The thru axle stiffens the fork from any lateral movement.
It does essentially the same job as the arch at the top of the sliders. It makes both sides of the fork act as one!
Yes it does work.
The rack thingy requires a converter that you put onto your forks using the thru axle and it has tabs that allow you to use it on a standard rack.
See this link:
http://www.bicycle-fork-adapter.com/
This is just one company that makes these. There is another and their product is called the "Fork-Up" but I couldn't find the link.
L8R
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