To the Max!
By Infront Moto Racing on 15th Aug 15
Its not breaking news that Red Bull IceOne Husqvarna Factory Racings Max Nagl will return to the gate at the MXGP of Lombardia in Mantova, Italy, but there is yet to be an official announcement from the Husqvarna squad.Anyway, today the MXGP team were at the at Honda Park in Olmen, Belgium, and saw Max out on the track running a pretty sick pace, so during one of his rest periods they went over to have a chat.
Rumor is you will be back on the gate in Mantova, is it true?
Max: Yes, I will race in Mantova.
In your words, what happened at the MXGP of Germany?
Max: At the start of the qualifying race I slid with the rear wheel and got hit by Gautier (Paulin), and I crashed. I wasn't injured from the crash but then when I was on the ground David (Philippaerts) hit me and it broke my leg, but it's not his fault, he could not see because it was on like the second turn and you couldn't see much.
What went through your head at that moment?
Max: There is a strange feeling you have when you know the bone is broken. I knew it was broken immediately and I knew the season is finished. So I just got on the bike and rode to the truck, and that was it.
What was the official injury?
Max: I broke the Tibia all the way through and I had an operation right away. They put 2 screws to fix it, normally this bone is not an issue if you give it time to heal, but I went training as soon as I could because I had the red plate and I wanted to keep racing.
I saw you were back on the bike quite a while ago, yet you haven't raced anywhere. Why is that?
Max: Yeah, I started riding quite a while ago because the plan was to be back at Sweden and Latvia, but it was just before Sweden I went riding and it didn't go well at all so I went back to the doctor and they said there is a small hole in the bone and you will need to rest another 3 weeks. So I stopped riding and I couldn't train either and now I have just started riding again, on Tuesday this week.
How are you feeling going into Mantova?
Max: I like Mantova. It's a nice track. I don't feel 100%, I only started riding this week and I am struggling to do 20 – 25minutes, so it is going to be difficult but there is one point you have to start and we think that Mantova and Assen are good tracks to start again and hopefully we can finish the season strong in Mexico and America.
Normally you don't ride that often during the week, so what are you doing to prepare?
Max: Yeah normally if I am fit I will ride once in the week. The only thing I could do over the last few weeks was cycling but not too much because every time I went cycling my ankle would swell. If it's swollen it's not healing, so I had to find a compromise. So it was that and some gym training and now I can finally start riding. I cannot ride everyday because then it will not get better.
It will be good to have you back. Have you been following the championship, do you think Romain Febvre can pull it off?
Max: Yes, and yes he has a good gap now and he is riding consistent.
What do you think about a rookie winning the championship?
Max: Yeah it's a surprise. He is straight out of MX2 and is winning in MXGP. It's good for him!
