Reigning MX2 world champion Simon Längenfelder will take on a new challenge during the MXGP break, as he prepares to line up on a 450cc machine at the next round of the ADAC MX Masters in Dreetz.
With a gap of over a month in the MXGP World Championship calendar following Arco di Trento, several GP riders are using the break to stay race-sharp by competing in national events. For Längenfelder, that means racing on home soil in Germany, but with a significant twist — stepping up to race the 450cc machine.
The second round of the ADAC MX Masters heads to the demanding sand circuit of Dreetz on the 9th and 10th of May. It’s a venue known for its brutal conditions, deep and gnarly sand making it an ideal testing ground for riders looking to prepare for the tough tracks in MXGP. Längenfelder previously contested a round of the series at Tensfeld last year on a 250cc, but this time he’ll be making his debut on the bigger bike in race conditions.
His move to the 450cc comes at a pivotal stage in his career. Should he successfully defend his MX2 world title, regulations would require him to move up to MXGP for the 2027 season. Even if he falls short, a change of class could still be on the cards, following the path taken by riders like Kay de Wolf and Andrea Adamo, who made the jump before aging out of the MX2 World Championship.
” Following the GP in Arco last weekend, we now have a break of over a month in the World Championship. During this time, I really want to race to stay in the rhythm, and Dreetz fits in perfectly. I’ll also be using this opportunity to compete in my first race on a 450cc motorbike”. Längenfelder told ADAC-Motorsport.de.
The Dreetz circuit presents a unique challenge, particularly with its deep sand and technical layout, something Längenfelder is already familiar with from training.
“I’ve been to Dreetz a few times for training, and I think I raced there once or twice when I was younger. But I’ve never been there as part of the ADAC MX Masters. The track is a real challenge. It has lots of 180-degree bends where you have to dig yourself out of the sand. I’ve heard that a lot of riders were complaining last year that the track was so worn out. But that makes it all the better for me in terms of preparing for the upcoming MXGP races”.
Despite his ambitions, the German remains grounded heading into his first outing on the 450cc, aware of both the competition and his limited time on the bike. The ADAC MX Masters field is stacked with experienced riders, including former GP race winner Max Nagl and former MX2 GP winner Roan van de Moosdijk, who recently battled it out at Grevenbroich.
“The established Masters riders know the track well under race conditions from previous years. Of course, I’d like to try and win at Dreetz, but I also know that it’s my first race on the 450, that I need to take it easy and that the others are really strong too. The duel between Max Nagl and Roan van de Moosdijk in the second race at Grevenbroich showed just how good they are. I’m curious myself to see how things will go on the 450. I haven’t ridden it much yet – just a few days, and with the setup from my 250. In any case, I’m looking forward to completing my first race laps on the big bike and gaining some experience.”
The Dreetz round will offer an early glimpse into Längenfelder’s future in the MXGP class. While expectations should remain measured, his decision to step up to the 450 during the break highlights both his ambition and forward-thinking approach. Whether it results in a win, podium challenge or simply valuable experience, it marks an important step in his progression towards the MXGP class.
