Two Legends Announce Retirement From World Cup MTB Racing
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Two of the mountain bike racing's biggest names-- Swiss cross-country icon Nino Schurter and New Zealand enduro and downhill veteran Matt Walker-- have announced that this will be their final year on the World Cup stage.
Nino Schurter: The End of an Era
After more than two decades at the top of cross-country mountain biking, Nino Schurter has decided that the Lenzerheide round of the 2025 UCI Mountain Bike World Cup will be his last World Cup race. The 10-time XCO World Champion and Olympic gold medalist broke the news on Instagram, sharing a heartfelt message of gratitude to his fans, competitors, and the sport that has defined his life thus far.
"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.
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.
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 favourtie race, will be my last World Cup. Two home races. I couldn't have scripted it better.
I want to thank everyone of you teammates, competitors, fans and the entire mountain bike community. You made this journey unforgettable. You were the reason I pushed harder. And you were the magic behind the medals.
I'm not disappearing. I'll still be riding, even racing (just not between the World Cup tape) and diving into new projects I can't wait to share soon. But for now, I'm giving it everything one last time. See you in Crans-Montana. See you in Lenzerheide. Let's make it legendary." - Nino Schurter
Schurter’s farewell will play out on home soil: the 2025 XCO World Championships in Crans-Montana, followed by the Lenzerheide World Cup, his favorite venue and one he sees as the perfect place to close this chapter.
Few athletes have left a mark as indelible as Schurter. Since his breakout in 2003 at the World Championships in Lugano, he has rewritten the record books, claiming more than 30 World Cup wins and many overall titles. He is indisputably the greatest cross-country mountain biker of all time.
- World Championships: 10 elite XCO World Championship titles (2009, 2012–2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2021, 2022). More than any rider in history.
- World Cup Wins: Over 35 World Cup victories, the all-time record.
- Olympics: 3 Olympic medals — gold (2016 Rio), silver (2012 London), bronze (2008 Beijing).
- World Cup Overall Titles: 8 overall World Cup titles, consistently dominating for well over a decade, winning against multiple generations of racers.
While he’s stepping away from the World Cup tape, Schurter made it clear he’s not disappearing from the sport. He hinted at new projects, more riding, and even some racing, just not at the World Cup level.
His longtime sponsor, Scott, had this to say:
“We’re beyond excited for you, for all that has been and all that’s to come. See you in Lenzerheide.” —Scott
Matt Walker: Friend of Gravity
Schurter wasn't the only racer to drop a retirement announcement this week. Matt Walker, one of New Zealand’s most versatile racers, revealed that the World Cup Finale in Haute-Savoie, France, will be his last.
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“This week will be my last World Cup, I’ve decided it’s time to move on from racing and set my sights on something new. Super grateful for everything this sport has given me! So many incredible experiences, unforgettable moments and the best people who’ve shared this journey.” —Matt Walker
Walker, 35, has built a career in both Enduro and Downhill. Highlights that include his breakthrough Enduro World Cup victory in Val di Fassa, Italy (2023) while riding for Pivot Factory Racing, and a New Zealand Downhill Series overall title. Known for his smooth riding style, consistency, and overall pleasantness, Walker has been a mainstay in the pits and on the circuit, bringing Kiwi grit and charm to every round.
Even in 2025, he was still laying down strong results, including a 6th-place finish in La Thuile earlier this summer. A lingering knee injury, it seems, is pushing him to step away from the top flight of enduro racing.
The UCI World Series honored his career:
“A UCI World Cup winner and one of the sport’s most consistent riders, Matt leaves behind a career defined by speed, style, and resilience. From the highs of standing on the top step to the grind of week-in, week-out racing, he’s proven himself against the best in the world.”
Walker says he’s looking forward to fixing his knee, taking on new challenges, and finding out what life after racing looks like. Whatever comes next, he leaves the sport with respect earned and friendships forged across continents.
Farewell to Two Greats
With Schurter and Walker stepping away, mountain biking is saying goodbye to two of racing's favorite faces. One dominated cross-country racing with unmatched consistency and dominance, the other brought versatility, drive, and presence across disciplines.
Both leave the sport richer than they found it. Fans and racers around the world will miss them on the circuit. We can't wait to see what both of them do after some well deserved rest and recuperation.
