Thias Wenzel (Moto4 Northern Cup): "I aim for the title. My career? It all began in a scrapyard..."

Thias Wenzel has it clear: after finishing third in 2025, he now aims for the title in the Moto4 Northern Cup. Born in 2008, the German rider of the Team NSA has already proven that he can fight for podiums and wins in this series, and he wants to be the champion in a critical season for his career. Besides the N4C, Wenzel will also take part in the Moto4 European Cup (within the MotoJunior paddock) with Team Larresport.

Palmen in Motorradsport decided to interview Thias Wenzel to talk about 2026, his career so far and more.

Thias, how was the start of the season? What's your goal for 2026?

The start was pretty good. I was up front during testing and in the first race, in Assen, I immediately took my first victory. Then, in the second race I finished second, which was also not bad, as I scored some good points. At Sachsenring I finished third in the first race. It was not bad either, but I wanted more for Race 2. However, I finally finished third again, but still scored good points for the standings. My goal is definitely to fight for the title and win.

This is your third season in the Moto4 Northern Cup. What is the most important thing you have learned so far?

How to fight properly, because you have a lot of battles during the races, and how to approach them strategically. I have also learnt that I shouldn't always try to overtake whenever possible: sometimes, it's important to wait a bit and watch where the other rider might be stronger.

In 2026, you are racing in the Moto4 European Cup as well. What's your goal in that series?

I want to learn a lot, finish every race in the top 20 or top 15 and basically score points. That is definitely my goal for the end of the season.

Now let’s go back to the beginning of your career.

My father, my brothers and I often went to the scrapyard and there we saw a pocket bike. We took it home and rode around there on the grass. I really enjoyed it, and then I went to my first course in Germany. After that, we bought another pocket bike and that’s how it all started. It became more and more fun and I wanted more. I later got a bigger bike and from there, my career started and developed.

Can you also talk a little bit about your early seasons, before joining the Moto4 Northern Cup?

I started with pocket bikes, but just for fun without doing any race. Then, I rode in the ADAC Minibike Cup for two years and there I finished 4th and 3rd. Later I moved to the Honda Talent Challenge, again for two years: I won the title in the first year and finished third in the second year. That's when I joined the Moto4 Northern Cup, where I finished tenth in 2024 and third in 2025. Hope things will go even better this year!

What is your goal for the future?

I would love to race in the Red Bull Rookies Cup and then move on to the Moto3 World Championship. It would be a dream to race on all great tracks of MotoGP, as well as it would be special to ride at Sachsenring as a MotoGP rider.

You have already had some Moto4 Northern Cup races in the same weekends as MotoGP, like at Sachsenring and in Brno in 2025. What was it like to race in front of many spectators?

It was crazy, because people were everywhere around us and there were huge crowds in the paddock. You are not just a spectator there, you are actually a rider and all those people are watching you. It is definitely a huge experience, that you never really forget.

Who is your favorite rider?

In MotoGP, I like a few riders such as Maverick Viñales and Jorge Martín. In the lower categories, like Moto3, my favourite rider is Máximo Quiles, for the way he rides and what he did last year. I found it really impressive: he is so young, but still shows riders with a lot of experience in the world championship how things are done. 

Which MotoGP riders have you met so far?

In both 2024 and 2025, I took a picture with Marc Márquez and also with Jorge Martín and Alex Márquez.

Have you ever had so far any moment, when you and your family thought motorcycle racing was probably too expensive to continue?

Yes, of course we watch every cent, because unfortunately it is very expensive. We simply try to present ourselves as professionally as possible, while still keeping costs relatively low. It is about investing the money wisely for my career.

What hobbies do you have besides motorcycle racing?

Besides racing, I like running, cycling or do some strength training. But I don't really have other hobbies as such, because motorcycle racing already takes a lot of time.

Are you still studying or going to school?

No, not anymore actually. I graduated last year. I started an apprenticeship afterward, but I quit because of the time commitment and all the appointments that would have come with it. I have an exemption from compulsory schooling this year and now I am simply focusing on motorcycle racing.

Finally, would you like to especially thank anyone for all the experiences you have had so far in motorcycle racing and also for the future?

Of course, my parents and my whole family. They put a lot of time and money into this, which I really appreciate because it's incredibly costly. I also thank Honda Germany, ADAC Niedersachsen, Sachsen-Anhalt Motorsport Arena Oschersleben and Schleifer Racing Training, who are supporting me this year, and ADAC Stiftung Sport as well. I am very grateful to all these people for supporting me, because without them it wouldn't have been possible to be here.

Palmen in Motorradsport is grateful to Thias Wenzel for his time. Best wishes to him and his team for the next races and seasons.