Feature Q&A: Max Cushway (2nd U23 Chrono des Nations TT)

Despite being only his second time trial in 2023, Britain’s French based rider Max Cushway racing for Morbihan Fybolia GOA was second in the Under 23 Chrono des Nations Time Trial – here’s a Q&A with Max

Feature Q&A: Max Cushway (2nd U23 Chrono des Nations TT)
(thank you to Max for filling in the Q&A) | Photos: c.a_photographies/Amelco Gohin

Photo: c.a_photographies/Amelco Gohin – Max left of the podium at the Chrono des Nations

1. So Max, was finishing second in such a prestigious time trial better than you expected or is it more disappointment not to win?
MAX: A bit of both. The Chrono des Nations was one of my main goals of the season so I prepared for it as best as I could, down to the finest detail. I went off second so had no idea of the time gaps but that didn’t change the way I attacked the race. When I finished, I started cycling back to the team car but an official told me to stay put because he said the time would not easily be beaten. I went into the TT racing against myself, pushing myself to the limits, so a podium was a great achievement. That said, when I started seeing pro riders (and those about to turn pro) coming in slower, it was all a bit surreal and for a moment I felt disappointed I hadn’t won.

2. Was the course the same as the professionals rode?
MAX: No, the Under 23 race wasn’t the same – it started by following the same route but the pros did a bigger loop before coming back to join our circuit for the last 8k. The U23s rode 27.2k and the pros had 45k.

3. Describe the course – ie, was it flat or hilly, twisty of mainly straight roads where you could get the power down?
MAX: On the whole, an up and down circuit with some twisty corners thrown in during the town sections. I took a few risks at these points, and a small bump threw my chain off but I pulled it back on, aligning it on the right teeth. To be fair, I probably only lost a handful of seconds although my coach was saying in my earpiece to use the adrenalin to make up the lost time.

Photo: c.a_photographies/Amelco Gohin

4. What type of TT bike did you ride and was it your choice of bike or one supplied by your team?
MAX: Hmm – tricky question ! Due to the general shortage of bikes this year, my team didn’t receive all of the TT bikes and mine was extra complicated due to needing the biggest size. So, in July, my parents helped me buy a TT bike from the UK when they were over there for my brother’s national track champs in Wales. Again, tricky to find many large ones up for sale but a good friend of the family, Mike Anderson, got hold of Bryce Dyer who was selling his TT bike. Bryce is as obsessed as me on details, aero positions etc and so after a lot of messaging with him, he helped me get sorted. When the bike arrived back here in France, it was like Christmas Day for me although I then spent six weeks fiddling around with the bike including changing round the brake system from UK to French.

5. Do you race many time trials there?
MAX: No ! I wish I could have this year, but the Chrono des Nations was my second one of the year. Back in April I did the Circuit du Mené and finished 14th out of 142 but was riding a Junior’s bike, too small, given to me the night before!

6. Did you have to do any special time trial work as racing a time trial bike in the TT position can take time to get right in order to maximise the power output?
MAX: I made sure I upped my stretching leading up to the TT and went out almost every ride on the TT bike in the weeks leading up to it. Each time I came back and changed something, fiddled with something on the bike. In the end the bike was on a permanent stand in the lounge so I could mess around with it !

Photo: c.a_photographies/Amelco Gohin

7. Is that your final race of the season?
MAX: Yes the Chrono was my last race as an Espoir 1. I’m writing this from the Pyrenees in a town called Bagnères-de-Bigorre as I’m on my break now. I’ve come away with my family without my bike which feels a bit strange as my sisters, brother and dad have just headed off to do the Col d’Aspin ! I’ve got my hiking boots though, and the dog is here …. I can’t sit still for too long !

8. Has the season gone to plan and what have been the highlights?
MAX: . The hardest bit of the season was definitely July and August – I felt dead, just tired all the time and struggled to finish a couple of races. I took myself off to the GP and blood tests quickly revealed a virus which was kind of good news as it explained a lot. Highlights have got to include the end of season, finishing with the Chrono des nations but also winning the Tour de Belle-Ile-en-Mer. And the other really good part was the team selecting me for the Tour of Brittany. It was seven stages, including that now viral clip where all the riders were sent down a muddy road and there was a pile up of 100 riders. My team joked about me being the “lantern rouge” but were really happy with the work I did for Pierre Thierry who was right up there in GC. Each day I had a specific task and and actually I got more coverage on this than anything as I was often at the front pushing things on so got lots of name checks.

9. What are looking forward to in 2024?
MAX: My team are about to announce their new sponsor and the 2024 team will have a change of riders as two are leaving for Arkéa. I’m hoping to do well in the TTs and be selected for the bigger races with the Conti teams. It’s here that pro teams can see what you’re capable of – how you work for the team and what you might be able to offer them. Til then I’ll try not to feel envious of my siblings going up the mountains this week – and I’m off to buy myself a suit to wear to the Rayner Foundation dinner next month!