Visitor boom at the Sachsenring: The icing on the cake is missing

The only thing missing was the icing on the cake. All signs continue to point to a contract extension between organizer ADAC and MotoGP promoter Dorna. However, it is not yet certain that the Sachsenring will continue to be part of the motorcycle world championship racing calendar after 2026.

ADAC Head of Motorsport Thomas Voss seems confident, however. "We started talks with the rights holder last year," he told the German Press Agency. "Due to the changes within Dorna, this has recently been delayed somewhat. We expect to hopefully be able to successfully conclude the negotiations shortly."

Another spectator record

So German fans still have a little trepidation. An anniversary edition would be coming up in 2027. Because 100 years earlier, the Badberg quadrangular race in front of 130,000 spectators marked the start of a Saxon motorsport success story.

Although there were once again no local stars in the field this year, 256,441 spectators flocked to the track. Once again, the record attendance was broken with the success of premier class dominator Marc Márquez. The Ducati rider impressively lived up to his nickname "King of the Ring".

German team celebrates home win

The importance of the event for two-wheel racing in this country was made clear by TV expert Lukas Tulovic. "We need lighthouse events like this - especially for young people," said the last German regular rider, who now races in the International German Motorcycle Championship. His former racing team, Intact GP from Memmingen, celebrated a home win in the Moto3 class.

For the second time in a row, however, a local rider was absent from the crash spectacle on the shortest circuit on the racing calendar. Previously, there had always been at least one German rider on the World Championship grid between 1950 and 2023.

Kratochwil causes a sensation

The dry spell could soon be over, however, according to Dirk Heidolf. The 48-year-old has high hopes for his protégé Fynn Kratochwil, who is currently causing a sensation in the Northern Talent Cup. "I am firmly convinced that something could happen with him again. We urgently need that. Everyone is panting for a German rider," said the former rider about the 14-year-old from Thuringia, whom he trains and advises.

Kratochwil dominates the junior series sponsored by ADAC, Honda and MotoGP rights holder Dorna almost at will. He was also unbeatable in the first race at the Sachsenring, finishing third on Sunday. "He is one of the greatest talents we have," said Heidolf confidently.

However, it will be some time before Kratochwil is allowed to compete in the World Championship. For safety reasons, the entry age has been raised to 18. Earlier entry is only possible in exceptional cases.

The desired contract extension for his home race would certainly be an additional motivation. After all, the Mühlhausen native has a clear goal, as he confirmed: the premier class. "That's where I want to be," he said.