Petit Parisien - Tom Lüthi Claims 125cc World Championship in Valencia

Tom Lüthi secured the 125cc motorcycle world championship on Sunday after finishing ninth in the final Grand Prix race at Valencia’s Circuit Ricardo Tormo. The result provided him with sufficient points to overtake his Finnish rival, Mikka Kallio, in the overall standings, clinching the title with a five-point margin.

Lüthi entered the decisive round needing only a 13th-place finish or better to guarantee the championship. Starting from fourth position, the 19-year-old Bernese rider adopted a conservative strategy rather than attempting an early attack on the leaders. He maintained a controlled pace behind the front runners while managing a technical issue that slightly restricted his rear wheel.

"The rear wheel was a bit jammed and braked lightly," Lüthi explained after the race. "I noticed it, but it didn't bother me very much." Despite the mechanical constraint, he crossed the finish line in ninth place, confirming his status as world champion with half a lap remaining. "Actually, the race isn't over until you cross the finish line," he said. "But I was already celebrating the world championship title about half a lap before the end."

The victory marks a historic milestone for Swiss motorsport. Lüthi becomes only the third solo motorcycle world champion from Switzerland, following Stefan Dörflinger two decades prior. He finishes the season with 242 points, having won four races and reached the podium eight times.

In his hometown of Linden in the Emmental region, thousands of supporters gathered to watch the race on screens. The atmosphere shifted from tense silence to celebration as Lüthi’s position held. Residents waved Swiss flags, rang cowbells, and chanted "Hopp Tom, hopp Tom!" Champagne corks popped as the result was confirmed.

Following the race, Lüthi participated in a lap of honor with the Swiss flag and collected his golden helmet. He then posed for photographs with MotoGP champion Valentino Rossi and 250cc world champion Dani Pedrosa. Shortly after, he received a congratulatory call from Swiss Federal President Samuel Schmid, who praised Lüthi’s tactical driving.

Lüthi expressed gratitude to his parents, who were present in Valencia, stating, "Without them, I would never have become world champion." He described feeling exhausted but unable to celebrate immediately due to media obligations.

Upon his return to Switzerland, Lüthi was greeted by a large crowd at Zurich-Kloten Airport. The following week, he was named Sportsman of the Year by the publication Weltwoche, surpassing tennis star Roger Federer. A final celebration was held in Linden one week after the Valencia race, attended by approximately 4,000 fans and former Swiss motorcycle heroes Luigi Taveri, Stefan Dörflinger, and Jacques Cornu.

C.Chevalier--PP