The Czech Republic has a proud history of motorcycle racing, with many of the world’s best riders having come from this small European nation.
From the legendary Jaroslav Katriňák to the current crop of competitive riders, the Czech Republic has established itself as one of the top destinations for motorcycle racing. In this article, we will explore some of the best Czech motorcycle racers in history.
We will look at their achievements, their backgrounds, and their current status in the sport. Whether you are an avid fan of the sport or just curious to learn more about the best Czech riders, this article is sure to provide you with a wealth of information.
1. Lukáš Pešek
Lukáš Pešek is a professional motorcycle racer from the Czech Republic. He competes in two major motorcycling championships; the Alpe Adria Road Race Superbike Championship and the Endurance FIM World Championship.
To do this he rides a BMW S1000RR, which is a powerful and capable bike. In 2016 he achieved great success in the Alpe Adria Road Race Superbike Championship, becoming the overall champion of the series.
This was a remarkable accomplishment for him and it serves as a testament to his skill and determination as a motorcycle racer.
His success in the Alpe Adria Championship has earned him recognition among his peers and has helped to cement his place as one of the top riders in the Czech Republic.
2. Jakub Kornfeil
Jakub Kornfeil is a Grand Prix motorcycle racer from the Czech Republic. He is a highly skilled and experienced racer, having been active in the sport since 2009. In that year, he won the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup, a competition for up-and-coming racers.
Kornfeil continued racing in the Moto3 World Championship from 2009 until 2019. During this time, he achieved a number of impressive results, including a podium finish in the 2013 Grand Prix of Italy.
In 2020, Kornfeil changed his focus and began racing in the MotoE World Cup, representing the WithU Motorsport team. Despite the challenging circumstances of the pandemic, he still managed to achieve impressive results throughout the season.
Overall, Jakub Kornfeil is an accomplished motorcycle racer with a wealth of experience in the sport. He has proven himself to be a highly competitive rider and is sure to continue to be successful in his chosen profession.
3. Andrea Toušková
Andrea Toušková is a pioneering motorcycle racer from the Czech Republic. She is a Grand Prix motorcycle racer, having competed in multiple races throughout her career.
She is the first woman to represent the Czech Republic in an international motorcycle race. Toušková began her racing career in 2009 when she entered the Czech National Championship.
She quickly rose to the top of the standings, and within a year, she was competing at the world level.
Her first race was the German Grand Prix in 2010, where she finished in ninth place. Since then, Toušková has gone on to compete in five other Grand Prix races, with her best finish coming in the 2012 Dutch Grand Prix, where she finished in fourth place.
She has also competed in several other races around the world, including the Isle of Man TT and the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup. Toušková’s career has been a very successful one, and she is an inspiration to many aspiring female racers.
She is a testament to the fact that anything is possible if you put your mind to it. Her success has also helped to shed light on the success of female racers in the international racing world.
4. Patrik Vostárek
Patrik Vostárek is a talented Czech motorcycle racer who has achieved success in many different racing circuits. He has competed in the 125cc World Championship, the European Superstock 600 Championship, the Supersport World Championship and the Moto2 World Championship.
His impressive skill and dedication to the sport have earned him many accolades, including a win of the Czech Supersport Championship in 2011. Vostárek has been racing professionally since 2006, and his career has taken him around the world.
He has competed in some of the most prestigious championships in the world and has consistently placed in the top 10. His greatest victory to date is his win of the Czech Supersport Championship in 2011.
This victory was especially sweet for Vostárek, as it was his first major championship win and it was achieved in his home country of Czech Republic. Vostárek’s dedication to the sport has been unwavering, and he continues to strive for success in all of his races.
His hard work and determination have gotten him to the top of many prestigious racing circuits, and his impressive career is sure to continue for many years to come.
5. Ladislav Chmelík
Ladislav Chmelík is a professional Grand Prix motorcycle racer hailing from the Czech Republic. He is currently competing in the Superstock 600 FIM Europe Championship, the premier class of the European National Motorcycle championship.
To compete, Chmelík is representing the DRT Racing Team and is racing on a Yamaha YZF-R6. This is a high-performance racing motorcycle, which is designed for speed and agility. Ladislav Chmelík is no stranger to the world of motorcycle racing.
He has been competing in the sport for several years and has proven himself to be a fierce competitor. His performances have earned him a place in the world rankings, and have also resulted in several podium finishes.
He is always striving to improve his performance and push the limits of what is possible on the track. The Superstock 600 FIM Europe Championship is a highly competitive racing series, with riders from all over the world competing for the top spot.
Chmelík is competing against some of the best riders in the world, and his performances have been impressive. He is currently in the top 10 of the Superstock 600 FIM Europe Championship standings, and his determination and skill is sure to take him even higher in the rankings.
The DRT Racing Team is a professional outfit that has been competing in the Superstock 600 FIM Europe Championship for several years. Chmelík is proud to be part of the team and is looking forward to continuing to improve his performance on the track.
The Yamaha YZF-R6 is the perfect machine for him, as it is designed to be lightweight and agile, with plenty of power for the track. Overall, Ladislav Chmelík is a talented Grand Prix motorcycle racer from the Czech Republic.
He is currently competing in the Superstock 600 FIM Europe Championship for the DRT Racing Team and is riding a Yamaha YZF-R6. His performances in the series have been highly impressive, and he is sure to continue to climb the rankings in the coming months.
6. Karel Abraham
Karel Abraham is a former professional motorcycle racer from the Czech Republic. He had a long and successful career, competing in Grand Prix motorcycle racing from 2005 to 2019.
During this period, he raced in the 125cc, 250cc, Moto2 and MotoGP classes, covering almost every major motorcycle racing event. However, in 2016, Abraham decided to take a break from Grand Prix racing and instead compete in the Superbike World Championship.
This marked a significant departure from his usual racing style and was an impressive feat for the Czech racer, who was well-known for his competitive spirit.
Despite his departure from Grand Prix racing in 2016, Abraham was able to return to the sport in 2017 and went on to compete for another two years until his retirement in 2019.
7. Karel Majek
Karel Majek is a professional motorcycle racer from the Czech Republic. He is a Grand Prix motorcycle racer, which is the highest level of motorcycle racing in the world. Majek began his racing career in the Czech Republic in the 1990s, competing in both road and track racing.
He has since competed in various international races, including the World Superbike Championship and the World Endurance Championship.
He has won several races and championships, including the Czech Republic National Championship in 1995 and the Czech Republic Superbike Championship in 1998. Majek has also raced in the MotoGP and the European Superstock championship.
He is known for his aggressive riding style and has been praised for his ability to stay calm in difficult situations. His success in Grand Prix racing has earned him a spot among the world’s top motorcycle racers.
Majek is currently a part of the prominent Czech racing team, Team Speedway. He continues to compete in various international races and has earned a reputation as one of the best riders in the world.
He is an inspiration to many aspiring racers and continues to show that he has what it takes to compete at the highest levels.
8. Michal Šembera
Michal Šembera is a talented Grand Prix motorcycle racer hailing from the Czech Republic. Having competed in several motorsports events in his home country, he is now taking part in the Alpe Adria Road Race Superbike Championship, a prestigious international racing series.
Michal is currently riding a BMW S1000RR, a powerful and reliable motorcycle renowned for its speed and agility. As he competes against some of the best racers in the world in this competition, Michal is sure to give a good performance and show off his impressive skills.
While he will face stiff competition, Michal is sure to make his mark in the sport and show that he is a force to be reckoned with.
9. Jakub Gurecký
Jakub Gurecký was a Czech motorcycle racer who specialized in junior competitions. He was part of the Brno Circuit Junior Racing team, a Czech-based racing group, and his passion for the sport was evident from a young age.
Gurecký began racing at just eight years old and quickly rose to prominence in the junior circuit. From there, he was able to hone his skills and compete with other racers on a higher level.
He was a highly-respected racer in his home country, and his dedication to the sport was inspiring to those who watched him race. He raced professionally until the age of 21 when he retired to focus on his studies.
Although his racing career was short-lived, Jakub Gurecký was an important contributor to the racing community in the Czech Republic.
10. Michal Filla
Michal Filla is a professional motorcycle racer from the Czech Republic. He has been competing in the sport since 2007 and has achieved considerable success in the process.
He has won several Czech championships, as well as two European championships in the Superstock 600 and Superstock 1000 classes.
He also won the FIM CEV Superstock 1000 title in 2016. Filla has competed in the Moto2 World Championship, the FIM CEV Repsol Championship, and the European Superstock 1000 Championship.
He has consistently been a front-runner in each of these series, often leading the pack with his aggressive riding style.
He has also raced for multiple teams, including the KTM Factory Racing team and the Kallio Racing team. Michal Filla is known for his impressive riding skills and his ability to adapt to different tracks. He is also known for his determination and dedication to the sport.
He has worked hard to improve his technique and is always pushing himself to do better. He is an inspiration to all riders and is an important figure in the world of motorcycle racing.
11. Jaroslav Huleš
Jaroslav Huleš was a celebrated Grand Prix motorcycle road racer from the Czech Republic. He was born in 1988 and died tragically in 2018, only a few days after his 30th birthday. On that day, Jaroslav attempted suicide, leaving behind a four-year-old son.
His death was a shock to the entire racing community, who had watched him become a successful and respected racer over the years. Jaroslav had a meteoric rise in the racing world, quickly becoming one of the best riders in the Czech Republic.
His top finishes in the Grand Prix series earned him respect and admiration from fellow racers and fans alike.
His passion for the sport was evident in his racing style, and his skill on the track was unmatched. Despite his success, Jaroslav had been struggling with personal issues for some time.
It is believed that the pressure of his career, combined with his mental health issues, was too much for him to handle.
On the day of his 30th birthday, he made the heartbreaking decision to end his life. Jaroslav’s death was a devastating loss to the racing community, and his four-year-old son was left without a father.
His memory is still honored by the racing world, and his legacy will never be forgotten. His death serves as a reminder of the struggles that many racers face and the importance of mental health awareness.
12. Bohumil Staša
Bohumil Staša was a talented Grand Prix motorcycle road racer from the former Czechoslovakia. He began his Grand Prix career in 1961 and went on to become a successful racer in the 350cc world championship.
His best years as a rider for the ČZ factory racing team were in 1968 and 1969 when he ended the seasons in eighth place in the 350cc world championship.
Staša was a determined and skillful rider who proved himself in the competition, and his eighth-place finishes were a testament to his hard work and dedication. He was a well-respected rider in the Grand Prix racing circuit and was a pioneer for his country in the sport.
13. František Šťastný
František Šťastný was a Czech Grand Prix motorcycle road racer who began his sports career as a bicycle racer. In 1948, he competed in the Peace Race, and his first motorcycle race was in 1947 on a DKW motorcycle.
He ultimately competed in the Czechoslovak Grand Prix with a used Norton motorcycle, placing 7th. Šťastný’s journey as a professional racer began when he entered the Peace Race in 1948. This race was a major East-West cycling race that ran between the years 1947 and 1990.
Despite being a cyclist, Šťastný decided to switch to motorcycles and competed in his first race in 1947 on a DKW motorcycle. He continued to compete in multiple races, until he eventually competed in the Czechoslovak Grand Prix with a used Norton motorcycle, placing 7th.
Šťastný’s accomplishments as a motorcycle racer are impressive, considering he started his career as a bicycle racer. His success is a testament to his dedication and hard work, as he was able to switch sports and still compete and place highly in events.
His legacy still lives on in the world of motorcycle racing, and he will be remembered for his accomplishments.
14. Gustav Havel
Gustav Havel was an accomplished Grand Prix motorcycle road racer from the former Czechoslovakia. He began his Grand Prix racing career in 1961 riding with the Jawa team. That same year, he had his best season, finishing third in the 350cc world championship.
He was bested by Gary Hocking of England and his own Jawa teammate František Šťastný.
Havel was a consistent and reliable rider, and his third place finish in the championship was indicative of his talents and abilities. Havel had a career that spanned over a decade, but his best season was undoubtedly the 1961 season in which he finished third.
His success that season was a testament to his hard work and dedication to the sport. He was able to remain competitive and consistent throughout the season and was rewarded for his efforts with a third place finish in the world championship.
Gustav Havel was an integral part of the Jawa team in 1961 and his third place finish in the championship was a great accomplishment. He was able to compete against some of the world’s best riders and even beat his teammate to the podium.
His success had a lasting effect on Czechoslovakian motorcycling and he will always be remembered as one of the greats of the sport.
15. Josef Macháček
Josef Macháček is a remarkable Czech four-wheeler motorcycle rider and rally raid driver who has achieved great success in his sport.
He has won the 2009 Dakar Rally in the quad category and then made history by claiming the 2021 Dakar Rally in the lightweight prototype category, becoming the first rider to do this in both categories.
In addition to his impressive accomplishments, Macháček also holds the record as the oldest winner of the Dakar Rally, an impressive feat that demonstrates his dedication and skill.
Since 2009, Macháček has been a consistent presence in the sport, consistently delivering exceptional performances and pushing himself to new heights.
His achievements are a true testament to his passion and dedication to the four-wheeler and rally raid driving and serve as an inspiration to all who have ever dreamed of competing in the Dakar Rally.
16. Zdenek Schneiderwind
Zdenek Schneiderwind is a former speedway rider who was well-known for his success in a variety of competitions. He is most notable for his successes in speedway, Longtrack and Grasstrack Racing.
In speedway racing, Schneiderwind reached two World Longtrack world championship Finals and thirteen Grand-Prix series. He also had great success in Grasstrack Racing, appearing in eighteen European Grasstrack Champion finals and winning the championship twice.
His success in these different racing styles has cemented his legacy as one of the most successful speedway riders of all time. Schneiderwind was a multi-talented racer who was able to adapt to different racing styles and excel in each of them.
His success in multiple disciplines has set the bar for future generations of speedway riders.
17. Jakub Smrž
Jakub ‘Kuba’ Smrž is an accomplished motorcycle road racer who is currently competing in the prestigious Superbike World Championship. He is riding on a Yamaha YZF-R1, a high-performance motorcycle renowned for its power and agility.
Kuba has been participating in this series since 2017 and has established himself as a formidable competitor, consistently challenging the top riders in the championship. Kuba is a passionate rider and has been involved in the sport since he was a young child.
He was first introduced to motorcycling by his father, who was an amateur racer. Kuba started racing competitively at the age of 14 and has since worked his way up the ladder, competing in various international series.
He has achieved several impressive results in the Superbike World Championship, including a win at the 2020 Portuguese Round and a podium finish at the 2021 Spanish Round. Kuba is dedicated to the sport and is always looking to improve and push the boundaries.
He is constantly striving to be the best and is determined to make his mark in the world of motorcycle road racing.
18. Miroslav Popov
Miroslav Popov is a Czech motorcycle racer who has made a name for himself in the world of motorcycling. Born in the Czech Republic, he first began riding motorcycles when he was a teenager.
He started competing in motorcycle races shortly after and quickly rose to the top of the sport. He has since become one of the most successful racers in the country, having won multiple national and international titles.
Popov is most famous for his incredible skill and speed on the track, which have earned him the nickname, “The Czech Tornado.” He is also known for his daring and fearless attitude when it comes to racing, which has earned him a large and loyal following of fans.
Miroslav Popov is a living legend in the world of motorcycle racing, and his success is a testament to his skills and dedication.
19. Lukáš Šembera
Lukáš Šembera is a professional motorcycle racer from the Czech Republic. He is a competitor in the Grand Prix motorcycle racing circuit, which is the premier international championship in motorcycle racing.
Šembera has been competing in the Grand Prix series since 2014 and has seen success on the track, winning several races and podium finishes. He is currently competing in the Moto2 class, which is the second tier of the Grand Prix series.
Šembera is a highly talented and experienced rider and has been able to adapt to different tracks and conditions quickly. His skills have been honed through years of racing experience, and he has been able to make the most of his talent.
He is a fierce competitor on the track and has the drive and determination to succeed. Lukáš Šembera is an inspiring figure in the Czech Republic and has become a role model for many aspiring young racers.
His determination and passion for the sport has been an inspiration to many, and he is a shining example of what it takes to succeed in the world of Grand Prix racing.
20. Karel Hanika
Karel Hanika is an accomplished motorcycle racer from the Czech Republic. He has achieved impressive accolades in the sport, including being crowned the 2013 Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup champion and the 2013 European Moto3 champion.
Currently, Karel competes in the Alpe Adria International Road Race Superbike Championship, riding aboard a BMW S1000RR. His commitment to the sport and his evident proficiency have made him a well-respected figure in the world of motorsports.
Karel Hanika is an example of someone who has worked hard to reach the highest heights in the sport of motorcycle racing. He has shown an unwavering dedication to the sport and has proven himself to be a highly competent rider.
His impressive resume of titles and achievements is a testament to this. Karel is now focusing his efforts on the Alpe Adria International Road Race Superbike Championship, where he is competing on a BMW S1000RR.
He has shown that he has the skill and determination to succeed and compete at the highest levels of the sport. Karel Hanika is an exemplary figure in the world of motorcycle racing.
His commitment to the sport and his success in the sport are inspiring to all those who aspire to reach the top of the sport. His accomplishments are a testament to the dedication and hard work he has put in to become one of the best riders in the world.
21. František Juhan
František Juhan was a highly accomplished Czechoslovak motorcycle racer who competed in three different fields of racing: speedway, road racing, and trials.
He made a name for himself in the racing world and was renowned as a skilled and daring rider. Speedway is a form of motor racing where competitors race around an oval track, often on motorcycles.
Juhan was a successful speedway racer, winning races and championships throughout his career. Road racing is a form of motor racing on public roads, usually closed off for the purpose.
Juhan was a successful road racer, winning races and championships throughout his career. Trials is a form of motorcycle sport where riders navigate a course over a variety of obstacles, such as rocks, logs and water.
Juhan was an accomplished trials rider, winning races and championships throughout his career. Overall, František Juhan was an incredibly successful Czechoslovak motorcycle racer who competed in speedway, road racing and trials.
He was a talented and brave rider who won races and championships in all three fields of racing.
22. Jaroslav Falta
Jaroslav Falta was an accomplished Czech professional motocross racer. During his career, which spanned from 1971 to 1982, Falta was part of the CZ factory racing team and was considered to be one of the top motocross racers of the early 1970s. He competed in the F.I.M.
250cc Motocross World Championship, which is an international event that sees the best riders from around the world compete against each other. Falta was highly respected by his competitors and was known for his skill and determination.
He was often praised for his strong start and his ability to stay ahead of the pack. During his time in the F.I.M. Championship, Falta earned multiple podium finishes and even won a few races. Falta’s success in motocross racing has earned him a place in motocross history.
He is remembered as a great racer who pushed the limits of the sport and pushed himself to the top. His legacy is one of skill, determination, and sportsmanship, and he will always be remembered as one of the greats in the world of motocross.
Conclusion
The best motorcycle racers in the Czech Republic are undoubtedly talented and skilled riders that have made a name for themselves in the sport. They have put in countless hours of hard work and dedication to hone their craft, and the results have been impressive.
From world championship titles to thrilling track performances, these riders have proven that they are some of the best in the world. With a strong racing culture and a great selection of tracks, the Czech Republic is a great destination for any aspiring motorcycle racer.
