Simon Längenfelder won the ADAC MX Masters class on Saturday. Scott Smulders took victory in the first race of the ADAC MX Youngster Cup. Martins Cirulis secured a start-to-finish victory in the ADAC MX Junior Cup 85.
Fans at the ADAC MX Masters event on Saturday were treated to a thrilling opening race in Dreetz, where conditions were good but challenging. Simon Längenfelder (D/Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Team) took victory, making it a successful debut for him on the 450cc bike. Scott Smulders (NL/SixtySeven Racing-Team) confirmed his position at the top of the table in the ADAC MX Youngster Cup with a race win. Martins Cirulis (LAT/Schmicker Silve Racing) claimed a comfortable win in the opening race of the ADAC MX Junior Cup 85, finishing well clear of a four-man group. In the ADAC MX Junior Cup 125, Lucas Leok (EST/KTM MX Futures) starts from pole position on Sunday.
ADAC MX Masters: The world champion against the experienced campaigner
Max Nagl (D/Dörr Motorsport Triumph Racing) took the Red Bull Holeshot and the early lead, but the experienced rider was passed on the opening lap by reigning MX2 world champion Längenfelder. As the race progressed, this pair pulled well clear of the rest of the field, and treated spectators to an enthralling battle. Jörgen-Matthias Talviku (EST/SHR Motorsports by Hartje) was running third in the opening third of the race, but was then overtaken by Maximilian Spies (D/Becker Racing), who had worked his way through the field from seventh place. Acerbis Best Qualifier Roan van de Moosdijk (NL/KTM Kosak Racing Team) also had work to do, having found himself down in tenth place after the opening lap. He passed Talviku, with Jere Haavisto (FIN/Schmicker Silve Racing) in two, to take fourth place in the final third of the race. Längenfelder made a mistake towards the end of the race, which allowed Nagl to close right in on him. However, the world champion remained in control and went on to take victory ahead of Nagl, Spies, van de Moosdijk, and Haavisto.
“It feels mega to win my first race on the 450cc bike. However, I had a few moments, in which even I don’t know how I managed to stay on the bike. I knew that Max would not let up, and gave it my all. However, that did not necessarily make it any better on the big bike, which you really have to ride more smoothly,” said a happy Längenfelder.
ADAC MX Youngster Cup: Smulders holds off Skovbjerg
Bence Pergel (HU/HTS Racing Team) took the Red Bull Holeshot, as he battled his way to the head of the field, followed by Saku Mansikkamäki (FIN/Schmicker Silve Racing) and Valentin Kees (D/ KTM Kosak Racing Team). However, just three laps later, Red Plate holder Smulders stormed into the lead from eighth place. Mads Fredsoe (DK/Cat Moto Bauerschmidt KTM) also passed Pergel on the same lap to move into second place. On lap five, Nicolai Skovbjerg (DK/MX-Handel Husqvarna Racing), who at one point found himself down in 14th place, fought his way past the Hungarian and into the top three, before setting off in pursuit of the leading duo. With five laps remaining, Skovbjerg overtook his compatriot and made big inroads into Smulders’ lead in the closing stages. However, Smulders was able to respond and successfully defended his lead, taking the chequered flag ahead of Skovbjerg and Fredsoe.
“It is excellent to start the weekend with a win. We are still very early in the season, the opposition is strong. With this in mind, I am trying to win as many races as possible,” said Smulders.
ADAC MX Junior Cup 125: Leok on pole position
In the ADAC MX Junior Cup 125, Saturday was all about qualifying and the starting positions for Sunday’s two races. Lucas Leok set the fastest lap time in qualifying and has the honour of choosing his starting place first tomorrow, followed by Emil Ziemer (CH/Motobike Racing Team) and Finn Lange (D/KTM GST Berlin Racing).
ADAC MX Junior Cup 85:
The first race in the youngest class was all about Martins Cirulis, who dominated the race from start to finish and took a commanding victory. Behind him, a group of four riders formed early in the race: Gregor Lootus (EST/KTM), Luca Nierychlo (D/KTM MX Futures), Patriks Cirulis (LAT/Schmicker Silve Racing) and Kenzo Jaspers (NL/AK Bouw-Hutten Metaal Junior MX Team) spent the entire race closely bunched together. The gaps between each other varied throughout the race, and each rider had their strong periods. With two laps of the race remaining, Nierychlo managed to overtake Lootus and climb into second place. Lootus then dropped into fifth place on the final lap, behind Patriks Cirulis and Jaspers.
“That was my first race win of the season. After the Holeshot, I was able to ride my own race, and found a good rhythm. I will try to do the same thing tomorrow,” said a delighted Martins Cirulis.
A replay of the first day of racing is available on the ADAC Motorsport YouTube channel. The live stream of all Sunday’s races begins at 9.50 am and can be watched at adac.de/mx-masters.
