Interview Geoff Meyer images J.P. Acevedo
Red Bull Ice One Husqvarna Factory rider Max Nagl is something of the superman of the 2015 MXGP series. Just like Clark Kent the American fictional character, who puts on his superman costume and suddenly has super-powers Nagl does a similar job once he pulls on his AGV helmet, his THOR racing clothing and Alpinestars boots.
The German rider is without question one of the most humble and friendly people in the GP paddock, and while his reserved personality might not get him as much publicity as somebody like Jeffrey Herlings or Ryan Villopoto, his attitude to racing and his professional approach is just as impressive as anyone in the MXGP class.
We caught up with the Qatar and Argentina winner and asked him about his success in 2015 and his two battles with American champion Ryan Villopoto.
How does Max Nagl celebrate winning his second GP of the season?
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.
We talked about it after Qatar, but you still have to be surprised by winning two of the first three GPs or not?
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.
Does being a father maybe make it easier to handle the pressure? Life isn’t just about motocross anymore is it?
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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
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?
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.
Have you had a chance to talk to him yet?
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.
He seems to have fitted in well with the Grand Prix people.
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.
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?
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.
It must be exciting as a racer to look ahead how this MXGP championship will be played out?
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.
Final question, what is your plan moving into Arco in a couple of weeks’ time?
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.
