Hello Maël! To start, can you introduce yourself?
Hello. My name is Maël Féron , I am 21 years old and I am from the south of France, near Montpellier .
This year I am in my 4th year of engineering school at INSA Strasbourg in Mechanical Engineering .
What sport do you play? And for how long?
I have been an Enduro mountain bike athlete for 3 years .
I compete on the World Cup circuit , but not only that. I also like longer formats that blend the essence of enduro and endurance.
I also discovered "mass start" races 2 years ago and it's a format that I particularly like.
Besides competition, I am passionate about video and adventure : I like to push my limits on my bike while conveying my challenges through beautiful images.
Aside from sports, what motivates you?
Outside of sports, I am primarily passionate about video creation , whether for myself, for friends or even for clients.
I also like to combine this passion with engineering by imagining devices that allow filming in a different way or obtaining viewpoints that are unthinkable by hand.
Can you share with us some highlights from your sporting career?
I started enduro in 2022 and in the same year I ranked 2nd in the overall standings of the French Cups in the junior category.
Since then, I have continued to progress at the national and then international level , varying my objectives to continue having fun and improving.
Last year, I set myself the goal of completing a full season in World Cups . Goal achieved: I finished 15th overall , with two top 10 finishes during the season!
This 2025 season was particularly memorable as I set myself the challenge of participating in the legendary Epic Enduro at the beginning of the year: a 130km enduro race, 5000m of elevation gain , divided into 13 timed special stages .
After a busy winter preparing for this race as seriously as possible, I finished 2nd after more than 15 hours of effort .
A little later in the season, I challenged myself to cycle to the start of the Megavalanche in Alpe d'Huez , a 2700m climb ending with the snow walls , and then to start the race where I finished 4th !
What is your best performance or your most memorable sporting moment?
In 2024 , I set myself the challenge of trying to beat the Tour du Mont-Blanc mountain bike record with a friend.
We did not succeed, but those long hours cycling day and night remain unforgettable .
We surpassed ourselves, we pushed ourselves to the limit, and to top it all off, despite the "failure", we made a documentary retracing our mountain biking adventure around Mont Blanc.
What is the most wonderful encounter that sport has offered you?
I don't think there is one person in particular, but several , met thanks to our shared passion for mountain biking , and with whom I share truly precious moments.
Why did you agree to join the COOKNRUN team?
I posted a story where I was being towed by a car, and Thomas from the COOKNRUN team replied saying: "If you want, we can send you some bars to help you pedal to the top of the slopes."
I loved the approach! We discussed the brand, the products, the values, etc.
Then I obviously agreed to join the team .
What do you like about COOKNRUN?
Several things appealed to me:
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Firstly, the aspect of a French brand , committed to product quality as much as to sporting performance,
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the community and accessible aspect revealed on social networks,
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And then… I tasted the bars: they now accompany me on every outing.
Do you have a favorite product in the range? Why that one?
The chocolate/peanut butter energy bar !
An essential item for going for a ride.
How would you describe your partnership with COOKNRUN in a few words?
I would say a healthy and effective relationship , with the same goal: to move forward!
What are your next goals or projects?
The next big goal is to successfully launch my documentary about my ascent of the Megavalanche.
Then, a few races to finish the season , before ending with 2 weeks in Reunion Island to participate in another Megavalanche!
What can we wish for you in the future?
Keep enjoying yourself on the bike!
One last word?
Roll on, youth.
