New journal contributor Max Cushway, based in Brittany, France, began racing at 6. He's now thriving as an elite rider and aims for a spot on a Conti team in 2024.
After revealing Lucy Gadd as our first new journal contributor of 2024, we’re pleased to onboard Max Cushway as our second new arrival.
Hailing from the picturesque south of Brittany, Max is supported by the Rayner Foundation in 2024. The 19-year-old turned heads last season with second place at the under-23 Chrono des Nations, race also ridden by fellow journal contributor Mattie Dodd.
Max began cycle racing at the tender age of six, when he eagerly pedaled his second-hand Decathlon bike to the local cycling club alongside his older brother. With school not quite capturing his enthusiasm, cycling swiftly emerged as his after-school obsession.
Identifying as a rouleur with a penchant for attacking, Max embraces the challenges of the road, relishing time trials and sharpening his skills in hill climbing and descending. Currently donning the colors of Morbihan Adris GOA for his second year as an elite rider, he thrives within the close-knit team environment, benefitting from a diverse roster and top-notch equipment.
Looking ahead to the 2024 season, Max anticipates a calendar brimming with opportunities for growth and achievement. With aspirations to secure a spot on a Conti team by the season’s end, Max remains grounded yet ambitious, fuelled by a desire to showcase his capabilities while savouring every moment of the journey.
Image: c.a photographies
Max, tell us a bit about where you are based and your journey into cycle racing.
I live in the South of Brittany, France, near Vannes, and we moved here when I was six years old. I was still six when I got one of those second-hand Decathlon bikes and went along to the local cycling club with my older brother.
When I wrote down “cyclist” on the career forms at school, I was told that I’d need a “proper” job so I wrote down “cyclist and barber” instead and went on to qualify in hairdressing
I didn’t particularly enjoy school and cycling quickly became my after school passion. I went through the École de Vélo structure, staying in the same team throughout, with my junior years jointly in the AG2R Citroën U19 team. When I wrote down “cyclist” on the career forms at school, I was told that I’d need a “proper” job so I wrote down “cyclist and barber” instead and went on to qualify in hairdressing.
How would you sum up the cycling culture in your part of the world.
I think many people regard Brittany as the capital of cycling in France. It was the reason we moved here. Dad got knocked off his bike in the summer of 2009 (he and the bike were OK) and he told my mum he wanted us to move somewhere where we could all cycle safely. The cycling scene here continues to evolve rapidly and whereas my bike at 11 years old just about had carbon forks, the road bikes of my twin sisters, who are 11, are fully carbon. With women cycling there’s been a big boom; there were few girls in cycling when I first joined the Ecole de Vélo but now there’s a much bigger intake.
The French totally embrace the sport – when they put on a cycling event, roads are closed, locals come out to marshal and the town puts on a fête. There’s a strong junior presence in Brittany and there’s four N1 Elite teams in the region which are arguably at the top end of the amateur level in France.
Brittany has undoubtedly secured its importance in French cycling with the recent construction of a 185,000e indoor velodrome complex in Loudéac (40 minutes away from me.) This is infact the new home of my younger brother, Rafe, 16, who is at the Pôle Espoir (cycling academy) there.
Image: c.a photographies
What kind of rider are you?
Whilst I’m becoming more of an all-rounder, I think I’d consider myself a rouleur who likes attacking. I love TTs although there’s not many at elite level here in France. I’m working on the hills (not my favourite but making progress!) and I’ve recently got quite good at descending.
Tell us who you are riding for this season and what kind of set-up the team has.
I’m riding as a second year elite for Morbihan Adris GOA who I was with last year and unsurprisingly, we ride on Adris bikes. Last year we finished best N1 team classified by the FFC (French Federation of Cycling).
We’ve got our “service course” (HQ) in Locminé which is just 20 mins from my home. For the number crunchers out there…..there’s 12 in the team (and three reserves) which is made up of two British riders, one Belgian, one Polish guy and the rest French. I get given two road bikes and a TT bike.
What are your racing plans this season? What would a successful 2024 look like for you?
The calendar is packed and whilst I can’t say too much about exactly where I’m going to be racing at the moment, it’s hopefully going to feature some ITTs and it looks really exciting. Last year I grew enormously in confidence on the bike and learnt alot from my more experienced team-mates. I really got a kick out of being a strong rouleur to launch the leaders in the big races. I’ll enjoy doing more of that this year as well as having the opportunity to show what I’m capable of.
To be honest, for 2024 to be successful for me, it really means me moving up to the next step at the end of the year
To be honest, for 2024 to be successful for me, it really means me moving up to the next step at the end of the year, e.g., a Conti team. That means getting some good results. Whilst I don’t want to put too much pressure on myself, I believe it’s possible and if it doesn’t happen, it won’t be from lack of trying! But I also want to enjoy the year, continue to develop and see what happens.
After revealing Lucy Gadd as our first new journal contributor of 2024, we’re pleased to onboard Max Cushway as our second new arrival.
Hailing from the picturesque south of Brittany, Max is supported by the Rayner Foundation in 2024. The 19-year-old turned heads last season with second place at the under-23 Chrono des Nations, race also ridden by fellow journal contributor Mattie Dodd.
Max began cycle racing at the tender age of six, when he eagerly pedaled his second-hand Decathlon bike to the local cycling club alongside his older brother. With school not quite capturing his enthusiasm, cycling swiftly emerged as his after-school obsession.
Identifying as a rouleur with a penchant for attacking, Max embraces the challenges of the road, relishing time trials and sharpening his skills in hill climbing and descending. Currently donning the colors of Morbihan Adris GOA for his second year as an elite rider, he thrives within the close-knit team environment, benefitting from a diverse roster and top-notch equipment.
Looking ahead to the 2024 season, Max anticipates a calendar brimming with opportunities for growth and achievement. With aspirations to secure a spot on a Conti team by the season’s end, Max remains grounded yet ambitious, fuelled by a desire to showcase his capabilities while savouring every moment of the journey.
Max, tell us a bit about where you are based and your journey into cycle racing.
I live in the South of Brittany, France, near Vannes, and we moved here when I was six years old. I was still six when I got one of those second-hand Decathlon bikes and went along to the local cycling club with my older brother.
I didn’t particularly enjoy school and cycling quickly became my after school passion. I went through the École de Vélo structure, staying in the same team throughout, with my junior years jointly in the AG2R Citroën U19 team. When I wrote down “cyclist” on the career forms at school, I was told that I’d need a “proper” job so I wrote down “cyclist and barber” instead and went on to qualify in hairdressing.
How would you sum up the cycling culture in your part of the world.
I think many people regard Brittany as the capital of cycling in France. It was the reason we moved here. Dad got knocked off his bike in the summer of 2009 (he and the bike were OK) and he told my mum he wanted us to move somewhere where we could all cycle safely. The cycling scene here continues to evolve rapidly and whereas my bike at 11 years old just about had carbon forks, the road bikes of my twin sisters, who are 11, are fully carbon. With women cycling there’s been a big boom; there were few girls in cycling when I first joined the Ecole de Vélo but now there’s a much bigger intake.
The French totally embrace the sport – when they put on a cycling event, roads are closed, locals come out to marshal and the town puts on a fête. There’s a strong junior presence in Brittany and there’s four N1 Elite teams in the region which are arguably at the top end of the amateur level in France.
Brittany has undoubtedly secured its importance in French cycling with the recent construction of a 185,000e indoor velodrome complex in Loudéac (40 minutes away from me.) This is infact the new home of my younger brother, Rafe, 16, who is at the Pôle Espoir (cycling academy) there.
What kind of rider are you?
Whilst I’m becoming more of an all-rounder, I think I’d consider myself a rouleur who likes attacking. I love TTs although there’s not many at elite level here in France. I’m working on the hills (not my favourite but making progress!) and I’ve recently got quite good at descending.
Tell us who you are riding for this season and what kind of set-up the team has.
I’m riding as a second year elite for Morbihan Adris GOA who I was with last year and unsurprisingly, we ride on Adris bikes. Last year we finished best N1 team classified by the FFC (French Federation of Cycling).
We’ve got our “service course” (HQ) in Locminé which is just 20 mins from my home. For the number crunchers out there…..there’s 12 in the team (and three reserves) which is made up of two British riders, one Belgian, one Polish guy and the rest French. I get given two road bikes and a TT bike.
What are your racing plans this season? What would a successful 2024 look like for you?
The calendar is packed and whilst I can’t say too much about exactly where I’m going to be racing at the moment, it’s hopefully going to feature some ITTs and it looks really exciting. Last year I grew enormously in confidence on the bike and learnt alot from my more experienced team-mates. I really got a kick out of being a strong rouleur to launch the leaders in the big races. I’ll enjoy doing more of that this year as well as having the opportunity to show what I’m capable of.
To be honest, for 2024 to be successful for me, it really means me moving up to the next step at the end of the year, e.g., a Conti team. That means getting some good results. Whilst I don’t want to put too much pressure on myself, I believe it’s possible and if it doesn’t happen, it won’t be from lack of trying! But I also want to enjoy the year, continue to develop and see what happens.
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