[2] She was inspired to take up the sport by her father, Jason, a BMX track builder who also ran a DH race series in South Wales.

Carpenter attended St. Martin's Comprehensive School, Caerphilly and is taking a gap year to concentrate on her sport before studying a science and Spanish degree in Manchester.

[3] In 2011, Manon Carpenter won the Junior UCI Downhill World Championship and the Junior UCI Mountain Bike World Cup overall.

She was also named Elite Cyclist of the Year at the USN Welsh Cycling Awards.

In August 2017 Carpenter announced her retirement from Downhill racing with immediate effect.