The Team Behind The Team
- Ralph Näf
- Mathias Flückiger
- Alessandra Keller
- Lars Forster
- Vital Albin
- Tamara Marolf
- Gavin Black
- Thomas “Thömu” Binggeli
The fourth episode of the RACE BACK HOME series tells a story of dedication, solidarity and the invisible forces that make success possible. It shows how a team is much more than the sum of its athletes – and why victories and defeats are always experienced together.
The focus is on the people behind the scenes: mechanics,physios, the kitchen crew and the team manager. They ensure that Alessandra Keller, Mathias Flückiger, Lars Forster and Vital Albin are in top form at the start. Their work is mostly invisible – but crucial.
Chief mechanic Gavin Black doesn't count his working hours. For him, Thömus maxon is not just a job, but a vocation and a hobby at the same time. This passion shapes the entire environment. Mathias Flückiger says: ‘In the period after 18 August 2022, I realised who my real friends are. I realised that our team is like a family to me.’
Partners and sponsors also embody this spirit. Thomas Binggeli, founder of Thömus, sums it up: ‘There is still no written contract between Ralph Näf and me; we sealed our partnership with a handshake.’
Episode 4 – The team behind the team reveals what otherwise remains hidden: the close connection between professionalism and humanity,between vocation and friendship. It shows that true strength comes from working together – and that you stick together through thick and thin.
.png)
Mathias Flückiger wins at the U23 World Championships in New Zealand
Ralph Näf crowned himself the first-ever Cross-Country Eliminator (XCE) World Champion in Leogang in 2012.
Alessandra Keller after a muddy 2nd place at the 2015 U23 World Cup in Albstadt.
Ralph Näf at the 2015 Val di Sole World Cup with his youngest fans.
Thömus RN Racing Team – at the beginning in Oberried
Ralph Näf with Youngstar Sirin Städler in Andorra at the UCI XCO World Cup Race
Traning Camp with Thömus maxon Team and Thömus Akros Youngstars Team
Alessandra Keller crowned herself U23 XCO World Champion
World Championship 2018 in Mont Sainte Anne with Mathias Flückiger at the Victory Ceremony
Bruno Diethelm Trainingscamp with Thömus Akros Youngstars Team
Team Thömus Youngstars in 2019 with Marcel Kuratli
The Thömus Lightrider R3 Worldcup – one of the lightest bikes on the World Cup circuit, built for precision, speed, and control.
The first Thömus bike – the Test Tube Baby, conceived and produced in Oberried, Switzerland.
In the production facility in Thörishaus, Switzerland, is where the Lightrider R3 Worldcup is crafted with precision and passion.
A bike built with state-of-the-art technology – for maximum performance and minimal weight. Engineered to lead the World Cup.
Design plans of the Thömus Lightrider R3 Worldcup – where the race machine is born.
Shimano XTR and Thömus Lightrider R3 Worldcup – the perfect combination for the team, delivering robust power, intuitive control, and ultimate performance.
Co-Teammanager Fabian Giger – sometimes the race bike rests… enter the roller bike
Through Hard Times, Together as a Family
Tamara is more than just a physiotherapist – she keeps the team moving at their best
In loving memory of our dear friend and supporter Danilo
Lars Forster and the team capturing a moment in Andorra.
Fueling the team – the Thömus maxon kitchen crew at work
Jean-Luc Halter
Tobias Stasser,
Simon Meirandres
with Andrew Measham
