Honda World Motocross rider Max Nagl put on a fighting performance, despite some bad luck, to take fifth overall at the spectacular track in Maggiora, Italy for round nine of the 2013 MX1 World Championship.
In the opening moto of the day, in front of a bumper crowd, it was Evgeny Bobryshev who got the best start of the Honda duo, but fell on the first lap. Nagl had a poor jump from the gate, and was almost last, but made some sensible moves in the second turn to pass around 10 riders.
Nagl fought hard through to sixth position in the intense heat, with good lap times around the hardpack, natural track and was relatively pleased with his riding. Russian racer Bobryshev battled his way back to 15th position by the end of the 35-minute plus two-lap moto from dead last aboard his factory CRF450R.
In the second race both Nagl and Bobryshev got away with the front group, settling into sixth and eighth positions. Nagl managed to get into fifth place, but had some issues with his front wheel jamming on (caused by a stone), which meant controlling the bike in the air was incredibly difficult. The issue with the wheel caused Nagl to crash on lap seven, but with a hard fight the Honda pilot came back to sixth by the chequered flag for fifth overall. Bobryshev crashed out of seventh and came back from outside the top 15 to 12th place for 12th overall.
“In the first race I had a terrible start and was almost last, but I had a really good line in the second turn where I passed around 10 riders,” said Nagl.
“The lap times were good and consistent, so I was happy, and I passed a few guys until I got to sixth. For the second heat we changed some small things on the bike and I got a good start with the first five guys. Unfortunately from the second lap onwards I had a problem with the front wheel, which was jamming. I got going again, and I was trying to jump far on the big jumps to make the stone come out, but it was still there on the last lap.
“I had to concentrate on the front wheel all race not to crash, and I finished eighth, which is not the result I want, but I think in the situation it’s the best I could do. Now we are going home and then we have a German race, which is the biggest one in the series, and it will be a nice event on a good track.
“Then we have some testing to do in the sand ready for the next few Grands Prix events with Showa in Belgium, so we can tweak the set-up and be well-prepared.”
Bobryshev said: “I was pumped after the day yesterday, as I had a good speed and was feeling comfortable, which was also the same this morning. But when the race came, I was just fighting all day. “I crashed twice in the first race, and was losing the front so many times, so I had to come from the back fighting, which is really hard in these conditions. In the second race I had a good start; I was eighth and close to the front of the pack. I had a little crash in a rut, and after that I was completely finished.
Bobryshev added: “I found it so difficult to find the lines, the rhythm and I was fighting at the back. I am happy that my foot is improving, and I want to say thanks to the team, Dunlop, and the sponsors for everything, as we all work together. I couldn’t do well, even though I was doing my best like always. I was really looking forward to this race, and this track, but now I just hope my leg is okay after the weekend and I can do some proper training, as this is what I’ve missed.”
Honda World Motocross Team Manager, Lorenzo Resta commented: “It was a difficult weekend. We are going home without what we came for, and without the good results we want. Our riders have shown all weekend that they have good potential and really good speed, but for some reason we haven’t achieved the final result. Now we have to analyse everything, because this is not our level, so we must find the areas to work on and come back with improvements at the next race.”
