Legend of mountain bikes Nino Schurter announces retirement at the end of this season

Mountain biking will bid farewell to one of the biggest icons of the sport of last two decades. The 39-year-old Swissman Nino Schurter has come to a conclusion that there's nothing more he can give the sport. 2025 is also Schurter's first season without a big victory since 2020. The 2016 Olympic champion will ride his final race in front of home crowds in Lenzerheide in September.

"Dear mountain bike family and beyond. For the past two decades, I've given my body, my mind and my soul to mountain biking. A beautiful sport, but also brutal at pro-level. You either win races, you are a contender, or you're gone. There's no place for passengers. It's all or nothing. 24 hours a day, seven days a week," Schurter said.

"When I raced my first World Championships, I was just a kid chasing a dream in Lugano 2003, and I left with my first international medal. What I didn't know then: that dream would carry me through countless unforgettable moments and let me win more than half of all of those championships along the way."

Besides Olympic gold from Rio de Janeiro, Schurter has also become a 10-time XCO World champion, last time in 2022. The Swissman will be also remembered for his perfect run in 2017 when he won every single one XCO World Cup round, including the World Championships.

"It's been one hell of a ride. But now it's time. Time to let my mind breathe and to spend more moments with the people who have supported me through it all. This year gives me the perfect goodbye. Crans-Montana will be my final XCO World Championships and Lenzerheide, my favourite race, will be my last World Cup. Two home races, I couldn't have scripted it better."

The Swissman also thanked the loyal fans: "You made this journey unforgettable. You were the reason I pushed harder. And you were the magic behind the medals."