Max
Kanter

After several successes with the Development program, including winning the German U23 road race in back-to-back seasons, 2019 saw Max make the step up to the WorldTour. However, after competing at the Tour Down Under injury saw him miss a lot of racing before returning to the bunch in the second half of the year.

“I learned a lot from my first year in the elite peloton. You have ups and downs, and you’re able to accept them but you should not just take it and instead focus on coming back and being better again. Missing a lot of my first year makes me even more motivated than I already was to show myself in the WorldTour.”

Part of what he calls the “first generation” of the Development program, Max enjoys riding with several of his former teammates again as they made the move up to WorldTour too last year.

Enthusiastic and eager to learn, Max appreciates how well the team works together and enjoys that aspect of the sport, especially when he is the designated sprinter.

“Cycling is a team sport and everyone has to work for one goal. Without the team you would be nothing as a sprinter so going and getting a good result is a way to give something back to the team; it is a shame only one rider can go onto the podium at the end of a stage. If you have a good relationship with your teammates and celebrate a nice win with them, then it is a great feeling.”

Max attributes his love for the sport to his grandfather and uncle who both raced at an amateur level and they were the two people that influenced him to start riding. Down to earth, the young German is considerate of all the help he has received from them and his family to get to where he is at now, and that only motivates him to strive for more success in his career.

No doubt you will be able to spot Max’s infectious smile at numerous races in 2021.

“My grandfather always said to me the most important thing is to have fun and that is what I am doing.”