Thömus-Maxon will compete in 2026 with an unchanged lineup. World champion Alessandra Keller, Mathias Flückiger, Lars Forster, and Vital Albin will continue to represent the team internationally.

Electricity producer Alpiq joins as sponsor

After the successes of recent years, the goal is clear: to further consolidate the team's leading position in international cross country. The highlights of the season include the European Championships on home turf in Rivera (TI), the World Championships in Val di Sole, Italy, and the legendary multi-stage race, Cape Epic. Alpiq is a new partner on board. The Swiss electricity producer is strengthening the long-term planning security of Ralph Näf's team – especially with a view to the 2028 Summer Olympics. Both partners are connected by more than just their commitment to top-level sport: both Alpiq and Thömus-Maxon have strong Swiss roots, pursue international ambitions, and attach great importance to people, culture, and, in particular, the promotion of young talent.Näf says: "Continuity is important to us as an organization. This can be seen in our sponsors and also in our rider lineup. With Alpiq as our new partner, we have laid the foundation to continue on this path of success. The starting point for the 2026 season is therefore clear: we will be fighting for the top step of the podium. We are hungry for World Cup victories, for the European Championships in our own country, the World Championships in Italy, and the Cape Epic, where we want to shine." Alessandra Keller to compete in Cape Epic for the first time Team leader Keller has a special sporting goal in her sights for 2026: competing in the Cape Epic in South Africa for the first time. She will be competing in a two-person team with local hero Candice Lill, who has already achieved several top results in this prestigious stage race. To prepare specifically for the event, Keller spent several weeks on site at the beginning of the year to optimally coordinate equipment, conditions, and teamwork. With the impressions she has gained and her intensive preparation, she is looking forward to this new chapter in her career with motivation. "I'm really looking forward to the Cape Epic. The timing has never been right before. But this year I was able to prepare specifically for this event and it also fits in with the rest of my season planning. In Candice, I have an extremely strong and experienced partner at my side. After that, my whole focus will be on the World Cup. I want to perform well and do my world champion jersey proud," says Keller with a smile on her face. Promoting young talent as a strategic foundation A central component of the long-term strategy remains the systematic promotion of young talent within the Thömus-Maxon structure. The "Alpiq Thömus – Young" team has been repositioned. It is aimed specifically at national riders in the U15 to U19 categories and forms the first performance level within the development pyramid. The U23 top team "Thömus Akros – Youngstars" is already internationally established and has consolidated its position in international competition in recent years. Together, these two teams form the basis of Thömus-Maxon's structured talent development program – with the clear aim of building the world class of tomorrow. New competition equipment: Innovation as a strategic success factor To achieve its sporting goals, the team continues to rely on state-of-the-art technology. Main sponsor Thömus presents the revised Lightrider R3 World Cup 2026, the world champion bike, in an optimized version, thus offering the perfect equipment to achieve the desired success. With consistent development work and the ambition to be at the forefront of technology, the Swiss bike manufacturer keeps pace with international competition and sets standards.

With knowledge of personnel continuity in the elite sector, further strengthened promotion of young talent, long-term partnerships, and innovative technology, Thömus-Maxon is starting the 2026 season with clear ambitions.

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