Austria is a country known for its beautiful landscapes, stunning alpine peaks, and world class motorcycle racers. From former MotoGP champions to national heroes, Austria has some of the best motorcycle racers in the world.
Whether it’s on the track or off-road, the Austrian riders have always shown great potential and skill in the sport. In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the best motorcycle racers from Austria, from the past to the present.
From past champions to current stars, we’ll explore the amazing stories of these Austrian riders and their incredible achievements on two wheels. So join us as we take a look at the best motorcycle racers in Austria.
1. August Auinger
August “Gustl” Auinger was a professional motorcycle racer who hailed from Austria. During his career, he achieved many successes, but his best year was 1985. During that season, he reached the podium in the 125cc world championship, finishing in third place.
This success was partly due to the fact that he won three Grand Prix races during the year. In total, Auinger won five Grand Prix races throughout his career, a remarkable achievement.
His skill and determination on the track ensured that he was a household name in his home country of Austria. Auinger was a true inspiration to aspiring motorcycle racers, as he showed that with hard work and dedication, anything is possible.
2. Harald Bartol
Harald Bartol is a professional racer with an impressive career.
He is an Austrian former professional Grand Prix motorcycle road racer and was also an engine tuner and Technical Director for the KTM racing team. He began his racing career in the late 1970s, and over the years he achieved a number of impressive results on the track.
As an engine tuner, he worked closely with top-level teams and riders, helping them to reach their maximum potential.
After retiring from racing, he took on the role of Technical Director for the KTM racing team, where he was responsible for developing and overseeing the team’s performance. Harald Bartol has a wealth of experience in racing and engine tuning, and his accomplishments in the sport have earned him a great deal of respect in the motorcycling community.
He is a talented and experienced racer, and his expertise has been instrumental in helping teams and riders reach their goals. He is an important figure in the world of motorcycling, and his contributions to the sport will be remembered for years to come.
3. Hans Hummel
Hans Hummel was a successful Austrian professional Grand Prix motorcycle road racer in the late 1970s and early 1980s. He achieved his greatest success in 1980 when he finished third in the 50cc world championship.
This was a remarkable achievement, as he was competing against some of the most talented riders of the era, including Eugenio Lazzarini of Italy and Stefan Dörflinger of Germany.
Hummel was able to compete on a world-class level, and his third-place finish was a testament to his skill and determination. Hummel retired from professional racing in 1982, but his legacy as one of the top racers of the era lives on.
4. Rupert Hollaus
Rupert Hollaus was a remarkable Austrian Grand Prix motorcycle road racer who raced for the NSU factory racing team. He made history as the first Austrian to win a road racing World Championship and, even more remarkably, he did so posthumously.
Hollaus was an incredibly talented racer who achieved a great deal of success in a short amount of time. He was an inspiration to many and his legacy continues to live on. Hollaus’ career was tragically cut short in 1954, but his legacy lives on to this day.
He made history as the first Austrian to win a road racing World Championship and was the first racer to do so posthumously. His achievements in the sport of motorcycle road racing were remarkable and he was an inspiration to many.
His success was a testament to his skill and dedication to the sport, and he remains to this day a source of pride for Austria. Hollaus’ legacy will continue to live on for many years to come.
His incredible story will continue to inspire racers to strive for greatness and push the boundaries of what is possible. He will be remembered for his achievements in the sport and his dedication and passion for racing.
Hollaus was a true inspiration, and his remarkable story will continue to be told for years to come.
5. Bert Schneider
Bert Schneider was a professional motorcycle road racer from Austria. He had a successful career in the sport, particularly in 1962 and 1964. In 1962, Schneider placed fourth in the 500 cc world championship.
He achieved a similar result the following year, coming in fourth in the 125 cc world championship. Furthermore, in 1963 Schneider was able to win a single Grand Prix race: the 125 cc Belgian Grand Prix.
This victory marked a great accomplishment for the Austrian racer, one that he would never be able to top. Schneider’s success in the sport was a testament to his skill and determination, and he is remembered as one of the greats of Grand Prix motorcycle racing.
6. Rudi Thalhammer
Rudolf Thalhammer was a successful Austrian motorcycle racer. He was a Grand Prix rider, and he made a name for himself in the world of motorsport. In 1961, he achieved his greatest success, finishing sixth in the 350cc world championship.
This impressive result put him on the map as a top international racer. In addition to competing in the world championship, Thalhammer was a three-time Austrian national champion.
This strongly suggests that he was one of the best riders in Austria and that he was a force to be reckoned with on the race track. His impressive national and international accomplishments make him a legend in the motorsport world.
7. Karl Gall
Karl Gall was an Austrian motorcycle racer who made his mark in the sport by competing with the works BMW motor-cycle team. The team is known for its prestigious achievements and produces some of the most powerful, modern motor-cycles in the world.
As a result, Karl Gall was one of the most distinguished racers in the sport. In addition to racing with the BMW team, Karl Gall was also a former German national motor-cycle champion.
This means that he had won the German national championships at least once in his career, an impressive feat. He was well-respected by the motor-cycle racing community and held in high regard for his achievements.
Karl Gall was a professional racer who had a great love for the sport, and his accomplishments on the track reflect that. He was an inspiration to many riders and will be remembered for his skill and dedication to the sport.
8. Michael Ranseder
Michael Ranseder is a professional motorcycle racer from Austria who currently participates in the IDM Superbike Championship. Ranseder began his career in 2005 when he achieved his first points in the Catalunya Grand Prix.
Since then, he has been a regular competitor in the Grand Prix series and has earned numerous points and accolades. He is a well-known name in the world of motorcycle racing, and his impressive track record speaks volumes of his skill and commitment.
Ranseder is a passionate racer who has continued to strive for excellence and success in the sport of motorcycle racing.
9. Klaus Klaffenböck
Klaus Klaffenböck is a renowned Austrian motorcycle racer who has achieved great success on the international stage. He is the current FIM World Sidecar Champion and was previously the team-principal of the Klaffi Honda World Superbike team.
This team featured some of the best riders in the world, such as Alex Barros, Frankie Chili and Max Neukirchner. As a racer, Klaffenböck has had numerous podium finishes in international events and has won multiple world titles in his career.
He is an inspiration to many aspiring racers and is a true testament to the power of dedication and hard work.
10. Manfred Magnus
Manfred Magnus is a well-known Austrian former motorcycle racer who had a successful career. He was a five-time Austrian Motorcycle Champion, winning the title in each year from 1968 to 1972.
During this time, he was widely regarded as one of the best riders in the country and was highly respected by his peers. In addition to his five championship titles, Manfred also had numerous other accomplishments throughout his career.
He won numerous international races, including the prestigious Grand Prix of Austria in 1971.
He was also a regular participant in the Austrian Championships, regularly competing in the World Championships and European Championships. In addition to being a successful racer, Manfred was also an instructor and mentor for young riders.
He was an active member of the Austrian Motorcycle Association and was heavily involved in the development of the sport in Austria.
He was also an active supporter of motorcycle safety measures, helping to promote the use of protective gear and encouraging riders to take safety classes. Manfred’s career was a true testament to his skill, determination, and commitment to the sport.
His accomplishments and contributions to the sport of motorcycle racing are still remembered today by fans and fellow riders alike.
11. Philipp Eitzinger
Philipp Eitzinger is an Austrian motorcycle racer who competes in Grand Prix races. He is an accomplished and experienced rider with a long history of success. Eitzinger originally began racing in the 1990s and has been competing ever since.
He has had numerous podium finishes, including winning the Austrian Superbike Championship in 2004 and the Austrian Superstock Championship in 2011. Eitzinger has competed in a variety of Grand Prix classes, including MotoGP, Moto2, and Moto3.
He has also raced in the World Endurance Championship and the World Superbike Championship. In addition to his racing successes, Eitzinger has also worked as a test rider and mentor for several teams and riders.
He is a well-respected and experienced competitor in the motorcycle racing world.
12. Matthias Walkner
Matthias Walkner is a professional rally raid biker from Austria. He has a long history in the sport, beginning with his days as a motocross rider.
He is now an official driver of the Red Bull KTM Factory team for the Dakar Rally, one of the most challenging and prestigious off-road racing events in the world. Walkner has been racing professionally for over a decade and is one of the most successful bikers in rally raid racing.
He has won several races, including the 2017 Dakar Rally, and has achieved numerous podium finishes throughout his career.
His skill and determination have earned him the respect of his peers and have made him one of the most successful riders in the sport. Walkner is also a passionate ambassador for the sport.
He has been involved in numerous initiatives to promote rally raid racing, and he has also taken part in various charity events. With his success and dedication to the sport, he has become an inspiration to many aspiring rally raid bikers.
He is also a dedicated family man, with a wife and two children. Matthias Walkner is an incredible rider and an inspiration to many.
His passion and dedication to the sport are evident in every race he participates in, and his success has cemented his place as one of the greatest rally raid bikers of all time.
13. Maximilian Kofler
Maximilian Kofler is an Austrian professional motorcycle racer who is set to compete in the 2022 Supersport World Championship. He has signed a contract with CM Racing Ducati, a team that specializes in the production of Ducati race bikes.
Kofler is an experienced motorcycle competitor, having participated in various world championships, including the 2020 FIM Superstock 1000 Cup, where he finished in third place.
His signing with CM Racing Ducati is an exciting development for the team, as they hope to achieve success in the upcoming season. Kofler is looking forward to the upcoming season and is confident that the partnership between CM Racing Ducati and himself will be a fruitful one.
With his experience in the world of motorcycle racing and the support of CM Racing Ducati, he is hoping to make a splash in the 2022 Supersport World Championship.
14. Manfred Stengl
Manfred Stengl was a renowned Austrian luger who was born in Salzburg. He was an engineer by profession, working in the construction of roads.
His athletic career was most notably highlighted by his gold medal win in the men’s doubles event at the 1964 Winter Olympics in Innsbruck. This was a remarkable feat for both Manfred and the Austrian luging team, as they were able to bring home a gold medal for their country.
Manfred’s success in the sport of luge was an inspiration to many, as it showed that hard work and dedication can pay off. His legacy in the sport will not be forgotten, and his name will go down in history as a great Austrian luger.
15. Heinz Kinigadner
Heinz Kinigadner is a legendary Austrian former professional motocross racer. His career in the Motocross World Championships spanned from 1978 to 1988.
During this time, he became the first Austrian to win an FIM motocross world championship, a feat he accomplished twice, winning consecutive 250cc motocross world championships in 1984 and 1985.
This made him a household name in Austria, and his success has been a source of inspiration for future generations of Austrian motocross racers.
His accomplishments also increased international interest in Austrian motocross, and he is remembered as one of the greatest motocross racers of all time.
Despite his retirement from professional racing, Kinigadner has remained active in the sport, working as a coach and mentor for young up and coming racers.
He also serves on the FIM World Motocross Commission, ensuring that the sport continues to grow and develop in accordance with its regulations.
16. Dieter Quester
Dieter Quester is a former professional race car driver from Austria. After a successful career in touring car racing, Dieter retired in the early 2000s. During his career, he participated in an astonishing 53 24-Hour Races, which is a testament to his skill and endurance.
He also made a brief appearance in Formula One, the pinnacle of motorsport, where he finished a respectable ninth place. This feat is all the more impressive considering he was up against some of the best drivers in the world.
After retiring, Dieter has gone on to be an ambassador for the sport, as well as a commentator and analyst for several major racing events.
Conclusion
The best motorcycle racers in Austria are some of the most talented and experienced riders in the world. Their skill and dedication to the sport are unparalleled, and their passion for racing is evident in their performances.
It is no wonder that many of the riders from Austria have achieved success in international competition. These riders have set an example for future generations of motorcycle racers and will continue to be remembered for their achievements and contributions to the sport.
