Early life interests

Raphael was born on April 19, 2001, in Winterthur, Switzerland. He had his first experience on two wheels at the age of four, when he received a kids' bike as a birthday gift. Even at that young age, Raphael already had creative ideas on how to use his bike, which became evident when he used it to ride down the 8-step basement stairs at home. It was clear that bicycles would hold a lasting fascination for him.

As his schooling began, Raphael faced his first significant challenges. Concentrating on subjects that didn’t capture his interest proved difficult, and the structure of the school system felt illogical to him at the time. This confusion was later explained by a diagnosis of ADD (attention-deficit disorder), which clarified why many things seemed too fast-paced, hard to comprehend, and purposeless. Despite these struggles, two constant sources of joy and balance remained: riding bikes and improvising on the piano in his free time, particularly in the jazz genre. Growing up in a family of artists, with both parents being professional musicians, Raphael’s introduction to music came naturally. To this day, the piano and music in general remain central to his life.

In early 2010, Raphael discovered Minecraft, a video game without fixed rules or goals, much like riding bikes or playing the piano. By 2013, he uploaded his first gaming videos to YouTube, unknowingly laying the foundation for years of creative growth. Through gaming, Raphael was introduced to video editing and graphic design, skills that have since proven invaluable in various projects.

When it came time to choose a career path, Raphael was unsure which direction to take. He knew that making a living from gaming videos, casually riding bikes, or playing the piano wasn’t realistic. The idea of an office job or a career in business didn’t appeal to him either. As a result, he pursued an apprenticeship as a restaurant specialist, which taught him discipline and brought structure to his life. During the first year of this apprenticeship in 2018, Raphael came across a video that fundamentally changed his life.


The spark for biking & projects

Raphael’s journey into biking began in 2018, when a single video sparked a deep passion for the sport. Drawing on his background in video editing and graphic design, he quickly realized that he could combine these skills with his love for biking. His main goal was to create engaging content that people could relate to, enjoy, and even learn from. Since then, Raphael has been consistently sharing biking content on platforms like Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok, building a global community while also performing live at major biking events.

By 2021, after three years of constantly posting photos and videos, he launched RideSet, initially a YouTube street trials video series that later evolved into his own clothing label. The vision for RideSet was to connect the street trials community and build a sense of belonging. The brand combines riding gear with street fashion, offering a fresh take on what riders wear—both on and off the bike. This project introduced Raphael to new challenges and opportunities, expanding his influence beyond just riding.

Another of Raphael’s key projects is Trialfest, a worldwide street trials groupride series that he organizes annually. Trialfest brings together riders from across the globe, with each event taking place in a different city and country every year. The goal is to create lasting friendships, share riding techniques, and bring the community together for a fun and memorable experience once a year.


Collaborations and Achievements

Raphael has made significant strides in his career as a professional street trials athlete and content creator. In 2022, he was honored with the Creator of the Year Award. Over the years, Raphael has built strong relationships with leading brands like Red Bull, TSG, SQlab, Crankbrothers, Bikeflip, Extention Bicycles, and BikeBase Store, among others, who have supported his journey.

As the most-followed street trials rider in Switzerland, Raphael has cultivated a global community with millions of views across his social media platforms. His work has also been featured in several newspapers, further showcasing his love for sport. Beyond online content, Raphael has performed live at major biking events, including the UCI Road & Para-cycling World Championships 2024, CycleWeek 2024, Road & Logistics Days at the Museum of Transport in Switzerland, Seemerdorfet, RadHof Race, and many more.


Looking forward

"As I look to the future, I’m excited to keep pushing the boundaries of street trials riding and exploring new creative possibilities. My goal is to continue growing the global community, inspiring riders of all levels, and evolving the sport in innovative ways. I’m also eager to develop new projects, collaborate with more brands, and take on challenges that will further elevate my journey as an athlete and creator. I’m sure the best is yet to come and committed to staying on this path for a long time!"