Marius Kircher (KTM 450): First podium, but no final in Argentina

MSC Diedenbergen is proud of its flat-track rider Marius Kircher. Since Markus Jell secured third place in the FIM Flat Track World Championship in the 2021 season, Kircher is the first German rider to have made it onto the podium in a World Championship round. At the eighth round of this year’s World Championship on 3 October in Pardubice, Czech Republic, the 21-year-old sensationally finished third on a KTM 450 behind championship leader Tim Neave from Great Britain (Ducati) and Czech local hero Ondřej Svědík (Yamaha) in first place.

Neave thus extended his lead in the World Championship standings ahead of the season finale on 24 and 25 October in Totoras, Argentina, to a 19-point advantage over his compatriots Ashton Boughen and Jack Bell. Kircher will not be competing there, however, as the costly trip to South America is currently beyond his means.

Season opener marred by a horrific crash in Roden (NL)

For Marius Kircher, the season began with a horrific crash at the opening race in Roden (NL). The result: hospital, operations, physiotherapy and a break from racing. As a result, the talented rider from Künzelsau – a town with strong Franconian roots in north-western Baden-Württemberg – missed the World Championship rounds in Terenzano (I), Teterow (D), Kings Lynn (GB) and Kraljevec in northern Croatia.

On the eve of the Long-Track Grand Prix in Scheeßel, the World Championship race at the Eichenring was meant to mark Kircher’s successful return to racing, but the blisteringly fast 1,000-metre sand track proved too much for the recovering rider following his injuries – particularly mentally. “To be honest, I thought I’d have to give it all up, and I was on the verge of never getting back on my motorbike,” said Kircher now, having seemingly turned things round completely with a 10th-place finish at the race in Vasad (H) and a sensational third place in Pardubice, Czech Republic.

Help from Jack Düringer, sporting director of MSC Diedenbergen

Kircher: “I’m so glad that things are finally turning round again. I’d like to say a huge thank you to my team for that.” His team consists of his father Ralf Kircher, his girlfriend Lana Durina and Jack Düringer, the new sporting director of MSC Diedenbergen. The latter, in particular, has played a major part in Marius Kircher’s recent resurgence. Düringer, who also competes as Jens Lorei’s passenger in the International Sidecar Class, took Kircher – who is the same age – under his wing, enabling him to train extensively on the home track in Diedenbergen and providing him with advice and support during the races.

Kircher: “Jack has supported me right from the start. He’s given me lots of valuable tips, helped me deal with my fears and, above all, built me up mentally again. He gives me confidence, motivates me and helps me, step by step, to regain confidence in myself and my abilities. I’m incredibly grateful to him for that.”

No sponsors for the races in Argentina

Unfortunately, Kircher has to give the final two World Championship rounds in Argentina a miss, as he lacks the necessary budget. “Flat track at international level is simply very expensive, especially when you’re travelling around the world, and without sponsors it becomes almost impossible to manage at some point,” says Kircher, who would love to become a full-time professional in the sport. “It would be my absolute dream to be able to make a living from it one day, but I also know that there’s still a long way to go and that it’s difficult. But as the saying goes, you’re supposed to believe in your dreams.”