Jeffrey Herlings shines with a start-to-finish victory in the ADAC MX Masters. Nico Greutmann fights for victory in the ADAC MX Youngster Cup. Fiona Hoppe wins the EMX Women qualifying race.

Guest starter and superstar Jeffrey Herlings (NL/Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) lived up to his role as favorite on Saturday at the ADAC MX Masters in Tensfeld and thrilled everyone present with a clear start-to-finish victory. In the ADAC MX Youngster Cup, Nico Greutmann (CH/Cat Moto Bauerschmidt Husqvarna) won in a thrilling three-way battle. In the EMX Women qualifying race, Fiona Hoppe (D/Husqvarna) secured a home victory.

Jeffrey Herlings proved his class in his guest start as LS2 Best Qualifier in the morning. In the first race on Saturday, he sped away from the rest of the field after the Red Bull Holeshot and took a safe start-finish victory, while championship leader Max Nagl (KMP-Honda-Racing powered by Krettek) suffered two crashes and finished tenth. Behind Herlings, Tom Koch (D/Kosak Racing Team) crossed the finish line in second place after Jordi Tixier crashed on the last lap and gave up this position. Brent van Doninck (B/JM Honda Racing) proved his strength by starting the race last after a crash at the start and moving up to third place. Maximilian Spies (D/Kosak Racing Team) and Kevin Brumann (CH/Sixty Seven Racing Husqvarna) rounded out the top five.

“I drove my very first ADAC race in Tensfeld in 2006. Last year I was also planning to start here, but then I injured myself beforehand. It was all the better that I was able to start here at short notice and give the fans my start. I hope everyone had fun,” said Herlings after his victory.

The first race of the ADAC MX Youngster Cup offered the numerous fans an exciting final phase. Bence Pergel (HU/HTS KTM) took the lead with the Red Bull Holeshot ahead of championship leader Dave Kooiker (NL/Schmicker Racing). Nico Greutmann moved up strongly from tenth place after the first lap and pushed Maximilian Werner (D/JM Honda Racing) out of third place halfway through the race. The Swiss driver steadily reduced the gap to the leaders in the second half, so that the top three were close together in the last three laps. Shortly before the finish, Greutmann first passed Kooiker and one lap later, at the same place, Pergel, to take the win. Pergel fended off Kooiker's attacks until the finish and finished second ahead of the Dutchman.

"After my start, it was clear to me that it would be a difficult race. Despite temporary problems with a brake that had become too hot, I made good progress and managed my strength. When I managed to catch up with the leaders, I analyzed my opponents and quickly realized where I could easily overtake them, which I then managed to do," beamed Greutmann at the finish.

The EMX Women are hosting their final event as part of the ADAC MX Masters in Tensfeld. The women only drove one qualifying race on Saturday, which decided the starting grid for the two races on Sunday. Fiona Hoppe secured a home victory in qualifying with a start-to-finish victory. She beat Tyra Bäckström (S/Gasgas) and Elena Kapsamer (A/Gasgas) and will start the two races tomorrow from pole position.

"I didn't expect that, even though I thought a podium finish was realistic. But tomorrow is when it really counts, I hope that I can offer the fans just as good races then," said Hoppe happily in the winner's interview.

The re-live of the first day of racing can be found on the ADAC Motorsport YouTube channel. The live stream with all races on Sunday starts at 10.30 a.m. The digital program booklet as well as schedules and starting lists are available for download at Tensfeld (without ADAC MX Junior Cup 85 & 125).

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