Max was born in Novosibirsk, Russia and emigrated to the US in 1995 at the age of 8. He started racing at 15 and had moderate success on a national level in junior races. After high school he studied Economics at UC Berkeley and won several collegiate races as well as the WCCC omnium championship in 2008. Riding for California Giant Berry Farms amateur team he won the U23 National championship in 2007, six weeks after becoming a US citizen. After graduating in winter of 2008, he spent the 2009 season racing for Danish continental team Glud & Marstrand Horsens getting 8th at the GP Rogland, the KOM jersey at the Tour of Liege, 15th overall the Tour of Utah, and 14th at USPro. He spent 2010 and 2011 racing for UHC Pro Cycling team, getting 3rd at the Gila Monster stage among many other top 20 NRC results while helping the team to GC wins at Mt Hood and Cascades.