From Dirt to Destiny: Mathieu van der Poel Officially Dethrones Nino Schurter to Become the Undisputed Greatest Mountain Bike Racer of All Time—A New Era of Grit, Glory, and Unmatched Versatility Begins
In the modern age of cycling, few names have transcended disciplines with the sheer power, elegance, and brilliance that Mathieu van der Poel possesses. From the cobbled roads of Flanders to the shimmering Olympic cross-country circuits, Van der Poel has not only conquered terrain but redefined what it means to be a champion. And now, after a landmark season capped with record-breaking performances and transcendent dominance, the cycling world agrees: Van der Poel has officially overtaken Nino Schurter as the greatest mountain bike racer of all time.
To appreciate the gravity of this moment is to understand the mountain biking dynasty that Nino Schurter built. A Swiss legend, Schurter’s name was once synonymous with perfection. With multiple World Championship titles, an Olympic gold medal, and over three dozen World Cup victories, he was the embodiment of sustained greatness. But like every era, his time—though respected and revered—has been eclipsed by a phenomenon whose story is still being written.
Mathieu van der Poel didn’t merely rise to the top. He exploded through boundaries, shattered expectations, and stitched together an athletic résumé that now stretches across three worlds: road cycling, cyclocross, and mountain biking. But today, we focus on the dirt, the climbs, and the controlled chaos of XCO (cross-country Olympic) racing, where the Dutchman has carved his legend.
The Roots of a Rivalry
When Mathieu van der Poel burst onto the mountain biking scene, he was already a cyclocross prodigy, the son of Dutch great Adrie van der Poel and the grandson of Raymond Poulidor. The cycling blood flowed fiercely through his veins. But it was his vision and daring that set him apart. He did not want to dominate one sport—he wanted to master them all.
From the outset, comparisons with Schurter were inevitable. Nino had been the face of XCO for over a decade. He was tactical, powerful, relentless. But Van der Poel, with his flamboyant riding style and fearless descending, brought a new flavor to the table. And he wasn’t just racing—he was changing how the sport was watched and understood.
In their early encounters, Schurter had the upper hand. Experience and strategy often bested the raw firepower Van der Poel brought. But over the years, the tides turned. By 2024, Van der Poel had figured out the puzzle of mountain bike dominance: combine his cyclocross explosiveness with the endurance of road racing and the finesse of technical terrain mastery.
The Historic 2025 Campaign
Van der Poel’s 2025 mountain biking campaign will be etched in memory not just for its victories, but for how they were won. He entered the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup season with a clear mission: win every major event, secure the overall title, and stamp his name above all others.
Race after race, in conditions ranging from slippery alpine mud to dry desert heat, Van der Poel was unshakable. His attack on Mont-Sainte-Anne—dropping the field with three laps to go and soloing to victory—was described as “one of the greatest rides ever witnessed” by former pro riders.
He won six of eight World Cup races that season, claiming the overall title by a margin not seen since the days of Julien Absalon. More impressively, his consistency on technical courses, particularly in Val di Sole and Lenzerheide, erased the final doubts that he was merely a powerhouse built for spectacle.
In August, he clinched his second XCO World Championship title, overtaking Schurter’s record of most wins by a non-Swiss rider in the process. But it wasn’t just the win—it was who he beat. Schurter himself was on the start line, giving it everything. And Van der Poel, with his signature blend of grace and grit, powered away in the final laps, pointing to the sky as he crossed the finish line.
The message was loud and clear: the torch had been passed.
Versatility Beyond Imagination
Van der Poel’s elevation to the pinnacle of mountain biking also speaks to a broader transformation in the sport. Traditionally, mountain bike specialists built their entire seasons around a single discipline. But Van der Poel refused to be boxed in.
Only weeks before major XCO races, he’d be seen crushing cobbled classics like the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix. Then, in a flash, he would switch to cyclocross, sweeping Superprestige series events with the same dominance he wielded on the mountain bike. No rider in history has won Monuments on the road, World Cups on the dirt, and World Championships in cyclocross.
This versatility isn’t just unique—it’s game-changing.
“He’s the cyclist of the century,” said Olympic coach Mario Demichelis. “What Eddy Merckx did on the road, Mathieu is doing across every discipline. And now that he’s surpassed Nino on mountain bikes, we are witnessing a level of all-around greatness we may never see again.”
Respect and Rivalry
Nino Schurter, to his credit, has never shied away from praising his rival. Though their duels were intense and often left nothing on the course, Schurter always recognized the magnitude of Van der Poel’s talent.
In a recent interview, Schurter reflected on Van der Poel’s ascent with humility: “Mathieu is the most complete cyclist I’ve ever seen. What he’s done to elevate mountain biking—it’s remarkable. If he is the greatest now, I accept it. I’m proud to have raced against him.”
These words carry weight. Schurter’s reign lasted longer than most sporting dynasties. To see him hand the crown so graciously is a testament not only to Van der Poel’s achievements but to the respect that exists between champions.
The Cultural Shift
Van der Poel’s stardom also accelerated the commercial and cultural growth of mountain biking. Social media exploded with clips of his daring descents and gravity-defying jumps. Fans who once dismissed mountain biking as niche began tuning in. Red Bull reported a 40% viewership increase during XCO broadcasts featuring Van der Poel in 2025.
Bike manufacturers scrambled to replicate the “Van der Poel effect”—aggressive geometry, aero features, and dropper post integration all became fashion statements, driven by his innovations. Young riders worldwide mimicked his style. The way he took corners, shifted weight, or attacked climbs became gospel.
Most importantly, Van der Poel brought character. He celebrated wins with childlike joy, greeted losses with reflective grace, and never shied away from speaking about the pressures of being an elite athlete. Fans didn’t just see a rider—they saw a human.
The Greatest of All Time?
Some will still argue that Nino Schurter’s longevity is unmatched. Others will point to Julien Absalon’s Olympic pedigree. But when considering the weight of impact, the global reach, and the jaw-dropping performances, few can now deny that Van der Poel has rewritten the standard.
He has taken mountain biking out of its insular orbit and placed it on a global pedestal. He’s inspired kids in Ghana, Canada, and Colombia to dream beyond their boundaries. And in dethroning Nino Schurter, he’s done so not with controversy or arrogance, but with a trail of triumphs that speak for themselves.
Looking Ahead
With Olympic Paris 2028 on the horizon and whispers of Van der Poel targeting another gold medal in XCO, his story is far from over. His contract with Alpecin-Deceuninck remains intact, and the team has pledged to fully support his continued quest for multi-discipline greatness.
When asked recently if he sees himself as the greatest, Van der Poel shrugged. “I don’t think like that. I just want to race, enjoy it, and inspire. If people think I’m the best—that’s their choice. I’m just doing what I love.”
And therein lies the beauty of Mathieu van der Poel.
He doesn’t seek titles—they chase him.
