Hat-trick: Kratochwil remains the rider to beat in Race 1
The Northern Talent Cup landed in Germany for the second round of the 2025 season, with action taking place at the incredible Oschersleben circuit, a venue which offers plenty of overtaking opportunities and is no stranger to high drama. Fynn Kratochwil (MASS SPORTS Racing by JRP Motorsport) continued his incredible form, narrowly claiming victory by 0.049s over polesitter Anina Urlass (Kiefer Racing) and Lorenzo Pontillo (Belgian Motorcycle Academy).
Urlass secured the perfect start to Race 1, holding onto an early advantage over Championship leader Kratochwil. However, the #8 did not wait long to launch his first attack, snatching the lead from Urlass on the opening lap at Turn 3. The front group was running a hot pace, with Pontillo sitting in third ahead of Thias Wenzel (Kiefer Racing) and Robin Siegert (Motorace Academy Germany) as tension built for a nail-biting fight. The #23 would work hard, charging from P3 to P1, with Pontillo placing himself in a position to duel with Urlass and Kratochwil throughout the opening stages.
However, disaster struck on Lap 11, with Wenzel crashing from the front group at the tricky Turn 9 – rider OK. There would be no points on offer for the #17 on Saturday as his attention switched to redemption in Race 2. Meanwhile, it was a fierce battle for the final spots inside the top 10, with Jaylen Korporaal (ADR Racing) defending for P8 ahead of Valdemar Mellgren (Nordgren Racing), Tobias Kitzbichler (Racingteam Kitzbichler) and Roman Durdis (FS12 Racing Team).
Everything was still to play for in the closing stages, with a five-rider group at the front of the field as the battle for the final spots inside the top 10 increased to six as Tamas Lukacs (Team Lukas Pesek) and Swan Emprin (SWAN#96) joined the fight. Urlass continued to lead the race, with Kratochwilin chase, continuing to gather further data while looking for an opportunity to score the maximum 25 points available.
Tension was sky high on the final lap, with Urlass continuing to lead, looking to claim their first NTC victory. However, Kratochwil had other plans, launching the decisive move at Turn 11. Urlass tried to respond, with a drag race to the line, allowing Kratochwilto snatch Saturday’s victory. It was a sensational ride from the #8, defeating Urlass and Pontillo as the Belgian rounded out the podium. Tom Rolin (Belgian Motorcycle Academy) took fourth position, fending off Alessandro Binder (ASR Binder Racing). Korporaal claimed seventh, beating Durdis, Emprin and Lukacs, who rounded out the top 10.
Siegert storms to Race 2 glory as Kratochwil and Urlass crash
Race 2 delivered further Northern Talent Cup drama at Oschersleben, with Robin Siegert charging to victory on Sunday. It was an incredible ride from the #11, who took glory by a mere 0.244s over Tom Rolin in second as Lorenzo Pontillo rounded out the podium positions on an unforgettable Sunday. There was plenty of drama throughout Race 2, with Anina Urlass and Fynn Kratochwil suffering a crash to end their hopes of victory on Sunday.
Once the lights went out for the start of Race 2, it was a stunning launch from Robin Siegert, with the #11 leading the pack throughout the opening lap. Siegert immediately put down the hammer, running a hot pace with Anina Urlass, Lorenzo Pontillo and championship leader Fynn Kratochwil in chase. Urlass soon took the lead, immediately stretching a gap with only Kratochwil able to match her pace. Meanwhile, Thais Wenzel began to cling to the rear of the group as the #17 looked for strong points following his crash on Saturday.
Kratochwil continued to pile the pressure on Urlass throughout the race, trying to force a mistake from the #21 as Wenzel and Pontillo began to duel for the final spot on the rostrum in a four-rider scrap. Further back, there were some sensational battles throughout Race 2, with Valdemar Mellgren, Roman Durdis, Giulio Di Napoli (RC113 Reparto Corse) and more fighting for the final spots inside the top 10 once more.
Tension built as the closing moments of Race 2 arrived, with late drama from Swan Emprin and Tobias Kitzbichler, forcing both riders to watch the remaining laps from the sidelines. The battle for the lead would go down to the wire, with Urlass continuing to lead Kratochwil on Lap 16. However, drama later unfolded at Turn 8, with both riders’ weekends coming to an abrupt end after an incident ended their podium hopes – riders OK. This promoted Rolin into the lead, with four riders now in the battle for victory.
Siegert launched the attack on the entry to the final corner, seizing control of Race 2 on the charge to the flag. The #11 crossed the line to beat Rolin while Pontillo and Wenzel went head-to-head for P3. Pontillo would cross the line in third, beating Wenzel as Alessandro Binder took the final spot inside the top five. Jaylen Korporaal was sixth on Sunday, with Durdis in seventh after a race-long battle with Tamas Lukacs, Mellgren and William Krzelj (KRZ Racing Team), who rounded out the top 10.
After a new winner and some late drama, the 2025 Northern Talent Cup season continues to spring a surprise, with drama, excitement and thrills packed into the weekend as anticipation now builds for the third round of the year. Next up, the NTC heads to Czechia, where Most is set to host another unmissable weekend of action!