STORM FORCE

Manon Carpenter may have retired from downhill competition, but her new role as a trail advocate is achieving results far beyond the race track

- Sim Mainey

You know who that is, don’t you? That’s Manon Carpenter!” The three riders look over in our direction. Manon does a good job of suppressing a visible squirm and smiles. Being recognised out on the trails is all part and parcel of being, amongst other things, a former world champion.

Ten years ago, when mbr talked to Manon for our New Stars of 2013 series, she was just about to break into elite level DH racing, having dominated the junior category. Her winning streak continued with tens of podiums, a World Cup overall victory and a world champion’s jersey before, in 2017, Manon announced her retirement from racing.

Six years on and she’s still being recognised, still achieving results, and still inspiring riders – this time with no podiums or race tape in sight.

Today Manon is in the public eye for the work she has done bringing attention to subjects that mountain biking has often shied away from. Manon, in partnership with filmmaker Tommy Wilkinson, has produced two films: Trails on Trial and Winds of Change. Both take a look at some big issues, namely land access and climate change. “When I finished racing six years ago I didn’t really have a plan. I’d always liked making riding edits, so I had a link to being involved in films.

“I’ve transitioned into making films through the lens of mountain biking on topics I’d like to see more on.”

UNCOMFORTABLE TRUTHS