News has just been released that Manon Carpenter is retiring from downhill racing.
| The decision for me to withdraw from racing has come about quickly, but the reasons have been there for a while. Over the races this year I’ve been finding it harder to face up to difficult situations – high consequence sections or changing conditions - and during National Champs weekend I came to the conclusion that I just didn't want to take the risks involved with racing at 100% anymore. Racing downhill is gnarly and you have to have the confidence to commit to whatever is put in front of you, whereas I’ve become more aware of the consequences of crashing and, as much as I've tried to put this out of my head, it’s stopped me from enjoying racing as I would like to. I've had everything I needed to prepare myself as best I could for racing this year with a great bike, sponsors and support from Radon Factory DH Racing. Everyone has put their best efforts into helping me and I wanted to finish the season with Radon Bikes, as I know I made commitments to them, but quickly realised that World Cup racing isn’t something I should force myself into if my head isn’t in it. Racing on the World Cup circuit has been an amazing and unexpected opportunity for me. After racing as a Junior years ago I set out to race in Elite for a year to see what I could do before starting Uni, but my first season showed promise and everything else went on hold. I wanted to race until I got as far as I could, or until I injured myself, so I’m happy to have made it this far relatively in one piece! There have been some huge highlights and I feel like I’ve given as much as I had, now I’m looking forward to having time to enjoy riding at home and to see what else there is for me to do. I’m very grateful to everyone who has followed, supported and believed in me over the years of racing and to those who have been supportive of this decision so far.—Manon Carpetner |
Radon Factory Racing just released a statement regarding Manon's decision to retire:
With mixed feelings we have to tell you that Manon Carpenter has decided to withdraw from Downhill MTB racing.
For some time Manon has been struggling with her mindset. After the UCI DH World Cup in Lenzerheide and the British National DH Championships things were clear for Manon. It’s time for her to move on, and step away from World Cup DH Racing.
| From the first conversation I had with Manon, Crankworx 2016, I was convinced that this girl had it in her to challenge every single female rider on the World Cup circuit for the top spot on the box. I am still convinced about this, this girl can ride a bike like no other.
The whole Radon crew was stoked to get the confirmation that she would start the 2017 season on our Radon Swoop200. After a good winter of training and testing we started the season with a podium spot, the first ever World Cup podium for Radon. A great starting point to build from, followed by podiums in Fort Bill and Leogang. I do not know many athletes who work as professionally as Manon. Going through suspension settings with her Mechanic, Gavin, getting feedback from her lines-scout Andi and going over GoPro footage together to find the best lines on track. Leaving nothing to the unexpected.
As the season continued we noticed she got more and more insecure and more tight up on the bike. We talked a lot about this, searched for solutions and tried to eliminate all uncertainties, but as Manon said above, after National Champs she came to the conclusion that she’s not up for the risks anymore.
As team manager you’re shocked, but you also see it coming. You try to find solutions to change her mindset, but in the end, you can’t send a rider up the hill who is not confident to race, you have to respect this. Of course, I am sad, as the whole team is, but we are also proud and blessed that we had the opportunity to work with Manon and that we achieved several world cup podiums together. I would like to thank Manon and wish her all the best of luck in her career after racing.—Joost Wichman | Radon Factory DH Team Manager |
The whole Radon Bikes Crew wishes Manon all the best in the future.
MENTIONS: @RadonFactoryRacing /
@ManonCarpenter
she will only make an amazing enduro racing if the new challenge is going to make her go 100% again , otherwise there is no point to race at the highest level of racing if you aren't going to give all you got
In enduro, there are multiple stages so you dont have to take these kind of risks to be competitive (Maybe you do in the mens field where everybody is hitting the same lines) - You can make time up on other sections etc, you cant to do that in WC DH - dont hit the big sections and you are off the pace.
Another point is the way DH courses are getting, technical courses are often slower, come off and you get hurt but not completely destroyed - Modern DH courses are super fast in comparison with some really big jumps, come off and you are getting hurt.
All the best to Manon, she was an awesome DH racer and achieved a lot in a short time - I am sure mtb still has a place for you if you want it.
I always tell my son: If the hike isn't any fun, then let's go home!
I understand she's studying Geology, so props to the accidental pun
Btw, can you downgrade to easier climbs? Kinda like going from DH to Enduro or even XC?
He was actually 'hit by a tonne of bricks' ! Some pikey fly tipped off the top , lol
Tech tracks may have more crashes, but they are often much slower. e.g. would you rather crash at full tilt at MSA or Fort Willaims open sections or while threading it through a section of roots / trying to keep a high-line in an off-camber? I know which one it would be for me thats for sure.
I'm sure everyone thinks about the risk/reward ratio at some point so I hope she doesn't feel it's something to be ashamed of.
Hopefully see her racing in some smaller British series'.
Enduro or staying on the pump track in future riding terms, aside from the geology work.....?
An outstanding attitude, superb riding abilities and that radiant smile of hers that was undoubtebly contagious.
She embodies the true spirit of mountain biking in the best way possible.
Made a similar decision myself years ago leaving DH racing for university & I can assure you it's a hard one to make.
It takes loads of guts and a lot of personal integrity to leave graciously as you did Manon.
Like many I have profound respect for you and what you did as a role model for women in our sport.
Happy Trails to you & all the best for the future.
Good luck Manon, and thank you for some exciting races. Hope you still stay in the industry somehow.
So is she engaged to Ratboy yet? :p
Its just not what she is after right now.
For the forseeable she will take some time away from racing bikes full stop.
yes , she was three seconds ahead before she went otb.
It's a pretty huge decision to make, best of luck, you'll be missed.
Must have been a tough decision for Manon, especially "mid" season and given that we all envy these riders just a little bit. Similar situation to Ragot. Not going to help the competitiveness of the women's world cup either.
Sad news that she is retiring, but at least she is making the decision rather than it being forced on her
I like that Enduro is more about finesse and skills as opposed to being largely influenced by bravery. Dh obviously requires huge skill (and all the top riders have that skill) and it definitely requires a higher level of commitment. But Enduro is that much more accessible and I would say rewards the more skillful riders more. In DH (at local level) I see pretty shit bike riders beat talented bikers purely based upon fearlessness. I like that there is a place for skilled riders who have other commitments to do their thing at a high level.
* Fabien Barel braking his back "IN AN EDURO STAGE" where he went over the bars and down an embankment.
* Cedric Gracia finding he had no brakes and crashing into a tree stump that shattered his hip!
If you don't want to put yourself out there at the edge anymore then Enduro isn't an option either!
@BDKR pretty sure CG broke his hip at Val di Sole in a DH race.
A. Hitting a track blindly takes hella bravery.
B. Tara Llanes had her accident going slow as f*ck. Shit happens. Riding bikes down hills at any speed can end badly. We take that risk because we enjoy it though. To push harder without enjoyment just doesn't make sense.
I've raced Enduro and I've raced downhill and I know which one makes me that bit more nervous every time I'm about to drop in on a race run. There are rarely features on an Enduro stage where you have to take multiple runs to psych yourself up to hit. You might try multiple times to get it right but it's usually not because it's terrifying (although sometimes there is an element of that) but rather because it's technically very difficult.
I like Ratboy a lot but let's be honest that just indicates that he is pretty lazy! If video games were his interest and he said he's giving up his job in IT to spend more time mastering world of warcraft I don't think people would be as forgiving of his attitude! But I guess he is able to make it work for him so once he is able to pay the bills!
@humoroususername: Someone leaving a rigorous training and racing lifestyle to follow their true passion and enjoy riding indicates laziness eh...
He's basically saying he doesn't want to do the hard part so he will play instead. That's called being lazy where I'm from.