German Max Nagl is being linked with a ride on factory 450 TMs after being dropped by the Husqvarna team. The former KTM and Honda factory rider hurt his hand at the Motocross of Nations and retired from the qualifying moto, at the end of a season that he failed to live up to his real potential. There is no place for him in the Rockstar Husky squad for 2018 who will stick with Max Anstie and Gautier Paulin but draft in EMX star Mikkel Harrup.

It’s believed the Belgian-based German is in talks with TM about running a new factory team from an all-new workshop facility Nagl has had built at Lommel in Belgium.

Nagl may not be the only rider going it alone in 2018 as former world MX2 champ Jordi Tixier is looking to set up his own private KTM team in the world championship, helped by the French KTM importer.