- Comeback in 2026 in the Italian Supersport Championship CIV
- Contract with Kuja Racing, riding a Ducati Panigale V2
- Season opener at the end of April in Misano
Less than a year after his life-threatening accident, the decision has been made. Noah Dettwiler will race again. The 20-year-old Swiss rider has signed a contract with the Italian team Kuja Racing and plans to return to racing outside the World Championship in 2026.
Serious accident with dramatic consequences
The accident occurred during the sighting lap of the Moto3 Grand Prix of Malaysia. In a collision with Jose Antonio Rueda, Dettwiler crashed heavily and suffered life-threatening injuries. At times, the only Swiss Moto3 regular rider at the time was in acute danger of dying. Several emergency operations were necessary before his condition could be stabilized.
It took around ten days before Dettwiler was medically cleared for transport back to Switzerland. There, he underwent a long period of rehabilitation and further medical procedures. For weeks, it remained unclear whether a return to professional racing would even be possible.
Withdrawal from the Moto3 World Championship
The original plan was to enter the Moto3 World Championship in 2026. Dettwiler had received an offer from the Italian team SIC58 Squadra Corse, led by team boss Paolo Simoncelli. However, due to the uncertainty surrounding his recovery, the Swiss rider decided against competing in the World Championship. The team ultimately filled the spot with Austrian Leo Rammerstorfer.
At the time, Dettwiler openly stated that a reliable physical foundation was a prerequisite for such a demanding step. At the same time, he emphasized repeatedly that racing was his passion, his life, and his work, and that he wanted to do everything he could to get back to full fitness.
Conscious return to the Italian Supersport Championship
Instead of a direct comeback at World Championship level, a more cautious path was chosen together with his team. Dettwiler will compete in the Italian Supersport Championship CIV in 2026, where he will race for Kuja Racing. He will be riding a Ducati Panigale V2.
The team expressed its confidence in a statement: “We are ready to put years of passion and technical know-how at his service to aim for the top.” Dettwiler himself is also optimistic about the new challenge:
“I am very excited to start this new adventure with Kuja Racing. I know the history and professionalism of this team and am convinced that it is the ideal environment to reach my full potential. I can’t wait to get on the bike, get to know the crew in the pits, and work hard to get the team to the places it deserves. See you at the racetrack!”
Season opener at the end of April in Misano
The Italian Supersport Championship is scheduled to start at the end of April. The opening event is planned for the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli. The series comprises a total of six events, which should give Dettwiler additional time to gradually get back up to racing speed.
The move to the CIV shows that Dettwiler and his team are committed to a sustainable rebuild. After months of hope and uncertainty, one thing is now clear: the Swiss rider’s racing career is not over, but is entering a new phase in 2026.
What does this mean for me as a motorsport fan?
For motorsport fans, this return is less about sporting results and more about the human dimension of racing. To even think about returning to the starting line after an accident with life-threatening consequences shows how strong the emotional bond many drivers have with this sport is. Dettwiler’s path back does not seem rushed, but rather well thought out, and that is precisely what makes it interesting. A comeback away from the big stage, with reduced pressure and a clear perspective, represents a responsible approach to risk and career. As a fan, this means being able to follow a story that is not driven by titles or victories, but by perseverance, patience, and the will to regain a foothold after an extreme setback.
