Last season, Noah Ludwig made steady progress towards the upper echelons of the ADAC MX Masters. In Mölln, he claimed his first event victory in the top class of the series. His winter preparations for the 2026 season have differed somewhat to the past, and he entered the Supercross races in the ADAC SX-Cup in Stuttgart and Dortmund, where he enjoyed some positive results on the 250cc KTM. He now finds himself back on the 450cc Motocross bike, on which he is getting plenty of practice laps under his belt. In a pre-season interview, Ludwig reveals how he feels his preparations have gone.
We are in Grevenbroich, where the new ADAC MX Masters season will kick off at Easter. Is that a coincidence, or are you already looking for advantages ahead of the race? Noah Ludwig: “Yes, we are here in the so-called ‘hole’ at MSC Grevenbroich, but this is actually a classic place to meet up in the winter. At the moment, it is the only track here in Germany that you can ride on properly, as the winter track is very deep sand and it is not quite as cold in the west. It does not give me any advantage for the season opener, as the races will be held on the summer circuit, while we are practicing on the winter track.”
You surprised and impressed people with some strong performances in Supercross. “I told my team principal André Sarholz that I fancied it, and he immediately gave me his support. I prepared specially for it in Italy. It meant my off-season obviously looked a little bit different, and I have not ridden so much Motocross as in previous years. However, I don’t believe that will be a disadvantage. The important thing is that I was on a bike. It helps your timing and the high intensity is also a good thing. And it was a mega cool experience in the halls.”
What are your goals for the 2026 ADAC MX Masters season? “I would definitely like to be stood on the championship podium at the end of the year, and to compete at the front in every race and challenge for victories. This is now my fourth season in the big class, and I am ready for it.”
Last year started well, including a day victory in Mölln. However, the results were not so good in the second half of the season. What have you learned from last season, and what have you perhaps changed slightly for this year? “The year did begin really well, particularly with my race win in Fürstlich Drehna and then the day victory in Mölln. After that, I no longer felt quite so good and changed a few things. I have not ridden so much Motocross this winter, which might do me some good and help improve my results in the second half of the season. You learn little things every year, and I believe that this year will be even better.”
Have there been any major changes with regards to the team? “I am still riding for the KTM Sarholz Racing Team, and we have actually not changed the settings at all: same engine, same chassis, everything the same. I am super happy and feel really comfortable the way it is.”
Tom Koch is a new and strong team-mate. How do you two get along? “We have known each other relatively well for a long time. However, we haven’t actually seen each other yet this winter, apart bumping into each other in Mattstedt, where I was practicing for Supercross and he was riding Motocross. I think we will both be challenging for victories and will motivate each other.”
