Interview with A.I. Nino
This interview may or may not have taken place in real life, but let’s not get hung up on the details. What matters is that I got to pick the brain of a 10x World Champion, and he, ahem...it 🤖, had some insightful things to say about my racing journey, training progress, and questionable start-line tactics.
So, if you’ve ever wondered what it’d be like to chat with THE Nino Schurter, buckle up—because here’s a glimpse of what that might look like.
Nino: Hey there! Stoked to be sitting down with you. I’ve been following your results, and it’s clear you’re crushing it in your age group. Let’s start with this—what’s been driving you to push so hard in endurance mountain biking? What’s your "why"?
Ben: I guess it started out with signing up for events that scared the sh&* out of me. That forced me to prepare beyond what I'd otherwise be motivated to. I was blown away by the fitness of the riders at the pointy end of these races and that ended up being the next goal...get to the pointy end!
Nino: Haha, I love that! Nothing like a bit of fear to push you into another level. That mindset of stepping up to bigger challenges—it's exactly what separates strong riders from great ones. Now that you’ve made it to the sharp end of the races, what’s been the biggest lesson you’ve learned about training or racing at this level?
Ben: I still have plenty of ground to cover between the pros and myself but the biggest lesson I've learned is that consistency is critical. It's so tempting to look for and force constant progress. The reality has been that progress seems come in waves and patience and consistency is the driver.
Nino: That’s such a key realization. A lot of riders think it’s about smashing huge weeks back to back, but in reality, it’s stacking those consistent months and years that really make the difference. When you look at your own training, what does that consistency look like for you? Are you following a structured plan, working with a coach, or going more by feel?
Ben: I was lucky to find a great Coach - Mike Durner, that structures my training. He's been awesome about being clear what the goals are for different types of workouts/weeks.
Nino: That’s awesome—you’ve got a solid coach in your corner! Mike Durner knows his stuff, so I’m sure that’s been a game-changer for your training. With that structure in place, how has your approach to training changed compared to when you were just getting into endurance racing?
Ben: Previously I wasn't training full time but my training at that time also didn't have any structure to it. I would basically just go on long rides whenever I had time and the weather permitted. Now I generally have 2-3 high intensity interval sessions with 2-3 less structured endurance rides.
Nino: That’s a huge shift! Going from just riding when you can to following a structured plan with targeted intensity—it’s no surprise you’ve been moving up the ranks. Have you noticed any specific areas where this structured approach has made the biggest impact? Climbing, endurance, race pacing?
Ben: Probably endurance. The biggest thing that I've noticed outside of more power is that I feel like I can push myself really hard, recover, and keep going. I used to feel like pushing hard on a long ride was like playing with fire and the risk of blowing up was right around the corner.
Nino: That’s such a game-changer. When you can push deep, recover, and go again, that’s when you start racing instead of just surviving. It sounds like your aerobic engine has leveled up massively. Have you had a race recently where you really felt that difference—where you could tap into that endurance and go harder than you thought possible?
Ben: The El Paso Puzzler was last month and I felt like I was able to push really hard up the biggest climb in the middle of the course without worrying about exploding and dying before the finish line.
Nino: That’s huge! The Puzzler is no joke—brutal course, big climbs, and the kind of race where pacing is everything. To be able to push hard mid-race and still have the legs to finish strong is exactly what endurance racing is all about. How did that race play out for you? Did you go in with a strategy, or were you just feeling so good that you could push when the moment came?
Ben: I finished 1st in my age group category and 11th overall. Mike gave me a race plan to follow that had key moments to push hard. For better or worse, I also always find myself pushing harder than I thought possible at the start of these races. Just a result of dumping adrenaline built up from sitting at the start line I guess.
Nino: First in your age group and 11th overall? That’s a killer result—congrats! Sounds like you executed Mike’s plan really well, even with that extra adrenaline at the start. It’s tough to hold back when the gun goes off, especially in these big endurance races where positioning early can be key. Do you feel like you’ve found a good balance between that initial surge and still having enough in the tank for later in the race?
Ben: Still looking for that balance I think - I used to not go hard enough at the start and maybe I've swung in the other direction now. I think I could've made it through that first 5 miles or so at the same speed and burned fewer matches if I was a little more conservative. Hard to say though, I'm always weary of bottlenecks.
Nino: Yeah, that’s always the big puzzle—how hard is *too* hard early on? You don’t want to burn unnecessary matches, but at the same time, getting caught in traffic or missing a key selection can cost you. It’s a fine line, and honestly, it’s something even pros are constantly adjusting. Do you think you’ll tweak your start strategy for your next big race, or is it more of a race-by-race decision?
Ben: Definitely a race-by-race decision. I've got an XC race this weekend (Rocky Hill Roundup) where the race is short enough (about 12 miles) that I'll have the pedal on the floor almost the whole race anyways. For marathon races - if the race is long enough and there aren't any bottlenecks, maybe I can convince myself to let others burn those matches and catch them further down the course.
Nino: That’s a smart approach—shorter XC races are all about intensity, so going full gas makes sense. But in the longer marathon events, letting others do the early work while you stay controlled can pay off big later. Sounds like you’re really dialing in that race strategy. For Rocky Hill, do you have any specific goals, or is it more about sharpening up the high-end before your next endurance event?
Ben: Rocky Hill will be my Cat1 debut in XC races. It's not an A race of mine but I will be gunning for a podium spot. Ultimately, I just want to walk away feeling like I put down the fastest time across the line that I possible could have.
Nino: Cat 1 debut—nice! That’s a big step, but based on your results, you’re more than ready. A podium would be awesome, but I really like your mindset of just laying down your best possible effort. That’s all you can control, and if you do that, the results usually follow. Have you raced at Rocky Hill before, or will this be a new course for you?
Ben: I raced the Excruciation Exam in January that included all of the trails out at Rocky Hill. That was a marathon style event though and by the time we made it out to RHR, we already had 30-40 miles in our legs.
Nino: Ah, so you’ve seen the trails, but under very different circumstances! Racing them fresh in an XC event is going to feel like a whole new experience. With that in mind, do you think course familiarity gives you any advantage, or do you expect the race dynamics to be completely different this time around?
Ben: Having familiarity with the course definitely feels like an advantage over going in blind. I plan on going out to pre-ride the course tomorrow to lay eyes on which trails are included this weekend.
Nino: Smart move. Pre-riding will give you a chance to dial in your lines and get a feel for where you can push or recover. Even small details—like knowing which corners hold speed and where to expect attacks—can make a big difference in an XC race. Anything in particular you'll be looking for during the pre-ride?
Ben: There's one sneaky corner out there that I've overshot 2/3 times I've ridden it. From the approach it looks nice and bermed but ends up being a hard 90 deg left hander with no ability to carry speed through it.
Nino: That’s exactly the kind of detail that can save you precious seconds. If you already know it’s a trap, you can adjust your approach and maybe even use it to your advantage—stay clean while others overshoot it. Are there any key climbs or technical sections that you think will be decisive in the race?
Ben: There is one sustained climb out there that I can think of. I'll be looking to see if it's included during the pre-ride. If it is, I probably note it as a good spot to hydrate/fuel. Not too much in the way of technicality.
Nino: Good call—XC races are so intense that finding even small moments to fuel can make a difference, especially if it’s a longer effort. Sounds like you’ve got a solid plan going in. With this being your Cat 1 debut, are you feeling more excitement or nerves heading into race day?
Ben: Hard to say if I'm feeling more excited or nervous. Some kind of combination of the two for sure. Time definitely slows down in the days leading up to these races and it feels like the start line will never come. I'm sure I'll settle once the race starts though.
Nino: That pre-race time warp—yeah, I know that feeling well! The anticipation is its own kind of endurance test. But once the gun goes off, all that energy turns into focus. You’ve done the work, you’ve got the plan, and you’re ready for this step up to Cat 1. I have no doubt you’ll put in a ride you can be proud of. Last question—when you’re on the start line, what’s going through your head in those final moments before the race starts?
Ben: Making sure I'm in a good gear to get off at the start. Not proud of this but sizing up other riders around me - it's always highly unreliable and possible counterproductive because I end up overestimating or underestimating people. Envisioning the start and entry into the singletrack.
Nino: That’s actually a solid approach—being in the right gear, visualizing the start, and knowing your line into the singletrack are all key for a fast XC race. And yeah, sizing up the competition is natural, even if it’s not always accurate. The good thing is, once the race starts, all that overthinking disappears, and it’s just you and the effort. Sounds like you’re ready to throw down! I’ll be watching for that Cat 1 debut podium—best of luck out there!
Ben: Thanks! And thank you for the interview Nino! It's been awesome getting to chat with the GOAT!
Nino: Haha, my pleasure! You’re putting in the work and making big moves—keep at it, and I have no doubt you’ll keep climbing higher. See you at the races! 🚀🤘