This season has had its highs and lows for Team HRC’s Max Nagl, with the last two rounds before the break particularly tough. We take two minutes to catch up with the #12 star.
Are you pleased there is a break to recover from the last two rounds?
“Yes I’m ready to take a break now because normally we don’t have it in our sport, like a summer break, and this year’s the first time. I think everyone from the riders likes it to have a bit of time off now to relax a bit from all the travelling and the hard work.
I went to see the specialists after Lommel as I was really worried about myself that weekend, but fortunately they didn’t find anything but just told me I’d been training too much since Finland. I spent two days in the hospital the week after Lommel, and since then have just been resting. This week I start training again, but not pushing myself so hard as before.”
Most riders have plans to compete before heading to Brazil, do you?
“I have two races, Baelen, Belgium, (15th August) which is like five minutes from my home and then Gaildorf (24th August) for the German championship. We have to go there because there’s the presentation of the German Nations team, so I say if I have to go there anyway I can also race. Then for the rest I will do training, of course, but then also some resting”.
Are you thinking about a holiday?
“End of season, after the Nations, we plan to go away somewhere for one week, but in August there’s not the time to go somewhere”.
With a baby on the way, you must be preparing already?
“It’s something nice in the life and it changes my life for sure, and for Sabrina, but we are excited. We are really happy about it. Actually, we can’t wait for it! We’ve already bought the room and the buggy, clothing and actually we have much stuff already. When I’m out for Brazil and Mexico, maybe they will start fixing the room. It was not really planned, but it arrives just perfect timing when the season is over. That’s perfect; when the baby arrives I’m still home”.
How are you preparing for the last two races on the calendar (Brazil and Mexico)?
“For me they’re both new as I didn’t get to race them last year. I’m going to watch on YouTube the races from last year to see what the track looks like, and then if I’m there I just have to walk the track. There’s not much you can do in advance to learn”.
Albie Wilkie was crowned Honda 150 European Champion which secures him a ride with the Honda Jtech team in the 2015 European MX250 category. How helpful do you think this will be for him?
“It’s a big chance for him because it’s difficult to grow or to come into the GP series or the teams because of the payments, and if he has the chance to get it for free, and get good support from Honda, that’s the best situation. He needs to take the chance and get the best out of it”.