Having battled back from a mid-season injury to finish fourth in the FIM Motocross World Championship, Max Nagl spoke to redbull.com about his choice of bike, plans for the off-season and his hopes for the Motocross of Nations...
Max, what was your best moment of the season?
The first GP in Bulgaria when I got the red plate for the first time.
What was your worst moment?
In France when I had a big crash in the qualifying race and broke my collar bone.
'The first thing I do on a Sunday night is eat, a lot'
What were your overall impressions of the season?
The beginning went really well until I broke my collar bone then I was a little bit unlucky in America when I got stuck in a green fence and didn’t score. The rest of the season was ok, I’m a little bit disappointed with fourth place because I should have got third. In the end I was only three points off but that’s the sport.
What are your plans for the off-season?
I still have two more races – one in Germany and then the [Motocross of] Nations. Then I will start testing the new 350cc [bike] to see if it’s good enough for next year and then I will go on holiday.
If you were a fan here in Fermo, who would you have been cheering for?
I would have to say Josh Coppins because it was his last race. He did a really good job in the second heat, and for a moment was in second position. So, as it was his last race I think I would cheer for him.
This year you’ve still been on the 450cc bike. Have you been happy with it or would you prefer the newer one?
I was really happy on the 450cc because I like a big bike but there were definitely some moments when the 350cc was better, some when the 450 was better. So, overall I’m not sure if next year I will be focused on the 350, with a good set-up. Before I go on holiday I need to make the decision on what I’m going to do next season – go 350 or stay 450.
How do you relax after a hard day’s riding?
The first thing I do on a Sunday night is eat, a lot! Because I’m always really hungry and then Monday’s a rest day, I sleep a lot and then do a bit of cycling to recover. When the season’s just finished we go on holiday and for the first two weeks I just sleep almost all day. Eat and sleep, sleep and eat that’s all I do because you get so tired after a year like this and the body needs to rest.
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During the race weekend do you get much chance to relax?
I try to relax after the first heat. I try to go to the Red Bull Station, and in the middle where they give massages I try to sleep a little bit, maybe 20 minutes or so to lower the pulse and refresh before the second heat.
Who is your ultimate sporting hero?
Michael Schumacher, of course. He’s having a difficult season but I think it’s all in plan as he’s got a long contract with Mercedes and they’ll improve for next year.
If you were at an ATM and it gave you €10,000 instead of €10 would you give it back or would you keep it?
Oh, that’s difficult. [Laughs] I think you should take it back but I would go to the bank and tell them about the fault because something like this happened to me in Brazil this year. I changed some money and they gave me too much money, and I gave it back.
'Germany can be on the podium this year because we have a strong team but you need a lot of luck to win the Nations'
What is on your iPod at the moment?
I like AC/DC and Offspring but when I’m in the car I like house music.
Where will you be in 10 years’ time?
That’s a difficult question but I think I’ll be back in Germany because at the moment I live in Belgium. At the end of my career I’ll go back, and then my plan was to build a school to teach kids to ride motorbikes and help them make it. I’ve done it before and I like working with the kids, so it’s something I might do.
What are your expectations for the Motocross of Nations?
If we can match last year’s result that would be great but I think Germany can be on the podium this year because we have a strong team but we’ll see, you need a lot of luck to win the Nations.
Check out what happened in Fermo here, or for more two-wheeled action click here.
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