Riding bikes has been one thing that we could all do during lockdown and TSG MTB rider Max Fredriksson has been riding the storm to the max. Catch up with Max right here and look out for him at a track near you as we all get back to a new normal!
words by DANNY BURROW
JUNE 10, 2021
Riding bikes has been one thing that we could all do during lockdown and TSG MTB rider Max Fredriksson has been riding the storm to the max, from a 7th place at a crowdless Crankworx in Innsbruck and putting out an epic 2020 roundup edit to releasing his new S21 TSG MF1 Apparel line.
Catch up with Max right here and look out for him at a track near you as we all get back to a new normal! To the Max and back!
Max is super stoked about his new custom painted helmets.
Although we were all locked down, it looks like you took full advantage of being home. Can you tell us a bit about your experience over these weird times?
Yeah, I always try to bring some positives out of setbacks and I really tried to use the time at home as productively as I could. I’ve been riding after hours all winter long for training and now that spring has come around I’ve been building nonstop at my compound to make it perfect. The weather holds us back a bit but we’re doing our best to ride and have as much fun as possible!
How is the bike scene in Sweden? Are there a lot of kids sending it?
It is so cool to see the whole scene grow in Sweden and the kids are absolutely sending it. It feels like the numbers are growing all the time and I’ve noticed it way more ever since my YouTube channel started growing. They are so involved and stoked on riding, so everything evolves together!
Boys and toys – Always having a fun time!
We see you’ve also been busy building in the compound: How beneficially is this to your skill set? And is there a feature in there that you are particularly stoked on?
Almost all my “free time” goes into the compound and I love it, even though it’s heavy and painful sometimes haha! I like to change it up all the time, but this year we’ve rebuilt the whole small line to make it more creative. I love the little booner log we made!
Testing his new Cannondale bikes. Photos by Andreas Karlsson.
Also seems like you have spent your time getting buff: Can you tell us about your coaching regime and how it helps you?
I’ve been working out with a coach who is a bike rider himself and rides both dirt and freeride, so he really understands the way my body needs to perform and hold up. We’ve worked all winter on upping my max strength with heavy lifting. And also a lot of one minute high-intensity intervals to reach max pulse but still maintain quality in the repetitions. It’s the same as a slopestyle run with high pulse intervals and if your body doesn’t have the capacity to perform you’ll zone out and crash. That’s how I broke my arm in 2018. I zoned out and didn’t have the power to do a banger on the last jump.
You got to ride a few socially distanced contests like Audi Nines and the session in Are: How did these compare to contests in normal times?
It was actually sick! I’m there to ride bikes and perform. It takes away all the surrounding distractions which allows me to just focus on riding and making something great happen! I sure miss a huge crowd screaming your name while riding but as I said earlier I try to look at all angles positively.
In this video Max presents you the massive freeride line at Audi Nines:
You also scored a 7th place at Crankworx Austria: You must have been stoked with your riding?
Yes, I am! I know for a fact that I had more to give that day, but for me it was more about landing a run and being healthy than stepping up on the podium! The podium is still in my sights and Innsbruck was just a step in the right direction.
What happened in the finals? Watch it now:
You also have some pretty cool signature stuff out with TSG at the moment: Can you talk us through your MF1 Line?
TSG was my first ever pro sponsor
TSG was my first ever pro sponsor so I’m actually beyond stoked on being able to work closely with them to come up with such cool things as my own signature line! My MF1 line is inspired by earthly colours and since beige is one of my favorite colors, I thought it would be awesome to try to mix that in!
Max wanted beige for his new MF1 bike jersey. Turned out to be really nice!
And the slam section of your Perspective video is enough to make your toes curl – you must have been pretty stoked to be wearing your TSG protect?
Yeah, we have a squad of wild friends that love to come up with some crazy stuff together, so protection is key for us! We all wear TSG helmets and protection which have helped us through so often! Not sure if my knees and shins would be intact without the TSG Temper… hahaha!
In our “What I Ride” Video Serie Max explains shows you what he likes at the Knee-Shinguard Temper A
And lastly, lockdown looks like it might have an end soon: Any plans for bike trips on the horizon?
Other than competing again and some video projects I want to meet some fans! A road trip from Crankworx to home would be dope! Do some meet ups and session with friends and fans!
I always try to bring some positives out of setbacks