READY TO RACE is what drives him – on the bike, in his professional life, and on the ORANGE BOARD. No fuss, no detours. Just pure riding experience, adrenaline, and the determination to change things. In this interview, Christian talks about his perspective on the motorcycle world and why progress begins where the comfort zone ends.
Give us three words that describe you as a rider.
Calm, confident, weatherproof.
Tell us about a special moment, experience, or trip you had with your favorite KTM motorcycle.
Every motorcycle adventure with my KTM is unique to me. The appeal isn’t in a single moment, but in the sum of all experiences. Every ride tells its own story – shaped by special moments, new cultures, and encounters with people who enrich these journeys in a lasting way.
What do you think should be the outcome or influence of the ORANGE BOARD – and what’s your role in that?
The ORANGE BOARD should clearly name problems and initiate real change. As an external participant, I bring a neutral, unbiased perspective. Internal processes can lead to operational blindness – my outside view helps identify issues and develop new solution approaches.
What does being part of the ORANGE BOARD mean to you?
Being part of the KTM ORANGE BOARD means actively contributing to the future of the brand and its products.
What’s your life outside of the ORANGE BOARD like?
After studying medicine in Vienna, I built a broad professional foundation: as a specialist in general medicine and trauma surgery, sports physician, and emergency doctor. In my medical practice in Mehrnbach, the focus is clearly on sports medicine. I’m proud to say that this year I had the honor of joining the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing team at the Dakar Rally as the official team doctor. For the past 10 years, I’ve also served as the team physician for HSV Ried Motocross Enduro, and I continue to support the Austrian Ski Team with medical care whenever needed. Privately, I’m a family person. Together with my wife Eva and our three children, we love spending time in the mountains – hiking in summer and carving down ski slopes together in winter. We need movement and nature. I find my greatest personal relaxation and challenge in my hobbies. I love pushing my own limits or unwinding in my garage while tinkering with tools. You’ll find me on the racetrack as well as off-road on a motorcycle. I stay fit with e-mountain biking, gravel biking, or sometimes on the ergometer. I believe this personal READY TO RACE spirit – which you also experience at KTM events – reflects my core attitude: always ready to face new challenges, while never losing touch with the ground or forgetting the importance of community.
What makes the KTM community special in your eyes?
The color orange is far more than a brand identifier – it’s identity. KTM riders recognize each other instantly. That pride creates a strong sense of belonging. Especially in the offroad and adventure segments, you see a helpful, resilient community shaped by camaraderie, mutual respect, and the exchange of experiences across continents.
What’s the best advice you’d give to someone just starting out with motorcycles or motorcycling?
READY TO RACE is not a slogan, but a commitment to performance, dynamics, and intensity. KTM doesn’t build bikes for relaxed cruising. They are built to push limits. If you love that, you should experience it for yourself – consciously, with respect for the machine, the terrain, and your own limits.
Do you have a favorite riding playlist, ritual, or superstition?
Full concentration, focus, visor down – and dive into the motorcycle world. READY TO RACE.
Please, describe the difference in vibe or spirit between a KTM event and other sporting events you’ve covered as an on-site medic.
Community is at the center, especially at non-professional rallies. There is a strong orange solidarity where riders help each other on the track, exchange experiences, and spend evenings together. The atmosphere is inclusive and revolves around a shared passion for offroad riding. In contrast to open-brand rallies, there is a real hands-on mentality. Riders are often responsible for small repairs themselves, creating a practical, down-to-earth atmosphere. The mood is shaped by discovery, endurance, and an unfiltered experience of nature – gravel, dirt, mud.
After the first meeting – would this still give the same answer to why you wanted to be an ORANGE BOARD member?
Yes, it has become even stronger. The initial motivation of being heard has turned into real responsibility. It’s about asking difficult questions and ensuring that unfiltered feedback actually flows into strategy, products, and services. That’s exactly where the value and credibility of the ORANGE BOARD lie.