MxLarge Story
Max Nagl interview – Quiet Achiever
Interview Friday 17th September 2010 By Geoff Meyer
Red Bull KTM Factory rider Max Nagl is the quiet achiever of the MX1 class. Having pushed Antonio Cairoli early in the year things went bad for the German when he injured himself at the GP of France.
Since then he has been working hard to come back, but a mystery illness slowed his progress. Now with the Red Bull FIM Motocross of Nations just around the corner Nagl is ready to explode back onto the scene and try and get his country onto the podium for the first time ever in the MXoN.
MXlarge: Max, you must be looking forward to the MXoN?
Nagl: Of course, the MXoN we have a good team with Ken, Marcus and myself, we have a good chance to get a good result. Last year was our best result when we got fourth. Our aim is to be on the podium, or maybe top five. I mean America and France are too strong, we can’t beat them.
MXlarge: You will ride the 450cc in Denver?
Nagl: I have tested the 350 after Fermo, but for the MXoN I ride the 450cc machine, and then I start testing the 350cc again.
MXlarge: It’s been a learning process for you this year hasn’t it?
Nagl: Every year you learn a lot, and I talked to Stefan a lot this year and we know what we have to work on and I know I can do better again in 2010.
MXlarge: Early in the season you looked really good, I mean you were the next man in line behind Antonio. What happened?
Nagl: My season started really well, and then I had the injury in France and from then it didn’t go so well. I had a problem with my body, something is not correct. When I do the tests in the lab I feel okay, but when I was riding I was really getting tired, also in Lierop I was so tired.
MXlarge: You have been using the USWE drink system, can you tell me a little about that?
Nagl: The USWE I started using it last year. Before that I was using something from Camelback, but that was too big and wasn’t working well. This company (USWE) uses something really good and I always use it on a sand track like Lommel or Lierop, because those places are so heavy and the body needs to drink a lot. Also hot and dusty races it works great.
MXlarge: Does it also give you an advantage mentally?
Nagl: It gives you also a nice feeling while riding, you don’t have to drink a lot, but sometimes it clears your throat. I remember the first time I used it I swallowed wrong and had to cough, but then I learnt when to use it and when not to. You can’t drink when going over a big bump, ha-ha.
Stanley Leroux Design
