Motocross in Paldau

Local hero Kratzer makes Styrian fans cheer

Michael Kratzer celebrated a home win in Paldau(Bild: GEPA pictures)

The opening round of the Austrian Motocross Championship in Paldau was a complete success. Michael Kratzer put the spectators in a festive mood. Two other Styrians took podium places at the spectacle.

The atmosphere was tremendous. To all the fans: You were amazing!" shouted motocross ace Michael Kratzer from the top step of the podium in Paldau. The triumph of the Styrian local hero was the icing on the cake of a successful opening event of the national championship.

Around 3500 fans enjoyed themselves with schnitzel sandwiches, beer and ice cream. The only spoilsport was the wind, which occasionally whistled across the already challenging track with gusts of up to 60 km/h.

Spectators in high spirits
The fans loved the racing action that more than 170 starters conjured up on the ground. Cell phones were raised at the start, ears pricked up during the winner interviews and the occasional skeptical look as electric motorcycles (competing in Paldau for the first time) whizzed past the crowd without a sound.

Kratzer is aiming high this year.(Bild: GEPA pictures)

And cheers for the Styrian local heroes again and again! First and foremost Michael Kratzer, who fought a thrilling duel with Pascal Rauchenecker in the first race, leading at times and finishing a close second in the end.

Lead in the championship
"I didn't think it would go so well today. Because I'm actually in poor health and not in top form," said the man from Baierdorf, who really turned up the heat in the second race! Kratzer won an exciting three-way battle ahead of Michael Sandner and Lukas Neurauter to secure the day's victory.

"Unbelievable. But the championship is stronger than ever this year. There are six riders who will be fighting for the title," said Kratzer.

There was also Styrian jubilation in the smaller classes: Elias Steiner from Hartberg came third in the juniors, and Simon Breitfuss from Schladming came third in MX2.

Motocross-ÖM in Paldau, final results: 
MX Open: 1st Michael Kratzer (St, 2nd/1st), 2nd Pascal Rauchenecker (Upper Austria, 1st/5th), 3rd Michael Sandner (Upper Austria, 4th/2nd). 
MX2: 1st Johannes Klein (Upper Austria, 1st/1st), 2nd Marvin Salzer (Upper Austria, 3rd/3rd), 3rd Simon Breitfuss (St, 2nd/5th). 
MX Junior: 1st Gal Gersak (Slo, 1st/1st), 2nd Lukas Osek (Slo, 3rd/2nd), 3rd Elias Steiner (St, 2nd/4th). 
MX Youth: 1st Manuel Lackner (Bgl, 2nd/2nd), 2nd Kornel Papp (Hun, 4th/1st), 3rd Tal Ovadia (Isr, 1st/6th).