The two-time European MTB champion Lars Forster joins the team Thömus maxon. Forster will make his debut in the red colors of the Swiss mountain bike team already on 2. January 2023, at the final of the Swiss Cyclocross Cup in Meilen. Thömus maxon also presents ASSOS, a new clothing partner.
Team Thömus maxon enters the 2023 season even stronger and even more broadly positioned. With the signing of 29-year-old Lars Forster, team boss Ralph Näf’s squad will be competing with three riders in the elite men’s category for the first time. Mathias Flückiger and Vital Albin will have a third strong man at their side: “We are very pleased to have signed Lars Forster. Despite his two European Championship titles, his World Cup victory in Snowshoe in 2019 and other international victories, Lars still has great untapped potential. In addition, he also fits very well into the team on a personal level,” says Ralph Näf, explaining the reasons for signing Lars Forster.
Forster: “The decisive factor was trust”.
Lars Forster, on the other hand, is very much looking forward to the new collaboration with Thömus maxon: “The decisive factor for me was that Ralph and the team have placed their trust in me and believe in me. That gives me great confidence. What’s more, Thömus maxon has everything it takes to be successful: a professional environment, a super team spirit and great equipment.”
The goals for Thömus maxon are clear, as Ralph Näf looks ahead: “We want to win World Cup races, national and international titles this season and be one of the world’s best mountain bike teams!” These objectives also match those of Forster. The newcomer wants to be in top shape already at the start of the season and the first World Cups. Forster’s biggest goal for the season is the World Championships in August in Glasgow, Scotland, the same place where he won his first European title in 2018.
ASSOS new clothing partner
There is also a new addition to report in the area of partners. The team is now dressed by the traditional Swiss brand ASSOS. This makes Thömus maxon even more “Swiss”. The motivation is extremely high to ride into the international spotlight with the high quality ASSOS products. The new jersey is still based on the color red from the main sponsor Thömus and convinces with its simple, classic and yet very eye-catching design.
Cross-country cycling as the start of the season
As in previous years, the season will be launched with two cross-country cycling events. Alessandra Keller, Vital Albin, Luke Wiedmann and Lars Forster will perform on Monday, 2. January 2023, at the Radquer Meilen. This is also the final of the Swiss Cyclocross Cup. Barely two weeks later, the Swiss Championships in Mettmenstetten (January 15) are on the agenda. After that, the focus will be on preparing for the MTB season.
Lars Forster in a nutshell:
Date of birth: 1. August 1993
Height/weight: 177 cm, 68 kg
Greatest achievements:
European champion 2018 and 2021
World Cup victory Snowshoe (USA) 2019
Cape Epic overall victory 2019
Swiss champion cyclo-cross 2016, 2018, 2020