Lenoxx Phommara opens up to Palmen in Motorradsport

Lenoxx Phommara will surely remember 2025 as a very important year on the way towards his goals. The Swiss gathered further experience in the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup and in JuniorGP (where he is racing with the MTA Racing Team), scored multiple point finishes in both series, and also made his debut in the Moto3 World Championship by replacing injured Luca Lunetta at Sachsenring and Brno, with the Sic58 Squadra Corse team.

Born in 2006, Phommara has already shone several times in his career, from when he rode pocket bikes in Italy to when he fought for the title in the Northern Talent Cup back in 2023. His path has not been smooth, also with a break in 2020 and an injury at the beginning of this year, but he is fighting hard to reach the top of motorcycle racing and to honour at best the memory of his mother Nang, who sadly passed away in 2022 due to an illness and to whom he also dedicated his helmet for the 2025 season.

Palmen in Motorradsport had the chance to interview Lenoxx Phommara at the Czech GP in Brno, and it was a valuable chance to know more about Lenoxx, his 2025 campaign, his career and much more.

Lenoxx, let's start from your first experience in the Moto3 World Championship. How was it?

Very positive. I’m really happy with how I was able to work with the team, especially at the Sachsenring. Of course, it’s never easy to jump onto a new bike with a new team, especially at the World Championship level, where the competition is top-tier, but I feel like I adapted well to the Honda. The difference between the Honda and the KTM was quite significant, but I was impressed with how the team works. I learned a lot in just few days, and I know the experience I gained there is crucial for my future.

How did you approach those two weekends?

I didn’t really set any big expectations. My main goal was just to understand everything, get used to the team and the bike, and learn how the team operates. It was my first time on the Honda, and I just wanted to get a good feel for it. In the race, I was able to adapt well and really understood how the bike works.

And how did it feel to be part of the Sic58 Squadra Corse team?

It was a huge honor for me. Some years ago, I raced with pocket bikes in Italy and when I stepped to the 50cc MiniGP class, I worked one year with Luca Pasini, whose team was linked to the Sic58 squad. From the moment I joined, they made me feel very welcome and I settled in quickly. It was really important, because it helped me focus on my work on the bike. Also, the way the team operates in the garage is impressive. I learnt a lot, especially from Marco Grana: his experience is invaluable and every time he spoke to me, I learnt something new. I’m really grateful for the opportunity I got to work with them.  

What are the main differences between the Honda you rode in the World Championship, and the KTM from the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup and JuniorGP?

The biggest difference I felt was with braking and entering corners. The feeling at the front is completely different. With the KTM, you brake hard into the corner and almost use the brakes to help turn the bike. But with the Honda, you don’t brake as much and the bike turns without much input from the brakes. It’s a different riding style and it took me a bit of time to get the confidence to make it work. It’s not an easy thing to adapt to.

Do you think you have a chance to make it to the World Championship in 2026?

It’s hard to say at the moment, but if I can finish this season with some strong results and feel ready, I’ll be prepared when the opportunity arises. If the right opportunity comes, we’ll take it.

Talking more in general about your 2025 campaign, how has this season been for you?

The season started off with a lot of promise, after I spent the winter training really hard in Spain with the Pakosta Riders Factory. I was in great shape for the start of the season, but then I had a couple of highsiders during testing, and the last one caused me to break my left foot before the first Rookies Cup race in Jerez. The recovery took a while, but I decided to return to racing after just four weeks, at the JuniorGP round in Jerez, even though I wasn’t fully healed and still needed crutches to move. Surprisingly, I ended up doing better than I expected, finishing in 14th and 16th place.

Since then, I recovered and was finally able to train properly again. My fitness and endurance took a hit during my recovery, especially since I couldn’t train my lower body, but I got back on track. Unfortunately, I missed several races in the Rookies Cup, but in JuniorGP I missed only one round. Even though the season hasn’t been ideal, I’m just focusing on pushing forward.

Let's go back to the start of your racing journey. How did you first fall in love with motorcycle racing?

My dad is Italian, so we spent a lot of our holidays in Italy, in places like Rimini and Bellaria. During these trips, we passed by pocket bike tracks, and my dad enjoyed doing some laps on rent go-karts or pit bikes. My brother and I were too young to ride back then, but one day we wanted to try it ourselves. We spoke to the owner of one of the tracks, who happened to be a friend of my dad’s, and he said we could try the rental pocket bikes. From the moment we got on, we were hooked. We started riding every time we went back to Italy, and eventually, my dad bought us our first pocket bike.

We began just riding for fun, but one day Luca Pasini came to the track with his team and saw us riding. He asked if we were involved in any championships, and when we said no, he suggested I should give it a go. My dad asked me if I wanted to try, and I was instantly excited. That was the start of my racing career.

Can you tell us about your first few seasons? You raced mainly in Italy, right?

Those early years were probably some of the best of my life. We were just racing pocket bikes in Italy, making new friends and having fun. We didn’t have any big pressure: we just raced. Over the years, we improved and started moving up the ranks, eventually winning a European Championship title and finishing second in CIV, battling with some riders who are now in the world championship. It was a great time, and racing in Italy taught me a lot.  

And then you made the step up to the Northern Talent Cup. How did that happen?

The pandemic interrupted our racing plans in 2020. My mom was sick, and we didn’t want to risk traveling and getting COVID, so we stayed home and focused on training. In 2021, my dad got to know about the Northern Talent Cup, and we decided to give it a shot. It was a great opportunity to compete in a high-level championship. We raced there for three years and in 2023 I fought for the title, but a small mistake in the last race cost me the championship by just a few points (the title finally went to Rocco Sessler, now racing in Asia, ed). Still, I’m proud of what we achieved there, because it opened the door to the Red Bull Rookies Cup and, eventually, to the MotoGP paddock.

How has your father supported you along the way, and what role did your mother play in this?

Racing has been the center of our family life. Everything we did at home revolved around getting closer to our goal. Finding sponsors, organizing training, and all the logistics were a huge part of our daily routine. Living in Switzerland, it's not easy to ride bikes, because we don't have any tracks there. At the beginning we were not even able to train at all: we only did the championships, and that was it. My dad and my mom took care of the management side together. They tried to get sponsors and organize everything at the beginning. My mom was also here for me on the mental side, and more in general, everything was much easier when she was here and helped us.

Do you have any particular memory about your mom, related to racing?

I miss the moments before the race the most. When she gave me a hug, wished me good luck and said that I could do it. Then, after the race, when I got on the podium and she came to hug me. Just these small moments, which mean a lot to me. Sometimes I get emotional by just thinking about it.

You were born in Switzerland, from Italian father and Laotian mother. How much do you feel Swiss, Italian, and Laotian in your identity? 

Well, I feel quite Swiss now, actually. I’ve lived my whole life in Switzerland. But I can speak a little bit of Laotian, which is almost like Thai. Since my mom passed away, though, I’ve lost touch with it a bit. The only people I have left from that side are my grandpa and my mom’s sisters. In general, I feel connected to all three countries. I’m proud to represent Switzerland, Italy and Laos, as I feel a part of all of them.

Do you have any particular traits from those cultures, which you feel they have shaped you?

That’s a good question...Well, I think we all know the Italians! I definitely carry some Italian traits inside of me. My dad’s from Naples, and we spent a lot of time in Italy growing up. So, I think I’ve absorbed a lot of that culture, especially the way Italians are: very open, warm and expressive. They talk with a lot of gestures. I don’t use them as much as Italians do, but I definitely have their energy. Food-wise, I’m really proud to say I have Italian origins, because the cuisine is amazing, but I also love Lao food.  

How do you spend your time off the track? What are your hobbies?

My life has always been about sports. It doesn’t matter what sport I’m doing: if sport is involved, I’m in. I can’t sit still. I love playing padel and football with my friends, or basketball with my brother. At home, I spend a lot of time with my dog. Since this year, being in Spain, I try to stay in shape by cycling, running and working out in the gym. If I get some time off in summer, I might go on vacation with my friends for a week, but the rest of the time I’m training. It’s all about working hard and enjoying the moments, especially when I get to be with my family or friends.

You mentioned your brother, Levin Phommara. How has it been sharing this passion for motorcycle racing over the years?

It’s been amazing, honestly. Having my brother by my side through all of it made everything easier. We trained together, shared the same goals, and went through all the ups and downs. Of course, being the older brother, I had that extra motivation to beat him in everything. But at the same time, it was comforting to know we were both in this together. We shared the sacrifices, the hard work and the disappointments. And of course, the victories. It’s been a special bond, even now that he moved to cycling.

Who are your idols in racing?

Definitely Marco Simoncelli and Valentino Rossi, because they were the big ones for me. But as time went on, I started to admire other riders as well, especially Fabio Quartararo: not only for his riding style, but for how he carries himself as a person. He’s riding a Yamaha, which isn’t the best bike right now, but he’s still fighting at the front. That’s inspiring. I also mention Marc Márquez: what he’s achieved and how he rides is incredible. Even though I admired Rossi and Simoncelli my whole life, I still watch Márquez and try to learn from his technique. And, honestly, it’s hard not to be inspired by his mindset and determination.

Finally, Lenoxx, who would you like to thank for the journey you have had so far in this sport?

First and foremost, I have to thank my dad. We’ve never had it easy, but he’s always been there for me and my brother, supporting us through everything. Without him, we wouldn’t be where we are today. I also want to thank my mom, wherever she is now: she was always there for us, and her support was everything. I promised her that I would make it to the World Championship, and every time I ride, I keep that promise in my heart.

Of course, I also want to thank my coach, Paco Marmol, because he’s been with me every step of the way, and I wouldn’t be here without his guidance. To my family, my team, my sponsors, and everyone who believes in me: thank you so much. I’m grateful for all the support, and I’ll keep pushing to make you proud.

Palmen in Motorradsport thanks Lenoxx Phommara for his time and Nicole Di Stefano, from Sic58 Squadra Corse, for making the interview possible. Best wishes to both the rider and the team for the next races and seasons.