Mxlarge: How does Max Nagl celebrate winning the first two GPs of the season? Nagl: We went out for a nice meal with the team, I always spend time with the team, but for the rest, I didn’t do so much. The season is just started and I don’t want to make a big party because I won two GPs. I always try and stay with my feet on the ground and work hard and that is my way to celebrate. Mxlarge: We talked about it after Qatar, but you still have to be surprised by winning two of the first three GPs or not? Nagl: The preparation we put into the bike in the winter we expected to do good, we did a lot of work, but not win two GPs, that is a bit of a surprise, we didn’t expect that. To win a GP is never easy, for me Qatar was easier than Argentina, but I enjoyed Argentina I enjoyed more because I didn’t have the holeshot and I had to pass the guys to get the win and that felt good. Mxlarge: Does being a father maybe make it easier to handle the pressure? Life isn’t just about motocross anymore is it? Nagl: I don’t think about it, but it is possible. Maybe it is there. I take my motocross very seriously, but other things are more important than motocross now, but the little one give me a lot of motivation to perform well and that helps. Mxlarge: Knowing Antti (Pyrhönen) your team manager I can imagine the atmosphere in the team is very lay-back and there isn’t a lot of pressure. That must help you a lot as you have never liked the big pressure of some of the bigger teams it seemed. Nagl: For sure, it helps a lot. First of all there is no pressure from the team or anybody around me. It’s the best team I have ever ridden in. I am so happy and so comfortable with this team, especially with Antti. The riders are so relaxed and there is no bullshit around, some of the other teams have that and my team doesn’t have that and that makes it a lot easier for me. Mxlarge: Winning in Qatar and Argentina must have been a little easier because you didn’t have any pressure. I can imagine though with the new team situation you will handle being a favorite a lot better now? Nagl: It is never easy, it is like you said, now people expect more from me, but it still isn’t easy. Arco will be difficult, but Valkenswaard, I like the sand and I will do my best again. Mxlarge: It doesn’t really matter if you are a journalist, racer, mechanic, team manager, we are all motocross fans. Having Ryan Villopoto racing here is a big deal, but what is it like racing him? Nagl: First I was really surprised how clear and clean he rides. I have been in battles with him twice now and he always stays on his line, he won’t move over and try and block you, or try and take you off the track in the straight, if you are faster you pass him, and the same way if he is quicker he can just pass. I like racing somebody like this. That is what has happened and I really enjoy racing him. On Saturday when I was behind him he was wide open and always like that, but that is his style. Mxlarge: Have you had a chance to talk to him yet? Nagl: I saw him at a training track at Veldhoven and I went to him and we talked for a while. I was interested how he is feeling in Europe and where he lives and I am really interested about that. Mxlarge: He seems to have fitted in well with the Grand Prix people. Nagl: He is different to many American rider, many American riders you see them and they show-off, but he is a normal guy, he is like us the European guys. He just does his work and that gives me a lot of respect for him. I like the style of how he does it. Mxlarge: At the start of the season everyone talked about the big four (Cairoli, Villopoto, Desalle and Paulin). Now it seems like we have the big five. Does it feel good that people are noticing you more now? Nagl: I like it, because all winter it was really quiet about myself, it was all about Toni, Ryan, Gautier, but I always say actions speaks loader than words. If I can make people talk about me with my results, that is a lot better than making a big show. Mxlarge: It must be exciting as a racer to look ahead how this MXGP championship will be played out? Nagl: Of course, I think again we will have many different GP winners this year, big battles and at the moment it is all mixed up with the speed, everyone is together on the track, very close. Mxlarge: Final question, what is your plan moving into Arco in a couple of weeks’ time? Nagl: This week I take a recovery from the Argentina trip, because that really takes a lot out of you. Next week we start testing with the new bike, I will also race in Germany on the weekend. I won’t do the whole series, but his one is a nice one so I go there. I have one training before Arco, because there is a nice track down near Munich. Then we prepare for Arco and hopefully we can do well there.
Why ?? Has he done you some personal harm? Has he been bad mouthing you or something? Come on spill the beans- What has he done to you ?
Boring watching the same person win so much. I always cheer for the underdog. I started cheering for Husky last year and now look
Nice reply and not what I was expecting lol. Yep if there was a bit of a underdog it gotta be Nagl, Man is on a mission
I'm with you. I love the GP series but some parody would be nice. I'm super stoked seeing a Husky out front this season.
Unfortunately, many Americans see MXGP, as a parody of MX racing..... I can't believe the excuses I've heard, from the local MX faithful, on why RV hasn't schooled the Euros yet!
I can assure that it is not a speed problem. It took Brad Lackey 6 years ish to win his first GP, and 10 to win the title. Rv won his third GP. He's struggling with everything NOT speed and talent related. Most important, there are a few FAST dudes there, that will raise their game even more to not have their toys taken away.
More than a few fast dudes for sure, you all know of course it is a different world of MX and truly the only championship that matters. Until Tony C. retires no hope for Ryan those boys are just too tough given the difference in venue and track setup. Some of the French and tracks in Italy are so demanding only the brave of heart dare spin it up. Anyway it is very good to see all American entries not just the Ryan V. Wish them the best. Like he said sometimes you have to slow to go fast. Brad had some tough Rivals in his day and the tracks were brutal , Brads number #1.
I'm not jumping ship just yet .... I was in the hightech field once earning a living and there was the battle on the H-2 visas ... some of the top employers said that they could not get enough americans to do the job ... I did not believe those words at the time and I know RV2 can spin it up(?) as he has shown in only 3 very weird races and race formats ...
I was doing a little reading on Nagl ... He finished 2nd to AC222 in 09 ... Then lost something and it was not until recently he has returned to the top edge ... He had 5 wins in 014, not sure on 013... He's legit apparently ...
Max Nagl rode this weekend and won from Glenn Coldenhoff View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yjZAk2c6JIU
He really looks good on the Husky, I can't even remember what he road last year And, he makes that Husky look good too. I bet it's good to be a Husky dealer in Germany about now. Thanks for the vid.
Yep ...answers a question I asked months ago ... 3 weeks off at the start of a racing season just seems like a way to lose focus ... So what does a racer do with so much time off? Go win a National in your home country. Red Bull IceOne Husqvarna factory rider Max Nagl has scored victory in the German Motocross Championships this weekend. Nagl went 2-1 just pipping young Dutchman Glenn Coldenhoff who scored the same results but missed out on the overall with a weaker second moto (1-2). Third overall was Christian Brockel. He's standing on that outside peg ... Shots like this are how I try to understand how to ride a bike. -- Nagl has made a strong comeback towards the end of 2012 and now begins a new chapter in his career as he chooses to race Honda machinery alongside Evgeny Bobryshev for his 2013 campaign. The German star, who is looking forward to becoming part of the Honda family, will head to Japan for testing with Honda's research and development team, before beginning his training programme with the Honda World Motocross squad in Italy over the winter period. SP brought him over in 014? Not sure....
