Nino Schurter debuts his XCO season this Saturday

Next Saturday, March 8, Campochiesa di Albenga, Italy, will become the epicenter of mountain biking with the arrival of some of the best riders in the world at the International XCO Albenga City Cup. Among them, the participation of Swiss rider Nino Schurter stands out, the "G.O.A.T." (Greatest of All Time) of the discipline, who will start his season here.

Schurter debuts in 2025 at the International XCO Albenga City Cup

After a long training period in South Africa, this Italian race has been chosen by the powerful SCOTT SRAM to start their XCO season. Schurter will not arrive alone, and on the same starting line we will see his teammates Filippo Colombo and Andri Frischknecht as well as the new additions to the team, American Bjorn Riley and Canadian Emily Johnston.

But the list of favorites is much larger and in Albenga we will see Mondraker Factory Racing with Danish Sebastian Fini and Austrian Tamara Wiedmann, BMC Racing Team with Titouan Carod or Canyon CCLTV with Italian champion Valentina Corvi, Lapierre Racing Unity with Chiara Teocchi or Wilier Vittoria Factory complete, among others.

International XCO Albenga City Cup 2025: dates and schedules

RECOMENDADO

What do the colours of the rainbow jersey mean, and who was the first World Champion?

How much prize money does La Vuelta 2026 offer? Here’s what Enric Mas has earned and how it compares with the Tour and Giro

Sign up first, train later: why entering a race can change the way you train

From struggling to enjoying it: tips to build confidence on descents

Are you properly positioned on your bike? These are the measurements you should check

Is your bike slow, nervous or hard to handle? The wheels might be causing it

The races will start on Saturday, March 8 at 9:15 with the Junior men's category, followed at 11:15 by the U23 men. At 13:15 it will be the turn of the women's race and the Elite Men's race will close the event with a start at 15:15.

The Albenga Cup will also serve to get an idea of the form of some of the favorites who will take the start at the Absa Cape Epic in a few days, like the pair formed by Nino Schurter and his compatriot Filippo Colombo.