Roughly 350 applications for starting places. Most diverse range of manufacturers ever. International field, with competitors from over 25 nations.
The new ADAC MX Masters season will feature a strong field in the four classes. The starters for the classes – ADAC MX Masters, ADAC MX Youngster Cup, ADAC MX Junior Cup 125 and ADAC MX Junior Cup 85 – have been selected from just short of 350 applicants. Competitors from over 25 nations will battle it out for the title across seven events, which take place from April to September. With 13 different motorcycle manufacturers represented, the series with the title “International German Motocross Championship” will be more diverse than ever before.
ADAC MX Masters: Experience meets youth, old stagers take on returnees
With 70 riders confirmed for the 2026 season, the top class promises to produce some thrilling races and exciting battles. Almost all of last year’s top ten will be back for another crack this season. They will be joined by a number of high-calibre opponents, either making their debuts in the championship or returning for another full season. Reigning champion Roan Van de Moosdijk (NL/KTM Kosak Racing Team), last year’s runner-up Max Nagl (D/Dörr Motorsport Triumph Racing powered by Krettek) and third-placed Maximilian Spies (D/Becker Racing) are back with the same teams and bikes. Jordi Tixier (F/KMP-Honda-Racing powered by DVAG) and Noah Ludwig (D/KTM Sarholz Racing Team) have also remained in familiar environments, with tried-and-tested material, and are among the favourites to win races and perhaps the title. Jörgen-Matthias Talviku (EST/SHR Motorsports by Hartje) was one of last year’s surprise packages. He has switched teams, but remains on a Yamaha and could well play a big role in the title race. Tom Koch (D/KTM Sarholz Racing Team) returns to the ADAC MX Masters on a KTM after a year in the MXGP World Championship. He is also likely to be among the title contenders. Fans can look forward to seeing Hakon Fredriksen (NO), who won two of three races on his guest appearance in Tensfeld in 2025. He plans to contest the full season in 2026, and has the potential to spring more surprises. Jere Haavisto (FIN), Jakub Teresak (CZ/Visualz Production) and Nico Koch (D/Becker Racing) are another two top riders returning to the series. Harri Kullas (EST/Schmicker Silve Racing) can also call on his wealth of international experience in Motocross and Supercross, as he goes in pursuit of good results.
As well as the international starters, German-speaking riders like Kevin Brumann (CH/MX-Handel Husqvarna Racing), Mike Gwerder (CH/HTS Racing), Peter König (D/KTM GST Berlin Racing), Paul Haberland (D/MX-Academy Honda Racing by Meuwissen Motorsports), Cato Nickel (D/KMP-Honda-Racing powered by DVAG), Mark Scheu (D/Johannes Bikes Suzuki), Toni Hoffmann (D/BVZ Racing), Max Thunecke (D/Johannes Bikes Suzuki), Nico Greutmann (CH/MX-Academy Honda Racing by Meuwissen Motorsports), who is stepping up from the ADAC MX Youngster Cup, will also have their sights set on top results. Guest starts from top international riders from the MXGP World Championship are also expected.
ADAC MX Youngster Cup: Fredsoe out to defend his title
Reigning champion Mads Fredsoe (DK/Cat Moto Bauerschmidt Husqvarna) is hungry to defend his title this season, but will face stiff international and national opposition from the 100 or so riders eligible to start in the class. His team-mate Liam Owens (AU/ Cat Moto Bauerschmidt Husqvarna), Lyonel Reichl (LIE/KTM Sarholz Racing Team), Valentin Kees (D/Kosak Racing Team), Nikolaj Skovbjerg (DK/MX-Handel Husqvarna Racing), Scott Smulders (NL/SixtySeven Racing Husqvarna), Linus Persson (S/RGS Racing) and Maximilian Ernecker (A/SixtySeven Racing Team) will be out to stop him. With riders like Jaroslav Katrinak (CZ/Motoprox MRA Racing Team), Jan Krug (D/Dörr Motorsport Triumph Racing powered by Krettek), Maximilian Werner (D/Dörr Motorsport Triumph Racing powered by Krettek), Linus Jung (D/KTM Sarholz Racing Team), and the promoted Ian Ampoorter (B/Becker Racing), reigning champion in the ADAC MX Junior Cup 125, and Oskar Romberg (D/Meyer Racing), plenty of other rapid riders will also be focussed on good results when they take their place at the starting gate.
ADAC MX Junior Cup 125: Who will follow in Ampoorter’s footsteps?
Over 80 riders have applied for starting places in the ADAC MX Junior Cup 125. With many top riders having stepped up to the ADAC MX Youngster Cup, the favourites in this class, which forms the bridge between the 85cc category and the 250cc four-stroke bikes, include Finn Lange (D/KTM GST Berlin Racing/ADAC Hansa MX Junior Team), Max Meyer (D/Meyer Racing), Dawid Zaremba (PL/SHR Motorsports by Hartje) and promoted racers Lucas Leok (EST/KTM MX Futures), Jarno Jansen (CH/ADAC Südbaden e.V.) and Marten Raud (EST/MX-Handel Husqvarna Racing). From a German perspective, it will be interesting to watch the progress of class newcomers Neo Nindelt (D/TYK Team Yamaha Knobloch sponsored by A.T.E.C.), John Kranhold (D/SixtySeven Racing Team Husqvarna) and Simon Hahn (D/Kosak Racing Team).
ADAC MX Junior Cup 85
Roughly 80 applications have also been received for the youngest class in the ADAC MX Masters. The top three from last season have switched class, leaving Harry Dale (GB/KTM MX Futures) and Luca Nierychlo (D/KTM MX Futures) among the big favourites to win the title. Robin Robert Mooses (EST/MX-Handel Husqvarna Racing) and Gregor Lootus (EST) will also be among the front-runners. In Jaggar Townley (NZ/Yamaha NZ) and Nixon Coppins (NZ/JCR/Altherm), two sons of former world champions and top World Championship riders will line up in the ADAC MX Junior Cup, having had their first taste of the series last year and been impressed by the standard of organisation and riding. From a German point of view, all eyes will be on Jamiro Peters (D/AMX Racing) and Felix Siegl (D/Husqvarna Pfeil).
The opening round of the season takes place on Easter weekend (4th and 5th April) in Grevenbroich.
