshot, but was immediately overtaken by Lucas Leok in the second corner. Co-favourite Harry Dale (GB/KTM MX Futures) crashed in the starting chaos and had to resume the race from the back of the field. Leok rode a controlled and unchallenged race, winning by over 50 seconds. Marten Raud (EST/MX-Handel Husqvarna Racing) and Patriks Cirulis (LAT/Schmicker Racing) moved into the chasing positions early on and held them until the finish. Dale fought his way back to fourth place just a few metres before the end of the race ahead of Kenzo Jaspers (NL/Huttenmetall AK Bouw Racing Junior Team).
‘I went a little too wide at the start, but I quickly passed Luca and then it was a good race. I concentrated on my lines and tried to avoid mistakes. That worked well,’ said Leok.
The replay of the first day of racing is available on the ADAC Motorsport YouTube channel. The live stream of all Sunday's races will begin at 9.50 a.m. and can be followed at adac.de/mx-masters.
