Transfers are the order of the day in top-class sport. Top athletes kiss the logo on the club jersey today and tomorrow they are already playing for another team. Not so Sepp Freiburghaus. The 29-year-old from Bern was already riding in the colors of the Swiss bike manufacturer Thömus as a young child. A change was never an option for Freiburghaus. Even when attractive offers from other MTB teams were on the table. Now, after more than 20 years with the Thömus Racing Team, Freiburghaus is calling it quits and hanging up his bike.

The reason for his retirement is the conflict between top-class sport, career and training. As a semi-professional, Freiburghaus works part-time as an electrician. With his victory in Nove Mesto, Freiburghaus joins the small circle of World Cup winners. Calls up for the national team, participation in numerous world and European championships, a bronze medal at the home European Championships in Bern, three Swiss championship runner-up titles (MTB and road time trial) as well as numerous victories and podium places in international and national mountain bike races round off Freiburghaus' palmarès.

Despite his retirement, Freiburghaus is not completely withdrawing from mountain biking. "This sport has given me a lot. It is an important and big part of my life, a deep passion". He will work as a consultant in product management at Thömus and introduce CEOs and top managers to the secrets of mountain biking as a VIP guide at events. "I'm looking forward to this future. Not having to train for once, but simply going biking!" summarizes Freiburghaus.The Thömus Racing Team has been strengthened by Marc Stutzmann (25, Rüfenacht) following the departure of its long-time captain. He will be the new team leader of the young Bernese team. The Thömus Racing Team also includes Maja Rothweiler (Moosseedorf), Flurina Glaus (Gümligen), Romaine Wenger (Ernen), Pascal Nay (Zizers), Stefan Vögeli (Beckenried) and Christian Biffiger (Glis).