Mission: title defence in a new team and on a new bike. Smooth switch to Honda. Strong opposition keeps him motivated.
Back in October of last year, 14 years after his last title, Max Nagl was crowned ADAC MX Masters champion for the third time, repeating the feat he achieved in 2006 and 2008. He had previously also won the ADAC MX Junior Cup on an 85cc bike in 2001. The 35-year-old has proven that he is far from over the hill. Following his title win, he surprised many by switching team and manufacturer. In an interview, the champion reveals how the change came about, how he remains motivated after such a long career, and whether he feels that tension is guaranteed with fellow title contender Jordi Tixier also lining up for KMP Honda Racing Team powered by Krettek.
New team, new bike. That came as quite a surprise to many. Tell us how the change came about.
Max Nagl: “I have been in touch with Alex Karg from the KMP Honda Racing Team for a long time, since I stood under the tent with him at ADAC MX Masters races as a Honda works rider. Many years ago, I joked with Alex that I would at some point ride for him in a Masters season. I have now spent so many years riding KTM and Husqvarna bikes. The package I had most recently, with the Krettek-Haas-Racing-Team and the Husqvarna, was perfect. There is absolutely nothing to complain about there. But it was always the same. At some point, you simply need new challenges. My intention with the switch was not to get something better than what I had, but simply to have something different – something, with which I can start from scratch with tests, new motivation and new work. They were actually the main reasons behind my decision.”
You also appeared happy with the Krettek-Haas-Racing-Team. So, there were no issues?
“No. We are still in regular contact with each other. The original idea was that I would start the Czech races for them again. However, that is a big effort logistically and involved a lot of travelling. Apart from that, everything was great.”
They say you should quit while you’re ahead. Can we assume that you still feel you have room for improvement, or will 2023 be your farewell year?
“How long can I keep doing all this? To be honest, I cannot really say. Since last year, I have been deciding that from one year to the next. I am also only signing one-year contracts, so that I am always free at the end of the year and can make my decisions then.”
2023 is not going to be an easy year, with you, Jordi Tixier, Henry Jacobi, Tom Koch, Adam Sterry, Stefan Ekerold and Lars von Berkel, to name but a few. How are you preparing for the new season?
“That is true. The ADAC MX Masters is getting better and stronger all the time – and so is the opposition, of course. I must really work my butt off in the winter, to ensure that I remain competitive. But that’s okay – it is part and parcel of what we do, and the way I approach things anyway.”
Tixier and you have won the title for the past three years, and now you are both under the KMP tent together. Is there not bound to be tension, if you are both challenging for the title?
“That depends how he takes it. It is not a problem for me, I am used to this kind of situation. I finished runner-up in the world championship in 2009, the year in which Tony Cairoli was world champion. KTM then made him my team-mate in 2010. That was a similar situation. I learned a lot back then about how to deal with the situation, so it is not a major issue for me. You have to ride against everyone anyway – whether they are now on your team or riding elsewhere does not really matter. I imagine it will be more stressful for the team principal to organise everything.”
After so many years as a top rider, what motivates you to keep riding?
“To be quite honest, it is not easy! There are many days when I am not motivated. However, you then need to have the character to keep going, even when you don’t particularly want to. Everyone has days like that in their job, it is perfectly normal. At some point, however, those days come increasingly often, because you are getting older, have been doing the sport for so long, and there are always so many new things and challenges. I try to use the training routines to keep it interesting. For example, I do a lot of recreational sport. When it comes to riding the bike, I also try to avoid always practicing the same thing every day. I try to introduce variety, in order to keep everything working.“
Have you ever considered hanging up your helmet?
“No, not yet. It always depends on how I feel. In terms of stamina, strength, my powers of recovery and, of course, how the races go. Winning is still what drives me. Somewhere down the line, when things are definitely no longer working out, because I simply cannot do it anymore, I don’t have the speed, or my body is no longer capable, then that will be the point when I have to call it a day.”
How did the move to Honda work out, and did your experience as a Honda factory rider help?
“The switch went pretty smoothly and even back then I really liked the aluminium frame on the Honda. I just enjoyed riding it, because it was so rigid. However, the engine was a negative at the time. When Alex gave me the first bikes this time, that problem had been solved and the engine was also very good. To be honest, I was surprised by how good the bikes were. Because I liked the frame anyway, it was all positive relatively quickly.”
As a German rider, do you find it different racing in your home country, compared to starting in international races?
“Yes, it is always different, but it is the same for most riders, probably because of the extra boost of motivation you have. You feel ‘at home’. There are a lot of people there who you know, who you can chat to, and you just feel comfortable. And when a rider feels comfortable, he performs better too.”
You have lived in Belgium for a long time now. Do you now feel more like a Belgian, or are you still German?
“Sure, I have now spent most of my time living there, but you never lose touch with your roots. Maybe I will return to Germany some time, who knows what lies ahead. As long as I am still involved in the sport, I will definitely stay where I am, because there is no better place for it.”
What is your favourite track on the ADAC MX Masters calendar, and why?
“This year there is a new addition, in Denmark. I am looking forward to that, as I know all the other tracks like the back of my hand. A new track is always a cool motivation. Otherwise, I like anything sandy. I obviously like Fürstlich Drehna and Tensfeld, because I am now right at home on sand. However, I have to say that Bielstein has the coolest layout. It is really old-school the way you come downhill, there are many different sections, including banked corners, and it is technically really demanding.”
Randers in Denmark is new for everyone. Will that shake things up?
“Most riders can adapt quickly to the track. However, there may obviously be a few fast local riders there, who would not otherwise be racing in the ADAC MX Masters. There are a lot of fast Danes and Swedes. Maybe some of them will come to Randers and shake things up.”
What does it take to be ADAC MX Masters champion?
“The cooperation with the team is very important, you have to trust one another. The bike obviously has to be good and reliable. You have to pick up points all the time and not have any DNFs. Those are the main ingredients. Those things are out of my hands. What I can control is things like fitness, ensuring I am well prepared, fit and organised on the race weekend. I have to take care of that.”
Do you have any final words before the 2023 season gets underway?
“I am obviously looking forward to the season. The ADAC MX Masters is always really well attended, always has big crowds, and the series is very, very well organised by the ADAC. That is why I am looking forward to it. Let’s see how it turns out in the end.”
