Max Nagl kicked off the season with a controlled race win. Nicolai Skovbjerg defeated Scott Smulders in the first race of the ADAC MX Youngster Cup. Kenzo Jaspers came out on top in the ADAC MX Junior Cup 85.
The 22nd season of the ADAC MX Masters began with an exciting opener in Grevenbroich. The three races held that day were won by Max Nagl (D/Dörr Motorsport Triumph Racing) in the ADAC MX Masters, Nicolai Skovbjerg (DK/MX-Handel Husqvarna Racing) in the ADAC MX Youngster Cup, and Kenzo Jaspers (NL/AK Bouw-Hutten Metaal Junior MX Team) in the ADAC MX Junior Cup 85. In the ADAC MX Junior Cup 125, Emil Ziemer (CH/Motobike Racing Team) will start from pole position on Sunday.
ADAC MX Masters: The Favorites in the Top Spots
The first Red Bull Holeshot of the new season went to Harri Kullas (EST/Schmicker Silve Racing), who, however, had to yield the lead to Nagl after the first lap. From that point on, Nagl controlled the race and extended his lead to over 20 seconds by the finish. Reigning champion Roan van de Moosdijk (NL/Kosak Racing Team) was in the top five after the start and pushed Kullas out of second place on the fifth lap. After eight laps, Kullas crashed following a jump and ended the race early. Jere Haavisto (FIN/Schmicker Silve Racing) consequently took third place, but was pushed back to fifth by Tom Koch (D/KTM Sarholz Racing Team) and Maximilian Spies (D/Becker Racing) in the final quarter of the race. With Jordi Tixier (F/KMP-Honda-Racing powered by DVAG) in sixth place, another top rider got off to a solid start in the championship.
“I arrived feeling confident after a strong winter preparation. The track was quite challenging in the first race. Once I took the lead, I eased off the pace a bit to conserve my energy, but that caused me to lose my rhythm slightly. My rigorous training and the further development of the motorcycle during the off-season were two key factors in this success,” Nagl said during the winner’s interview.
ADAC MX Youngster Cup: Skovbjerg Wins After an Eventful Race
Bence Pergel (HU/HTS Racing Team) took the lead with the Red Bull Holeshot, ahead of Saku Mansikkamäki (FIN/Schmicker Silve Racing) and Maximilian Werner (D/Dörr Motorsport Triumph Racing). After two laps, Scott Smulders (NL/SixtySeven Racing Team) took second place and, two laps later, the lead from Pergel. Meanwhile, Werner gradually fell back. Acerbis Best Qualifier Skovbjerg didn’t get off to the best start and initially had to work his way up the field. On the sixth lap, he passed Pergel, who ended his race prematurely one lap later due to a crash. With three laps to go, Smulders had to yield to the pressure from Skovbjerg and relinquish the lead. In the final two laps, Mansikkamäki reclaimed third place from Mads Fredsoe (DK/Cat Moto Bauerschmidt KTM), who had previously worked his way up from sixth place. In the final sprint, Lyonel Reichl (LIE/KTM Sarholz Racing Team) also passed Fredsoe again. Thus, the first victory of the season went to Skovbjerg ahead of Smulders, Mansikkamäki, Reichl, and Fredsoe.
“Qualifying went really well, but then I messed up the start of the race and released the clutch too slowly. But my pace was very good today, so I was able to work my way up through the field. I’m happy to start the season with a win on a new bike in a new team,”
ADAC MX Junior Cup 125: Ziemer on Pole Position
In the ADAC MX Junior Cup 125, Saturday’s action focused on qualifying and determining the starting grid for Sunday’s two races. Emil Ziemer set the fastest lap in qualifying and will have first pick of starting positions tomorrow, followed by Lucas Leok (EST/KTM MX Futures) and Aston Allas (EST/Redmoto Racing).
ADAC MX Junior Cup 85: Jaspers Pushes for the Lead
Patriks Cirulis (LAT/Schmicker Silve Racing) took the lead with the Red Bull Holeshot ahead of Kash van Hamond (NL/Kosak Racing Team), Luca Nierychlo (D/KTM MX Futures), and Jaspers, while Harry Dale (GB/KTM MX Futures) started outside the top ten. However, van Hamond crashed twice in quick succession after two laps and fell far behind. Jaspers increased the pressure on Nierychlo after the first third of the race and passed the German on the sixth lap. One lap later, he took the lead from Cirulis and built a clear lead all the way to the finish. Meanwhile, Dale worked his way up to fourth place. Nierychlo moved up to Cirulis’s rear wheel toward the end of the race but was unable to pass him. Behind Jaspers, Cirulis, Nierychlo, and Dale, Liam Gassbeek (NL/Kemco Management) rounded out the top five. “I had a good start and then gave it my all to work my way up to first place. I can really feel that in my arms now. I was then able to keep posting consistently good lap times and am very happy with this victory,” beamed Jaspers.
A replay of the first day of racing is available on the ADAC Motorsport YouTube channel. The live stream of all Sunday races begins at 9:50 a.m. and can be viewed at adac.de/mx-masters.
