Nino Schurter retires: mountain biking comes to an end of an era

The mountain bike is preparing to bid farewell to its greatest legend. Nino Schurter, considered the best cyclist in the history of XCO, has just officially confirmed his retirement. The Swiss will hang up his race number on September 21, 2025 in Lenzerheide, his most special stage where he has achieved some of the most iconic victories of his career.

Nino Schurter retires: the end of an era

After 23 years in the elite, Schurter has decided to put an end to an irreplaceable career. At 39 years old, he will compete for the last time in the Lenzerheide World Cup, just a week after competing in the World Championship in Crans-Montana, where he will wear the Swiss national team jersey for the last time, a jersey he has defended in five Olympic Games, winning gold, silver, and bronze in Beijing 2008, London 2012, and Rio 2016.

The stage of his farewell could not be any other: Lenzerheide, his training ground where he won his eighth world title in 2018 and where he achieved his 34th victory in the World Cup, a historic record celebrated in front of the local fans.

An unparalleled record

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Schurter's legacy is as extensive as it is unattainable, and it is precisely because of this list of victories that he has earned the title of the greatest XCO biker of all time:

• 10 world champion titles
• 9 overall World Cup titles
• 36 victories in the XCO World Cup
• 3-time Cape Epic champion
• 3 Olympic medals (gold, silver, and bronze)

Since 2003, he has always competed under the colors of the SCOTT-SRAM MTB Racing Team, led by Thomas Frischknecht, who gave him the opportunity to debut as a professional and with whom he has forged a relationship that has forever changed the history of mountain biking.

 

 

 

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Although he is saying goodbye to high-level XCO, Schurter will remain connected to cycling as an ambassador for SCOTT, SRAM, and RockShox, in addition to staying with the SCOTT-SRAM MTB Racing Team structure. His plans include charitable projects, events, and a move towards long-distance and gravel races, with the Absa Cape Epic 2026 on the horizon.

Schurter himself emotionally summarized this new step in his life:

“I say goodbye to the cross-country World Cup, but I will continue in the exciting world of cycling with all the wonderful people who are part of it. I am incredibly grateful for everything I have achieved as a professional. Now is the time to take that experience to a new chapter in my life”.

Thomas Frischknecht, his director and mentor, highlighted the magnitude of his legacy:

“It is the dream of anyone in this sport to have worked with an athlete like Nino. His record speaks for itself, but what impresses me the most is his personality, his professionalism, and his infinite passion. His legacy will remain forever as an example for future generations”.

With his farewell, Nino Schurter leaves an impossible void to fill in competitive XCO, but also an indelible mark that will serve as inspiration to cyclists and fans around the world.