The next motocross spectacle will take place in Seitenstetten on Saturday and Sunday. In addition to the local top riders, including Michael Sandner from Rainbach, who comes as the ÖMS leader, the high-performance talents around Elias Sonnleitner will also be in the spotlight as part of the OÖ Cup. A total of 30 kids will be giving it their all.
One of them has just been crowned 2-stroke European champion and landed on the podium at his ADAC Masters debut in Gaildorf, the other wants to extend his lead in the domestic premier class in Seitenstetten this weekend. This shows that Marcel Stauffer from Salzburg and Michael Sandner from Rainbach are currently among Austria’s absolute motocross figureheads.Fighters are at the startWhat else do the two have in common besides their successes? Both were seriously injured in falls in Italy in 2023, breaking their first cervical and thoracic vertebrae. It is all the more gratifying that the two incredible fighters have regained their old strength after such a short time and will fight for victory in the fifth Austrian championship race on Sunday and inspire the crowds.Test driver for GasGasThe day before, however, the focus in Seitenstetten is on the youngest horsepower talents. Because in the 50cc race, which is part of the OÖ Cup, 30 (!) drivers aged five to ten are at the start. “An incredible field of starters and a very important sign for youth work,” says MSC chairman Gerhard Sonnleitner, whose son Elias is one of the most promising talents himself. Especially since the 6-year-old was hired as a test driver by motorcycle manufacturer GasGas, which belongs to KTM, last December. “A great honor,” says dad Gerhard “I want to be world champion” Elias was already gripped by motocross fever at the age of two, and he took part in his first races at the age of four. “I really enjoy it,” laughs the school beginner, who already has big goals: “I want to be world champion one day!”
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