Thomus Maxon has traditionally been a Swiss squad. That limitation hasn’t stopped the squad from excelling on the World Cup circuit, it would be hard to imagine a deeper pool of talent than the Swiss mountain bike program. But that all changes in 2027. The team has a big new signing, both figuratively and literally.
Aldridge all alone at the finish line in Quebec in 2025. Photo: Colin Field
Charlie Aldridge & Co.
Charlie Aldridge will join Thomus Maxon for 2027. The big British rider comes over after a very strong season with Cannondale Factory Racing. That included European championships, in XCO and XCC, a World Cup win at Lake Placid and several podiums along the way. Aldrige will be the first international rider to join the squad.
All of those results mattered not, as the powerhouse Cannondale squad had already decided to fold at the end of the season. So Aldridge needed a new home.
A new look to a powerhouse squad
Thomus Maxon decided the time was right to expand beyond its national borders. The two joined forces.
It’s not just Aldridge, though. With him comes his entourage. Phil Dixon joins as Sport Director and Kenta Gallagher as a technical coach also move over to Ralph Näf’s Swiss squad.
Thomus Maxon is already a powerhouse squad, of course. Alessandra Keller is a perpetual podium threat and past world champion. Mathias Flueckiger has long been one of Switzerland’s top cross country talents. Young siblings Nicolas Halter and Monique Halter earned matching rainbow bands at 2026 world championships. It will be interesting to see how the new U.K. influence changes the look and results of the team.
Cole Punchard joined Decathlon Ford for 2027, with a very … interesting… launch theme.
Cannondale relocation program
Aldridge is the latest ex-Cannondale rider to announce a new team for the upcoming season. Canada’s Cole Punchard and double World Cup overall winner Luca Martin move over to Decathlon Ford. Jolanda Neff moves to a multi-disciplinary Fenix-Premier Tech team, opening up more road and cyclocross racing for her season.