Max Nagl
Published: 12th April 2008
Author: Words and photos by Alex Hodgkinson
Max Power! The stand-out star of last year’s pre-season internationals, Max Nagl’s season was over by May. But this year the man KTM are pinning all their MX1 hopes on has Stefan Everts and Pit Beirer in his corner…
Max Nagl will carry a heavy weight on his shoulders in 2008. The 20-year-old Bavarian is not only the youngest contender, he is KTM’s only full-factory rider in MX1 this year. We spoke to him at Mantova.
DBR: How does it feel to be a factory rider?
MN: “Cool. The entire Red Bull KTM team was in Spain together last month and the difference to being a support rider was immediately clear. I have two mechanics - at the races I have Peter Tillerqvist who worked for Philippaerts last year and Dave Geurts, a Belgian guy who is new in the team, will prepare my practice bike.”
DBR: You had the chance of a factory engine last year but you preferred to stick with your Sarholz engine. How is that now?
MN: “Much better. The factory has dramatically improved the engine. The basis was already better than before even though it was not as strong as my ’07 race engine but we have now increased the power. Most important, however, the new motor has a completely different power delivery - it is much smoother and suits me perfectly.
“I don’t know what they changed but I couldn’t and wouldn’t tell if I knew. I gave them my feedback about the way it felt and the engineers made the changes. There were five of them there and that is their job, just like it is mine to race and tell them my impressions. The bike suits me perfectly now so it’s down to me to get the results.
“The frame is also new this year with a different geometry and the weight distribution has been altered. It felt better from the word go, though I did have to get used to it and actually needed to change my riding style. But it was worth it. I feel even better comfortable on the bike than before, a genuine advance.
“I don’t know what the weight is, though we are not down at 102kg like last year. But I don’t need that. I rode with 115kg last year and didn’t have any problems. I think we are somewhere around 105-106kg but I don’t think we will be looking to trim off any more weight. That could affect the stability of the bike. I’d rather have a few kilos more and not risk losing that!”
DBR: You are KTM’s only full-factory rider. Does that worry you?
MN: “No, not at all - in fact it is a bonus. I have been able to get a set-up exactly the way I want it with no compromises.”
DBR: But don’t you feel more pressure?
MN: “No way, in fact it suits me better this way. I see the pressure which Tommy, Tyla and Rui are building up among themselves, each of them equally fast and each determined to be number one in the team. The pressure doesn’t come from above on them but is built up from below among themselves. Each one is trying to see what the other is doing and gain from it.”
DBR: What are your expectations for this year?
MN: “Neither KTM nor myself have entered the numbers game. First let’s get the season under way, after a couple of races we will know where we stand.”
DBR: Last year you were an overwhelming winner in Mantova, then out for the season at the start of May. We guess you want 2008 to run a different course…
MN: “For sure. But we already took measures to turn that around. Last year I started training on the bike in December and I mean intensive training. This year I didn’t ride at all until the middle of January, except for a bit of trail riding in the woods. I had three months off the bike and I have to admit I was sceptical if that would work for me - even with my injuries over the years I’ve never been off a bike for so long before and I wasn’t sure if I would be able to find my rhythm again.
“But I see now that I was much too far into my training much too early last year. Stefan and Pit insisted that I change that and I can see they were right. I quickly got back into my rhythm and I don’t have the danger of burn-out.
“I am nowhere near as fit here in Mantova as I was last year when I won the race. I could already race flat-out for two times 40 minutes by the middle of February last year but the season doesn’t start in earnest until April 6 in Valkenswaard - by then I will be ready, still not 100 per cent but ready to race at the front - and the aim is to start to peak in May and June.”
DBR: Who do you train with?
MN: “My training on the bike is with Stefan but I have my own physical trainer back home at the fitness studio for athletes. But Stefan has given us targets to reach from his experience over the years.”
DBR: How do you feel about the proposed switch from 450 to 350 in 2010?
MN: “Personally I hope the 350 never comes but if it does I will have to adapt. But I hope I don’t need to, the 450 is much better. I’m not the biggest guy in the world but I don’t have any problem with the 450. There are some other riders - Barragan for example - who never ride anything but wide open, into the turn, clutch, full throttle. The bikes are getting ever more powerful and you cannot ride like that, you are right out of your depth.
“What is needed is a smooth riding style like Stefan, then you get the best from a 450. The throttle works both ways and you have to adapt when you step up from MX2. Some riders don’t want to, or can’t, do that. You can’t throw a 450 around like a 250, it is too strong and will spit you off but when you learn to ride a 450 properly there is no more wonderful feeling in the world. The rider is the deciding factor in MX1 and we are supposed to be racing for the riders’ world championship, aren’t we?”
DBR: Is there a revival of the sport in Germany?
MN: “Yeah. I’m a factory rider now, we always knew that Markus Schiffer would be good and I’m keeping my fingers crossed for Kenny Roczen. He needs three or four years yet but then he can be right at the front in MX2 and we will have three world class riders again. And I intend to make sure Max Nagl’s performance gets better and better!”