Wise Words is our interview series talking to some of mountain biking’s most switched on people.
We’ll ask our short list of questions to a heap of influential, inspiring and outspoken people that we feel are driving the direction of mountain biking today. Some will make you think, some will make you laugh, some will be plain dumb, some will inspire you to better yourself and your riding. We hope!
Wise Words this week come at you from none other than Isabeau Cordurier.
Where to start with Isabeau Cordurier? The French legend spent the best part of a decade at the top of the sport, barely being off the podium at a single race between 2015 and 2022, also winning the inaugural UCI Enduro World Championships. Her impact extends far beyond her trophy cabinet as she’s supported up and coming riders and women in the sport in general. Despite expecting her first child, she hasn’t slowed down any.
Photos by Boris Beyer unless stated.
How would your closest riding buddies describe you to someone who has never met you?
I bet my friend would say I am the tiny rider that is stoked to ride any bikes, anytime with either some leopard print pants or pink hair.
What thing or things have you bought in the last year that had the biggest effect on your life as a mountain biker / cyclist / person that works in the bike industry?
Last year I finally invested in proper nutrition products. I tested a lot of products all winter and I took time to dial in what was working best for me during training and on the races. It had such a great impact and I truly felt some progress.
I also got a new bike rack from Thule that has been life changing. It comes with a ramp so I can easily upload and unload my EMTB too and as a pregnant women it truly simplified the logistics behind getting to the riding spots.
What unusual habits do you have as a bike rider?
I don’t think I do anything unusual as a rider maybe more as an athlete.. I do have quite a lot of routines I do to get me in the zone and confident ahead of a race. Such as always listening the same music every single race before I leave the paddock. My song for the morning of the World Cups is The Chain of Fleetwood Mac. It puts me just in the right headspace.
What piece of advice do you think every mountain bike rider should hear? And what piece should they ignore?
My best advice would be to do a session with a coach particularly if you feel stuck on some skills like jumping, hitting drops, berms or if you feel like your body position ain’t quite right. Sometimes it only takes good advices to completely change your riding game.
The advice that should be ignored in my opinion is: “just send it”. It should be preceded by a lot of building work and knowing how and what you’re about to do. Once the checklist and analysis of the feature is completed than you can consider the “send it”.
If you could go back and re-ride one day from your life so far, where/what/when/who would it be? Would you change anything?
I do believe it would be EDR World Champs from last year in Canazei. That day felt magical on the bike. It seemed I could effortlessly ride my bike in the treacherous conditions we had. It was the best way to conclude the first part of my career with my family and friends waiting for me on the finish line.
I won’t change anything to this day.
What have you wasted the most time on in your life as a rider or bike industry career that you wished you’d given up years ago?
I have wasted a lot of energy I think not being confident enough. I always felt like I did not belong as a pro rider for years. It took countless efforts and podiums before I felt like I had my place in the sport and industry. That was because I thought I was not the type of athlete people expect you to be. I am not riding to win but to be the best rider I can ever be, and that’s in the end is ok.
How do you motivate yourself when you’re struggling or lacking inspiration?
I first always remind myself that it is absolutely normal and part of the process. No one is motivated all year long, especially when fatigue comes in. I do always believe in discipline and having a plan to stick too. I analyse a lot of what I do and I always try to understand whether it’s a lack of motivation or my body telling me it’s the limit and I must rest. It is all about balance in the end.
What single and specific thing about riding bicycles do you gain the most happiness from?
Weirdly enough I like the super hard sessions whether physically or technically. I like to be pushed to my limits and it always brings satisfaction for me to complete those rides. Other than that, the family rides with our friends is what makes me happy.
What single thing would you like to erase from cycling history from the last year?
It’s not from last year but more like 5/10 years ago, but I would love to erase the pink it and shrink it brands did for women at one point. I hated that period and the products that emerged from that. I am very happy to see all of the progress that has been made since that era by the industry.
What single thing would you like to make happen in the cycling world in the next year?
I am always keen to see more women on bikes and my dream is to one day see complete equality in the sport in terms of riders. So I hope to one day see as many women as men on a bike.
Who else should we ask these questions to?
You should ask the newcomer, Winni Goldsbury.
