Tom Lüthi is mentoring Swiss World Championship hopeful Alessio Arnold

Although Switzerland does not have its own permanent Grand Prix circuit, the country has consistently produced top-class riders. One rider who could follow in their footsteps in the future is Alessio Arnold. The 15-year-old from Aargau has moved up to the Moto4 Europe Cup this season as part of the FIM MotoJunior World Championship and is being supported by Tom Lüthi.

Working closely with his manager, the 2005 125cc world champion is mentoring the young Swiss rider as a coach and sporting adviser. “I definitely see Alessio as the next Swiss rider who has the chance to make it to the World Championship,” Lüthi explained in an interview with SPEEDWEEK.com on the sidelines of a Moto4 Europe Cup weekend. “I’m trying to pass on my experience, tips and guidance on key decisions to him.”

As the 2026 Moto4 Europe Cup comprises just seven rounds and does not feature two races every weekend, Arnold is also competing in the Pre-Moto4 class of the Spanish Superbike Championship (ESBK) at the same time.

There, the young rider has a clear goal. Having finished as runner-up last year with five wins and two further podium finishes, he is aiming for the title this time round. “Yes, the title is definitely the goal this year,” said Arnold. “But that has to happen naturally, because for me the ESBK is primarily training for the Moto4 Europe Cup.”

Fully focused on racing

Although Arnold has already been training regularly in Spain with his father Franz, the family has so far lived in Reitnau, in the canton of Aargau. Since completing his compulsory schooling in July, however, the 15-year-old wants to train even more frequently on the Iberian Peninsula. “I want to focus entirely on the sport over the next few years. If I don’t manage to qualify for the World Championship, I’ll do an apprenticeship like everyone else.” The fact that this dream seems realistic is down not least to his talent – but also to a solid financial foundation.

Alessio Arnold

Foto: Thorsten Horn

“We have some excellent sponsors, whom I’d like to take this opportunity to thank warmly. Up until now, my father has organised everything, so we’ve hardly had to spend any of our own money on racing. However, David Kriech – the former manager of Noah Dettwiler and other riders – is now increasingly taking over these responsibilities.”

Arnold’s journey: via Italy to Spain

Arnold began his motorsport career back in 2016 at the age of five in the Swiss Supermoto Championship for the under-50cc class. He remained loyal to this mix of tarmac and off-road racing until 2019, when he was crowned Swiss champion in the 65cc class.

He then moved to the Italian Mini-Bike Championship, where he competed in various classes from 2020 to 2023. In 2024, he made the switch to the Spanish Championship. Last year, Arnold secured five wins, one second place and one third place in what was then the ESBK Talent 250cc class, finishing the season as runner-up.

Arnold knew from an early age that his path would ultimately lead him towards circuit racing. “I was able to ride Supermoto in Switzerland, but even back then my goal was MotoGP,” he explained. The Swiss rider cites former MotoGP World Champion Fabio Quartararo as his sporting role model.