19-25 EXPERT — GREENVILLE, NEW YORK — RENNEN/INTENSE

Max takes his school work just as seriously as his racing which will serve him well long after his glory days of racing are over.

Nickname: Mad Max.

Sponsors: Rennen/Intense and Mom & Dad.

Describe your riding style. I’m not the smoothest kid out on the track. I ride off center and I keep my elbows out. So I guess I don’t have much style, but you can always tell that I’m trying to go fast.

What parts of riding come naturally and what do you have to work on? Taking corners really comes natural to me. I normally have to work on doing gates and staying smooth.

What is your proudest BMX moment so far in your career? As of now, my proudest moment in BMX was crossing the finish at the NBL Grands this year. Normally, I wouldn’t be too happy about losing to Tommy, but it’s a good feeling knowing I gave it everything I had.

Who are your riding buddies? This summer, I rode with Shawn DiPrete, George Costa, Austin Loebe, CJ Fisher, Doug Hayes, Davey, and Nick St. Lawrence. At home, I ride with Ross Wooding, Mike Caldwell, John Bohanski and Pat Marconi.

What do you do when you’re not riding? School takes up a lot of my time. I also enjoy reading and learning new things.

Do you ride anything besides the track? Nah, not really. When I ride trails, I have a bad case of “Racer’s Style.”

How do you usually train? When I’m training, I do sprints, squats, and bench press. Basically, the old AA workout.

Who are some people you look up to? In BMX, I look up to a ton of people. Some of those people are DiPrete, Dinger, Fields, Long, Loebe, Bennett, Stancil, Crain, Post, must I go on? In “life”, I look up to Einstein, Newton, Lance, and Mia Hamm.

Pick one: Gate 1 or gate 8? Why? I’d pick 8. I feel there is something to be said about winning from lane 8. If you can win from lane 8, you can win from anywhere. That’s not to say I don’t like getting gate 1.

Who’s your toughest competition? I have a few main rivals. Last season, my main competition was Tommy Zula. I never really changed my approach when I raced him. I just tried to focus on putting together the perfect lap. Back at home, my rival is Javery Hattat. When I race him I try not to get caught up in the drama. We’ve banged bars for years and tempers have often flared.

What are your plans for the future? I have some big plans for my future. I plan on graduating from Hudson Valley Community College with an Associate’s degree in the spring and transferring to RPI [Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute] in the fall for my undergrad. Then I’ll be off to get my Masters.

What was your worst race moment and how did you come back from it? I’ve had some pretty bad wrecks in BMX, but breaking my elbow at Shoreham BMX was pretty bad. I had a pretty long recovery, but I came back slowly and never really rushed the process.

What is your favorite piece of clothing? I have a bunch of favorite clothes. I wear a Livestrong band and I am constantly seen in a green Stile Industries tee, a Wheaties tee, and a yellow Livestrong tee.

Something about you nobody knows: I eat cereal every morning. I read anything you put in front of me and I love quotes. Oh yeah, I like to sleep before I race a main.

Three things you would need if you were stranded on an island? After food, shelter and water, I want my bike, a friend and the internet.

Is there anything specific you try to eat before or during the weekend of a race? I tend to eat chicken and pasta the night before races and cereal the morning of the race.

What would you do with a million dollars? First, I would pay off my college loans, fix up my Jeep, and pay a personal trainer. After that, who knows? Maybe a house, some new Profile cranks, and I’d put a lot in investments.

What advice would you give a Rookie just starting out in BMX? My advice for Rookies is to stay on flat pedals until you’re at least a Novice. I find clips make the sport too easy. When things are easy, they become boring. Also remember to have fun.

What is something you’ve done that you’d never want to do again? I try not to live life full of regrets, I just want to live life to the fullest.

What puts you in the mood to race? A quick nap after semis really helps me. Furthermore, I listen to a variety of music before races, but mostly: Until It Sleeps- Metallica, The Distance-Cake, Rage Against the Machine, Red Hot Chili Peppers. I guess it really depends on what feels right at the time.

What are your short-term and long-term goals in BMX? Short term, I’d like to make the main at the ABA Grands and finish in the top three at Christmas all weekend. Long term, I’d like to win the title this year, and maybe turn Pro if I do.

Anybody you would like to thank? I’d like to thank my parents, Donna and Bill, without whom I would never have gotten into BMX. My friends and family at home who understand when I miss birthday parties, graduation parties, or any other function because I’m out racing. My friends at the track, for keeping me interested in the sport when I’m going through a rough patch. I’d also like to thank my teammates on Rennen/Intense and London for giving me a shot way back when. Furthermore, I’d like to thank my sponsors, Rennen, Intense, ODI, THE, Kovachi Wheels, Black Crown, Power Bar, Thompson, Cane Creek, Morphine, and Fly. Lastly, I’d like to that Jess Moore with the NBL for the interview. I’m sure there are plenty more I’m missing.

FAVORITES

Track  Derby City, Evansville, Egg Harbor

Pro  Elite: Stumpy, and lately I’ve been rooting for Bubba Harris. Women: Brook Crain and Alise Post. Masters: Murray, Dinger, Albright. Super-Ex: Pope, Larev, Meyers

Music  Red Hot Chili Peppers, Metallica, Tim McGraw, Dierks Bentley, Johnny Cash, Blink 182, The Offspring, Cake, and Weezer.

Food  Life, Wheaties, Chicken Parm, Steak

Drink  Iced tea and sweet tea

School Subject  Math and Physics

Movie  Boondock Saints, Top Gun, & Rocky movies

TV Show  House, How It’s Made, Modern Marvels

Racing Memory  Racing with Timmy Zdimal at Cherie A. Lindsey BMX