Max Nagl ends his career with numerous records

After 23 years of motocross at the very highest level, Max Nagl is literally hanging up his helmet. In 2009, he was runner-up in the MX1 class World Championship, and in 2016 he once again finished third in the MXGP World Championship. A special moment followed in 2015 at the Talkessel: Nagl lined up at the German Grand Prix as World Championship leader wearing the Red Plate. To this day, he remains the only German rider to have worn the Red Plate in the MXGP class. At the same time, Nagl remains the only Husqvarna rider to have held the championship lead in the MXGP class.

The 2026 season began for Max Nagl with a hat-trick of wins in Grevenbroich and a race win in Dreetz. Drama struck during the Saturday race of the third round of the championship: Whilst leading, Nagl collided with a rider who had crashed and been lapped, hit the ground hard and fractured his T4 vertebra. He had hoped to be fit again for the rest of the season, but during training he sustained a complex knee injury that had irreversible consequences. At that point, it was already becoming clear that he would be unable to continue his motocross career. Now, the 39-year-old has taken the decision to end his motocross career.

Statement from Max Nagl

“I’m not ending my career on a low note, but on a high one,” he explained on social media. “I’ve thought long and hard about it, of course, but I feel good about it. I’ve been thinking about it for the last two or three years. There are several reasons for my decision. One reason is certainly the physical aspect. I’ve had many injuries throughout my career. In Tensfeld at the ADAC MX Masters in particular, I had a violent crash which resulted in several serious injuries. After that, the knee injury came on top of it. My knee has suffered so many injuries that it can no longer be fully repaired, and competing with a knee that’s only 80 per cent fit just doesn’t make sense to me.”

All or nothing

“My attitude has always been that I either give it 100 per cent or I don’t do it at all. Nevertheless, I’m absolutely happy with how my career has gone. It all started in 2003 with my first MX2 races on a KTM. I was with KTM for 10 years and we were World Championship runners-up during that time. Then I had two really good years with Honda as well. With Husqvarna, we finished fifth and third in the World Championship.”

Historic MXoN victory in 2012

The German team’s victory at the 2012 Motocross of Nations in Lommel remains unrivalled to this day. In 2012, he was named ADAC Motorsport Personality of the Year alongside Ken Roczen and Marcus Schiffer.

“My absolute highlight was the victory at the 2012 Motocross of Nations. I was five years old when my dad bought me my first PW50, and ever since then I’ve loved off-road riding on two wheels. Now it’s time to try new things. I’m now competing in car racing. I’ll definitely be staying in the motocross paddock, though. I’ve spent my whole life there and gained so much experience, which I’d love to pass on to younger riders.”

Thanks to fans and sponsors

Finally, Max Nagl expressed his gratitude to the fans who have remained loyal to him over the decades. He also shares a long and friendly working relationship with his supporters and sponsors.

On behalf of all readers of SPEEDWEEK.com, we would like to say thank you for the unforgettable moments, the great successes and the many emotions of an extraordinary career.

Max Nagl’s career at a glance