Jeffrey Herlings wins the first round of the ADAC MX Masters. Markuss Kokins celebrates first race win in the ADAC MX Youngster Cup. Lucas Leok is in a class of his own in the ADAC MX Junior Cup 85.

"I drifted a little too far in the starting corner, which caused Max Spies to slip through on the inside. I studied his tracks for a while and tried to get him a little tired. After a few laps I was able to take the lead. It was very demanding today with temperatures above 30 degrees and the heavily worn track. I'm happy about the victory and look forward to the two races tomorrow," said Herlings.

In warm summer temperatures, the fans experienced 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 until the finish. Lucas Leok (EST/KTM MX Futures) took a commanding race win in the ADAC MX Junior Cup 85. In the ADAC MX Junior Cup 125, Ricardo Bauer (A/MSC Imbach MX Racing Team) will start from pole position on Sunday.

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 straighten a bent gear lever before he was the last to resume driving.

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 by a clear margin of seconds until the finish. Van de Moosdijk rode a lonely race behind the leading duo and finished in third place ahead of Marcel Stauffer (A/Osicka MX Team) and Jörgen-Matthias Talviku (EST/Triumph Aqva Racing). Nagl worked his way up to 14th position, which means that he is still ahead in the championship.

In the ADAC MX Youngster Cup, Jan Krug (D/SixtySeven Racing Husqvarna) first took the lead with the Red Bull Holeshot. Krug put in a strong performance on his race comeback, staying in the lead for two laps and staying in the top five for the first half of the race. Kokins took first position on lap three and opened up a lead of several seconds. Maxime Grau (F/WZ-Racing KTM) moved into the chasing position on lap five and closed the gap to Kokins in the closing 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 out of third place at the start of the race, but quickly regained the position and then retained it until the finish. Championship leader Quentin Prugnieres (F/WZ-Racing KTM) placed 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 the whole race, even though I had to make a lot of effort at the end to fend off Maxime's attacks," Kokins beamed.

Luca Nierychlo (D/KTM MX Futures) sprinted to the front with the Red Bull Holeshot, but was pushed out of there by Lucas Leok in the second corner. Meanwhile, co-favourite Harry Dale (GB/KTM MX Futures) crashed in the starting turmoil and started from the back of the field. Leok rode a controlled and safe race, which he won with a lead of over 50 seconds. Marten Raud (EST/MX-Handel Husqvarna Racing) and Patriks Cirulis (LAT/Schmicker Racing) took the chasing positions early on, which they held until the finish line. Dale fought his way to fourth position a few meters before the end of the race ahead of Kenzo Jaspers (NL/Huttenmetall AK Bouw Racing Junior Team).

"At the start I went a bit too far to the outside, but I quickly passed Luca and then it was a good race. I concentrated on my tracks and tried to avoid mistakes. That worked out well," said Leok.