Rockstar Husqvarna IceOne’s Max Nagl is finally building up to full speed in the 2016 FIM Motocross World Championship after what the German described as a “big step” made in the setting of the brand new FC450 works machine.
Nagl grabbed Pole Position and his first podium finish of the season with second overall at the Grand Prix of Europe for round three of 18 in the series.
Twelve months ago Nagl was in the midst of a period that delivered three wins in the first four rounds of the 2015 campaign as he immediately gelled with the ’15 FC. The 28-year-old held off testing on the newer model during the middle of last summer such was his feeling with the older motorcycle.
Now Nagl has reached a point with the current bike where his level of competitiveness is again at a high after going 12-6-DNF-3 in the outings before Valkenswaard.
“I’m happy for myself and the team but somehow we gave the win away because something went wrong at the start,” Nagl said. “We still need to analyse why. I was down in 15th and came up to fourth – which was okay – but with a good start I would have fought for the win today. Anyway this is already a big step from how we started the season.”
“The first Grands Prix always bring information that allow us to improve further,” commented Team Manager Antti Pyrhonen. “The speed is higher in GPs than any pre-season race and also the track develop differently. The ultimate test is always the first GPs when the gate drops and with that information we keep working forward every week.”
