Manon Carpenter and Matthias Flückiger Join Radon

Dec 31, 2016
by Pinkbike Staff  
Radon
  The DH Team.

2017 promises to become an exciting race season for Radon bikes. The German bike brand, based in Bonn, is stepping up its racing program and will be competing with both a DH and XC factory racing team.

Radon Bikes is proud to announce the signing of double World & World Cup Champion Manon Carpenter (UK/22) on a two-year contract with the Radon Factory DH Team.

Radon

The young British rider will pilot the Radon Swoop200 DH bike, alongside teammates Johannes Fischbach (GER/28, current City DH World Tour Champion) and Faustin Figaret (FRA/23, French DH talent), in the UCI DH World Cup and Crankworx World Series. Raphaela Richter (GER/18, current U21 Enduro World Champion) will complete the team. Under the management of former 4X World Champion, Joost Wichman, the team has its focus on World Cup podiums and a strong media presence.

Radon
  The XC Team.

The second major addition in 2017 comprehends of the Radon Factory XC Team. With Ralph Näf as team manager, Radon has assured itself of an experienced captain for the XC Team, focussing towards the goal of the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo.

The triple World Champion from Switzerland has put together an extremely strong team. They will race on the brand new Radon JEALOUS, Radon’s 29er carbon race hardtail. Former double World Champion, Matthias Flückiger (SUI - 28,) will aim for World Cup podium spots. With 2013 XC Junior World Champion Alessandra Keller (SUI - 20) and Kathrin Stirnemann (SUI - 28,) World Champion in the XCE 2014, the team consists of a full rainbow stripes line-up.

Radon

For Christopher Stahl, CEO and founder of Radon bikes, the expansion of the brand’s commitment in the professional mountain biking scene is a logical next step in the brand’s overall strategy. The factory racing teams will enhance Radon’s presence in mountain biking and underline the top of the line bikes the company has developed.

bigquotesOver the years Radon has showcased their bikes in top rankings of several product tests in the media. A futher commitment in professional sports is the only logical step. The best bikes must be raced, tested and further developed by the best athletes. As an active race car driver, I know that you need the challenge of professional sports and need the feedback of pro riders to improve the product to the most minor detail. We will use this knowledge not only for our race bikes but it will trickle all the way down to categories such as our E-bikes. In addition, professional sports is a perfect stage to showcase the reputation Radon on an international stage. - Christopher Stahl, CEO and founder of Radon Bikes
.

MENTIONS: @RadonFactoryRacing


Posted In:
Press Releases Radon Bikes Manon Carpenter


Author Info:
pinkbikeaudience avatar

Member since Jul 22, 2013
3,465 articles
Report
Must Read This Week
Pole Bicycles Has Filed for Bankruptcy
56630 views
First Ride: The Sub-$600 RockShox Domain and Psylo Forks
42964 views
[UPDATED] Final Elite XC Results & Overall Standings from the Mairiporã XC World Cup 2024
42201 views
Tree Root Pierces Harriet Harnden's Foot at Round 1 of the British National Downhill Series
39244 views
Pinkbike's DH Fantasy League: Get Your Team On The Line - Fort William is in TWO WEEKS!
35139 views
Review: Race Face's Era Chainring Uses Steel, Carbon, & Aluminum
28419 views
First Ride: Fox's New Transfer Dropper Post - Adjustable Travel, Up to 240mm of Drop
27055 views
Industry Digest: Crowd Funding 36" eBikes, Canfield Bikes' Relocation, Recalls & More
26799 views
Sign Up for the Pinkbike Newsletter - All the Biggest, Most Interesting Stories in your Inbox
PB Newsletter Signup

133 Comments
  • 143 0
 Flückiger me. Didn't see that coming.
  • 58 1
 mmm a bit it of a stretch but I'll allow it.
  • 19 1
 Yeah that smells German sausages ... Come on Manon, wish all the best
  • 2 1
 hahaha you beat me to it
  • 8 23
flag hampsteadbandit (Dec 31, 2016 at 23:00) (Below Threshold)
 @jefftrancex1xtr:

yes, best of wishes to Manon and the new team

a great shot from her time with Saracen, at "Parkour Ride" in East London, racing World BMX champ Liam Phillips

ep1.pinkbike.org/p6pb11489325/p5pb11489325.jpg
  • 80 0
 @hampsteadbandit:
I'll be honest. That's not really a great shot.
  • 2 0
 @jefftrancex1xtr: prefer the Toulouse variety ?
  • 105 4
 Wait, wut? Two women on a factory team!? While some can't even manage one! Cough*specialized cough *syndicate...
  • 3 2
 Finally. Smile
  • 22 12
 Might be something to do with there only being five pro female riders in existence.
  • 8 2
 @thenotoriousmic: Red Bull is just showing the Top 5 at each race, but there are sometimes as many as 30-40 riders in the women's field on a regular World Cup.
  • 2 1
 @MrEtnie: not all of those are true professionals. There's a lot of privateer riders in that field. I think that was the point.
  • 1 0
 @MrEtnie: yeah I know but there's five or six competive racers everyone else is well off the pace.
  • 1 0
 at one glance, 2 Manon ..
  • 50 0
 Its not often you seen a factory team with Fox suspension and Sram drivetrain.
  • 10 0
 Seems to be going a lot like that now. Remember who caught on fire after switching to Maxxis and Fox last year?
  • 10 0
 And the XC team is Shimano and Fox
  • 2 5
 @kwapik: makes sense. Alot of XC riders like 2x or 3x for the sprints. 40 tooth up front helps
  • 17 0
 They aren't allowed to smile too.
  • 3 1
 Mondraker did it...
  • 2 0
 Those look like production bikes... That may not represent team sponsorship... Especially since team sponsorship were not mentioned...
  • 1 0
 and Magura brakes. all mixed up. but that's actually my favorite mix
  • 1 0
 @leopaul: If its anything like 2016 they'll have manitou forks (on the longer travel bikes) with other companies shocks, a Answer cockpit and wheels, magura brakes, and sram drivetrain
  • 35 5
 Go Manon way to go !!! sick bike !!!!! german engineering will bring her back on the topstep
  • 71 7
 Just like VW brought us all good gas milage...
  • 4 1
 Can't wait to see what a new program does for her results
  • 12 61
flag Mattin (Dec 31, 2016 at 16:46) (Below Threshold)
 @taquitos: I prefer not to thank VW, because basically you're thanking Hitler.
  • 10 36
flag ermoldaker (Dec 31, 2016 at 16:50) (Below Threshold)
 Yeah, German engineering is really cutting edge and inventive.

Does sarcasm come through on here?
  • 55 9
 @ermoldaker: I hate to ask, but as opposed to the cutting edge British automotive industry?
  • 7 3
 @VwHarman: Hahaha mega burn!
  • 7 0
 @VwHarman: Ha!..there is reason that your user name starts with VW!
  • 23 5
 @VwHarman: Most Formula 1 Teams are base din the uk , doesnt get much more cutting edge than that
  • 3 7
flag VwHarman (Jan 1, 2017 at 1:40) (Below Threshold)
 @bikegreece: true that! Though as a general rule of thumb is prefer vws that use air instead of coolant...
  • 11 4
 @VwHarman: do you mean the one that designs and makes almost the entire F1 starting grid and most of the indy car grid?
  • 8 1
 @VwHarman: have you seen youtu.be/vmcmqTAu6b8
  • 2 0
 @taquitos: please no hahaha ....
  • 9 10
 @VwHarman: Ha, yeah, I mean it's not like the engines for the i8 are designed and manufactured in the UK. Or the Nissan Leaf. Fact, the i8 and i3 were both engineered in their entirety by FEV, not BMW.

I work on engineering projects in the UK that you couldn't even imagine; but you will see in the next 6 to 9 months.

The hybrid system for the Toyota Le Mans cars is developed in the UK by Zytek, who were also the first people in the world to compete a hybrid racing car. A large German Tier 1 supplier now owns Zytek as they were so far ahead on automotive technologies. How about the Drayson electric racing car?

Mercedes F1 base both their chassis and engine development in the UK.
  • 6 5
 @VwHarman: which pretty much establishes why you should have kept out of that conversation.
  • 25 4
 I smell angry brits, can´t you just take a joke
  • 8 3
 British Leyland must not have happened then.
  • 24 2
 @ermoldaker: When you say things like 'I work on engineering projects you can't even imagine' all you are doing is making yourself look like a prick.

Who do you think you are to assume someone else simply won't be able to comprehend the magnitude of you and your super special work?!

Oh, and just because companies may be based in the UK, does not mean all of their best staff are from the UK does it.
  • 3 3
 @mgolder: yup. Lets see these projects. Multimatic uk?
  • 10 3
 @ermoldaker: I spend very little time imaging the work of people I have never met before, especially when the people working those projects are clearly going to tell me how amazing they are anyays...
  • 2 10
flag ermoldaker (Jan 1, 2017 at 15:00) (Below Threshold)
 @mgolder: because half the people who work in the industry don't understand it. I've worked with engineers and scientists from all over the world so I'm quite well informed. I'd rather be a prick than ignorant.
  • 1 7
flag ermoldaker (Jan 1, 2017 at 15:01) (Below Threshold)
 @VwHarman: I won't be telling you how amazing they are.
  • 1 4
 @atrokz: Multimatic look rather interesting. There's lots of interesting niche firms around. Would be good if some of that talent filtered down to the bike industry one day.
  • 1 6
flag ermoldaker (Jan 1, 2017 at 15:17) (Below Threshold)
 @spirit-of-enduro: except it wasn't a joke..
  • 2 5
 @Scoutty: in the same way GM didn't go bust?
  • 5 1
 @ermoldaker: if your referring to my comment, it entirely was a joke. Or if your referring to the British auto industry, it is too!
  • 2 0
 @ermoldaker: GM is shit but God BL what we're they doing
  • 4 0
 I think you underestimate people. Its fine to believe you're smart, but another thing to assume people are dumb. As someone who's worked in industry for a long time, I've worked on very important and impressive projects, but instead of telling people they wont understand, I'll explain it to them because I'm passionate about what it is I do and what it affects. Some of us could be your boss.
  • 25 1
 hoped she would go to a bigger team, but hey she must know what she's doing, still my favorite womens racer. best of luck for the upcoming season and the new team!
  • 8 2
 I had Santa Cruz Syndicate down as a good move for both.
  • 4 2
 For an outsider like me (that is, someone not closely involved with any of the race teams), it is a bit unclear when you'd call a team big. Santa Cruz Syndicate had three DH racers the past few seasons, Madison Saracen and also this Radon team had/have more. But of course the team is much more than just the riders and that's the bit I have no clue of. Were you thinking along the lines of how many manhours and how much money is being spent on running the team? That bit isn't as transparent as it might seem. But judging from what kind of riders they signed for their team, it seems they're pretty serious about doing well. Other new German teams did quite well last season so I expect quite something from Radon as well.
  • 5 1
 @ermoldaker: a woman on a V10 is such a rare thing when you think about it !!!
  • 2 1
 @RedBurn: quite true @Becci Skelton
  • 3 1
 @RedBurn: I tried thinking but couldn't figure it out. Is it because there is no Juliana option. I don't see why a woman couldn't just get on a stock V10 (not that super raked Minnaar version, that is). Of course if it is rare then that's just an observation, but I don't see why it is.
  • 17 1
 The Radon constructeur/engenier, his Name ist Bodo Probst is a great guy! You can ASK hin everything about your Bike via a german Forum called mtb-news.de (its Like the german pinkbike). All the Bikes he's designed works great without major Innovations...It's a decend company, but the best thing ist their pricing, you've get pretty good conponents because you don't have to pay for the brands name.
  • 8 0
 ...so, and from now, you'll pay for the brands name Smile
  • 1 0
 @VlajiciStrapec: I just bought last of the 2016 Swoop 170 line and the pricing for the 2017 is much higher, I'm unsure if it's because I'm from UK and the whole brexit thing or if because of them now stepping into these competitions either way I feel I got a bargain
  • 17 1
 In all honesty in this day and age there are 4 or 5 truly different suspension platforms out there, all very well refined with their pluses and minuses well acknowledged, there is no reason for some companies to charge 10k when multiple companies are putting out equally spec'ed bikes for less than 5k just because they think their 2-3 millimeter adjustment is the perfect deal.

I personally like Radon enough to have just bought a Swoop 200 myself (on closeout for ridiculously cheap prices), solid bikes, working in a solid medium they are comfortable with (nothing wrong with a 15kg aluminum DH bike). Keeping up to date with geometry and parts spec's. Great customer service, and despite them being one of the "little" guys, a solid dedication to their racing programs. I'm psyched to see Manon join Johannes and wish them both the best of luck this year.
  • 2 0
 rad story! makes me wanna buy one as the next bike for sure
  • 19 2
 Manon on the Radon - Illuminati confirmed
  • 15 1
 Zee germans are coming......
  • 3 1
 They are all saints.
  • 23 11
 Wait.. What?.. Who is Radon?
  • 5 27
flag chillrider199 (Dec 31, 2016 at 14:31) (Below Threshold)
 Looks like a Kona...
  • 6 13
flag Husker2112 (Dec 31, 2016 at 14:42) (Below Threshold)
 @chillrider199: From like 2007
  • 69 5
 Another of those massive German bike companies that popped up while you Americans weren't looking.
  • 10 3
 Not of course not american company if so they will call "RAD ON"
  • 4 0
 @Husker2112: I dont know man... goo.gl/images/1CmLWS
  • 7 1
 @chillrider199: ok. It does look like the 2014, but theres something about the Radon which makes it look like something Bender would jump out of a plane with or something. Can't quite place my finger on what ut exactly is
  • 1 0
 *what not ut
  • 2 0
 @Husker2112: Totally. The lower crown of the fork is 100mm+ above the kashima print!

"The lower crown position is set to allow 6 mm clearance between the bottom of the crown and the top of a 2.80" tire when bottomed out. Do not change the position of the lower crown." - Fox.

They totally changed the position of the lower crown...
  • 3 0
 @dirtworks911: everybody changes positions of lower crowns...
  • 2 0
 @adirint: hahah 'murica
  • 11 1
 the bikes look great
  • 3 5
 Does it look like a session?
  • 3 1
 C'mon they look rad!
  • 1 7
flag BEERandSPOKES (Jan 1, 2017 at 1:34) (Below Threshold)
 Really, where? The only photos of the Dh rig exist on pinkbike and not on their actual website. So either pinkibike leaked hem early, or Radon doesn't have their shit together.
  • 2 0
 @BEERandSPOKES: there you go: www.bike-discount.de/de/kaufen/radon-swoop-200-team-465560
  • 6 0
 really wonder how well madison-saracen are going to do this year, as it seemed for the past few years manon has been carrying the entire team.
  • 5 0
 Exciting news. Looking forward to the coming season of WCDH.
  • 5 0
 woop! woop! woop! Great looking Swoop.
  • 4 0
 Did not see that coming. Either way all the best for Manon on her new steed!
  • 5 1
 Didn't see that coming, bet most people didn't ether!
  • 9 5
 Manson to radon, that's a big swoop
  • 3 4
 The other brands are so jealous, they got drunk and pulled a YT
  • 2 0
 Hey, the lucky Saint socks didn't bring much luck in 2016, anyway! Good luck for the coming season, Manon, from all your fans in Wales and around the globe...
  • 4 1
 XC guys only have hardtails to ride while everyone else is on FS?
  • 3 0
 Manon i miss you : Saint-Shimano Frown
  • 1 0
 Good deal for Radon but is it a perfect change for Manon ??? She can Ride for a biggest team like Specialized or Giant with her status rider
  • 2 0
 Great bikes! That leaves more room for Canyon Smile
  • 2 1
 Shouldn't Carpenter be in the middle of that photo? She is a former DH world champion and therefore the most "senior"
  • 3 0
 Both teams have 9 WC titels????
Put all in the middle
  • 2 1
 This shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone. It was litterally told by team rumours.
  • 4 2
 Wow a Horst link design bike.
  • 4 2
 Good move for Manon? I'm not convinced.
  • 2 0
 looks like a H&M ad to me, smiles anyone?
  • 2 1
 I don't know much about RADON but isn't this a lesser team for Manon? not that madison was that great either..
  • 1 0
 People said the same about Gwinn on YT! Could be really good for her.
  • 2 0
 Radon have been making bikes for 25 years. Jus' sayin'.
  • 2 0
 Where's the manon interview?
  • 1 0
 yet another pro using a bike not available to me.
  • 1 0
 well who would have imagined that ?
  • 1 0
 What the fluckiger was Manon thinking??
  • 1 0
 Why so serious?
  • 1 0
 Nick Beer?!
  • 1 1
 No nick beer nomo smh
  • 2 3
 NO ENDURO TEAM??!!??? HNNGG!
  • 1 2
 Looks like a session
  • 1 2
 Looks like a session
  • 2 5
 Manon will "RAD ON"
Below threshold threads are hidden







Copyright © 2000 - 2024. Pinkbike.com. All rights reserved.
dv56 0.049616
Mobile Version of Website