For the past three years, no German rider has competed on a full-time basis in the Motorcycle World Championship. Now, of all places, at the Sachsenring, hopes are rising that this dry spell will come to an end. Fynn Kratochwil is considered one of Germany’s greatest talents—by former riders, sponsors such as the Allgemeiner Deutscher Automobil-Club (ADAC), and many German fans.
261,831 fans came to the Sachsenring this race weekend—more than ever before. Among them was Lothar Matthäus, Germany’s all-time leading soccer national team player, who waved the checkered flag in the MotoGP class. Sachsenring specialist Marc Márquez was once again unbeatable. The Spaniard triumphed for the tenth time, cementing his reputation as the “King of the Ring.” Fittingly, he celebrated his victory with an inflatable crown. The attendance figure set yet another record, even without a top-tier German star to draw the crowds.
That could change, however—thanks to Kratochwil. After winning the Northern Talent Cup title, the 15-year-old is now competing in the Red Bull Rookies Cup and, on his home track in front of his family and many German fans, secured his first pole position in what is arguably the most important series on the path to the World Championship. In the races, he finished fourth on Saturday and third on Sunday. Sunday’s race was abandoned due to a crash. “This feels like a victory here. Thank you, Saxony,” said Kratochwil.
