Twenty years ago, Nino Schurter rode his first World Cup. Twenty would be a nice number to end such an incredible career. But there were already rumours that the record-breaking world champion would add another season. With an Instagram post, Schurter is now addressing the mountain bike scene and thanking them: "Last weekend I finished my 20th Elite World Cup season. I am overjoyed and proud of what I have been able to achieve in all these years. Many wonderful memories have been made that will stay with me forever. But the best thing is all the people I've met along the way: Friends, competitors and fans. You all made it worth going the extra mile for me and I would like to say thank you for the friendships, the great atmosphere and the fair duels in the races."

He takes a short break and could now say: "That's it." But he rides on, saying: "Thanks to you, I'm not ready to hang up my bike just yet." The 37-year-old is therefore planning another racing season and reveals that the World Cup in Lenzerheide will be his big highlight of the season. Nino Schurter will not change his team situation in 2025 either, as the Scott-Sram team has provided him with the foundation for his great and sustained success since the start of his career. This foundation and his successes are one of the reasons why he has not yet taken his start number off the handlebars. On good days, he is still capable of competing for victory, as Schurter showed at the World Cup in Val di Sole.

Van der Poel in Pauline's footsteps

The day before Schurter's announcement, Mathieu van der Poel announced some news. The Dutchman is considered one of the greatest cyclists and has won almost everything as an all-rounder. He recently added the gravel world championship title to his palmares. He has proven several times that van der Poel is also one of the winning riders in the Mountain Bike World Cup, even if his last cross-country appearances ended less than gloriously.

In 2025, the 29-year-old Dutchman wants to attack again on the mountain bike. He told Eurosport: "I've never made a secret of the fact that I really want to win the mountain bike world title. However, this also depends on the season planning. But it would be great if I could finally name it as my big goal."

Road cycling is still a priority for Mathieu van der Poel. But the World Championships in Rwanda, with over 5,000 meters of altitude, do not meet his requirement profile at all. He therefore considers it more sensible to focus on mountain biking for the 2025 World Championships. If van der Poel wants to catch up with Pauline Ferrand-Prevot and also win gold in cross country after winning the world titles in road racing, cyclo-cross and gravel, he will have to do so with all his heart. By now, Mathieu van der Poel should also be aware that a half-hearted approach will not bring any prospects of success, even for an exceptional cyclist.