Ahead of last weekend’s Red Bull Motocross of Nations we caught up with German rider Max Nagl for an exclusive chat. Find out what he thinks of being part of a team and why he won’t be rushing to move to the States...
How does it feel to be representing your country as part of a team in what is usually such an individual sport?
It’s always nice at the Nations because you are a team and usually motocross is a one-man sport not in a team. So, it makes it a lot of fun to represent Germany and if you have a good result it’s nice for the German people.
'If you fuck it up in a race then the other guys are put under more pressure to get a result'
How do you feel about your team this year?
Good – we are a strong team. I think the strongest for a long time because with Kenny [Roczen] and Marcus [Schiffer] we have good riders in all three classes who can get good points.
Does competing as part of a team give you added responsibility or is the pressure off to an extent?
No, it’s still on the rider because you don’t want to be the one who takes less points and that’s a bit of pressure because if you fuck it up in a race then the other guys are put under more pressure because they need to make a good result. So, it’s quite difficult.
Obviously, you’re coming off the back of a hard season, how hard is it for you to raise yourself for the Motocross of Nations?
It’s the last race for me [this season] so for sure you have the motivation to give all you have one more time. You maybe feel a little bit tired from the season, especially here with the humidity and the long trip but I think its fine.
Rich van Every/Red Bull Photofiles
What is special about the Motocross of Nations?
It’s special because it’s a team event, it’s not a one-man show, and you have America because normally we never race there it’s only for some Nations. So, that makes it special and also really fun for the riders.
How much interaction do you have with the rest of your team-mates?
That’s difficult. We talk about who picks the startgate because we have second place and 22 so we discuss this before the race – who’s going first in the gate and who’s going second. And then everybody goes out and does their own thing in the race because you try to do your best to get the best result.
Is there anyone in the team that you think you can learn from?
You always look at yourself and try to do your best and for sure sometimes you look as well as the first guys to see how they take a jump or make a turn to see some good lines but for the rest it’s your own job.
What are your expectations for Germany this year?
It’s difficult because last year we had our best result ever, fourth place so now we only have one more step and we are on the podium. So, that’s the goal for today. But with the Nations you need to have good riders as we do but you also need to have a lot of luck because all the three riders need to have good races – no DNF or crash – otherwise it’s already done. If one guy has a DNF then it’s done so you need luck in the Nations and I hope we have it.
America are on home soil, do you think that will give them an advantage?
I don’t think so because when they come to Europe they win as well, they are just so strong. It is possible but I think we can adjust and the conditions are the same for everybody.
Garth Milan/Red Bull Photofiles
What makes the USA so hard to beat?
Because they are so consistent they always have every year, three riders somewhere in the top 5 in the races and sometimes they get beat by the Italians or France but still they win because they have three riders at the front. The other teams usually have one or two at the front and the third one is nowhere. As I said before you have to have some luck and all three riders at the front.
How does the MXoN compare to a normal GP weekend?
There’s a little more stress because like we have in the first GP you have to have a photo session, press conference and autograph session and then another press conference and there are so many things to do because it is a one-off event. So, it’s quite stressful but then on Sunday it’s quite relaxing as we have almost the same schedule as in a GP.
If you could win either a world championship or the MXoN which would you prefer?
I think every rider would say the world title because it’s more for himself. This title is also great but it’s for the team and not for your own effort, so it makes it more difficult.
'I’ve seen a lot of German fans here already so that also makes me really happy'
Do the crowds in America differ to those in Europe?
Of course they are more crazy – they’re quite loud! It’s also nice that I’ve seen a lot of German fans here already so that also makes me really happy that we have a lot of German fans in the US. They have done the whole trip just to see us three riders and that gives you a lot of confidence for the race.
What have you enjoyed the most since being in America?
We haven’t been here too long but we went shopping. The shopping malls here are great they are impressive and really big. It’s a different country, I don’t like it too much as I don’t feel comfortable here – everybody’s too friendly and you don’t know whether it’s true. Maybe they say they like you but really they hate you! It’s not like in Europe. It’s a nice country to be here for one week but not longer.
Would you like to race here more often?
We don’t really have the chance because we are so busy with the GPs but maybe I would do one national like I did last year just to see how it goes but for the rest, no I’m not really pumped to come here.
Describe yourself in five words...
Consistent, honest, disciplined and respected.
Max Nagl was talking to Birgit Holzinger.
Max was speaking before appearing at the Red Bull Motocross of Nations, find out he and his German team got on here.
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