One year ago Max Nagl and the works Husqvarna team were celebrating their first MXGP victory at the 2015 Grand Prix of Qatar. Last weekend the German rode to 10th overall with a speedy and encouraging showing to sixth in the second moto.
With no discernible fitness issues that affected the likes of Romain Febvre and Tony Cairoli how did the 28 year old feel about the variation in results? “The biggest problem for me were the starts which were a bit disappointing,” he reveals. “It didn’t happen in pre-season or training and we didn’t change anything for here. Also the track was very one-line and everyone held the inside. I wasn’t riding well in the first moto and that was my problem. The second moto was better and I had really good lap-times.”
Asked for further analysis on the Losail layout – with many riders commenting on the harder and faster nature of the terrain and the mix between hard-pack and rough holes Nagl said: “Last year the track was better – better for me for sure – it had been ripped and watered and now it was hard and flat. I think that was the biggest difference [in his result]”
Nagl had been using the 2015 FC450 last year and insists that the ’16 model is also on-point for his wishes; the customary low setting of the bike a key ingredient in his preferences. “I feel good on the bike and I really like it. We don’t have any more tests planned,” he asserted.
