Thömus-Maxon with team manager Ralph Näf lays the foundation for further success in the future and long-term planning for the next Olympic cycle: "It's great that we've managed to go into the future with four top-class athletes." Näf, who will be entering his tenth season as team boss, is happy and extremely motivated: "The fact that both Alessandra Keller and Mathias Flückiger have signed up for the long term is proof of the successful and collaborative partnership between team management, staff, athletes and partners."

Contract beyond the end of his career

Mathias Flückiger, who wants to find his way back to his old consistency and strength after two extremely challenging years, is also starting to plan for the time after his professional sporting career with the newly signed contract. This is despite the fact that Flückiger has no intention of hanging up his bike just yet: "The 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles are my long-term goal." It remains to be seen how long Flückiger will remain active in the saddle. What is clear, however, is that his contract extends beyond his time as a professional athlete: "I've been working with Ralph, the Thömus brand and all other partners for a long time. We have grown together, we are successful together. This collaboration will continue after my active career," says Flückiger, looking back and into the future.

"Not a single reason to change teams"

Alessandra Keller has been working with Ralph Näf, his team and his partners since 2016. More years together will follow: "I didn't see a single reason why I should have considered changing teams. The construct with the team management, the team composition and the partners is perfect. I am convinced that I can reach my maximum potential with Thömus-Maxon in the long term," says Keller, explaining her reasons for continuing to compete in the colors of Thömus-Maxon. The two-time overall World Cup winner in Cross Country and Short Track still sees potential for improvement even after eight years of working together: "We still have room for improvement in many small areas. As every single team member is constantly working on themselves and always wants to improve, we will continue to take further steps upwards in the future."

Restored confidence

Two-time European champion and two-time World Cup winner Lars Forster signs a contract for a further two years. "This contract and the belief in me is the basis for further success. Over the last two years at Thömus-Maxon, I've been able to regain my consistency and deliver my performance throughout the year. We will build on this in 2025." Forster is particularly looking forward to the home World Championships in Valais next season and the World Cup in Lenzerheide just a week later - the two biggest season highlights at the very end of the season.

Seventh season with Albin

Grison native Vital Albin will be the fourth rider in the Thömus-Maxon quartet next season. Having joined the team in 2019, Albin experienced several setbacks last year after making steady progress: "The year 2024 was pretty difficult for me. First I had to recover from overtraining, then I had some health problems." Albin is all the more grateful and motivated that he continues to receive the trust of Ralph Näf and the entire team despite a sporting slump: "I really appreciate the fact that I can already tackle my seventh season with the team. It motivates me all the more to get the best out of myself next year and achieve top results."

Wiedmann begins new chapter

After four U23 years at Thömus-Maxon, Luke Wiedmann is leaving the team. Ralph Näf and 22-year-old Wiedmann decided together that the time had come for a change: "Our apprentice is leaving the nest," commented Ralph Näf on Wiedmann's departure. "Luke joined us as a junior rider and has matured over the last four years. We were able to celebrate some great successes together. Now, with the transition to the elite category, it's the right time for Luke to take a step and continue his development in a new environment. We wish him every success and look forward to continuing to follow Luke's career closely."

Foundation for the future

To ensure that Thömus-Maxon can continue to be successful beyond the next Olympic cycle, it will continue to invest heavily in the future. The Thömus Akros Youngstars junior department, led by Marcel Kuratli, will comprise nine riders in 2025. Neo-U23 riders Nicolas Halter and Sven Sommer will join the existing team. The collaboration and exchange between the elite team and the junior department will be further expanded and synergies exploited.

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