The road racing passion.

"BMW was prepared to support me back then. For me, it is like a family. I am delighted that they are happy to continue with me, and to offer me that support again each year."

"All the technology behind the bike – the whole package, as you buy it – is a race-ready motorcycle in its own right. That is what makes the RR so special. You do not need to invest an awful lot more or purchase many parts. You can already ride very fast and compete successfully at the front of the field with this customer racing bike. Then you obviously also have the support that the customer teams receive from BMW Motorrad Motorsport. Without the BMW family and everything behind it, none of this would be possible. That is plain to see with some of the other manufacturers. If they are not behind you as much, then you cannot expect to do so well."

"At first it was the financial side. When I used to ride in the IDM, it was very important to have the right financial backing if you wanted to compete at the front. I also found it very exciting. After one IDM season, I made a guest appearance in Frohburg, which is just round the corner from where I live – and it gave me a real thrill. Firstly the circuits, of course, but above all the spectators and their support. No matter whether you are first or last, you are cheered on by all the fans. It is simply great fun."

"Yes, we definitely stay in touch with each other. If anyone has any questions or needs a part, because something was too late being delivered, we always try to help each other out. We are a real racing family, particularly in road racing."

"If you are talking globally, then obviously Macau. When you are the only German, taking on the world road racing elite, it is simply awesome. However, another highlight for me is definitely Hořice in the Czech Republic. That is a very demanding circuit, on which you only get a very short opportunity to catch your breath. Apart from that, you are constantly on the move on the bike. That is hugely enjoyable. And the Czech fans are just mega."

"I think that was actually in Hořice, in May 2016. It had been a long time since a Superbike rider had managed to win the ‘300 Curves of Gustav Havel’ road race. There is a brass plaque there, onto which the names of the winners are engraved. To be the only German rider immortalised on that plaque is pretty cool."

In fact, everything we do is crazy. The craziest moments are actually always when something happens to the bike – for example, a technical fault. I once had a situation in an IRRC race in Frohburg, when the handlebars got loose whilst I was riding. I had it under control on the straight, but wanted to finish the race and score some points. As such, I had to rearrange the handlebars again when I hit the straight after every curve. That was definitely the craziest moment so far. Any other rider would probably have said he could not continue like that and have given up. Not me. I completed the race.

What is not too dangerous nowadays? My job is a roofer. That involves doing some dangerous things, on an edge or on scaffolding. If you make a wrong move, then you will soon find yourself falling. I always say that, in road racing, it is very easy to judge for yourself whether the set-up of the bike is right and whether or not you feel happy. The chassis, in particular, plays a hugely important role on the uneven circuits. If you notice that something is not right, then you tend to come in and fix it. That normally helps you to relax and helps you to make progress faster than if you try desperately to set a certain time.

I have to say that my boss is mad about racing. He used to race bikes and his son is now actively involved in motocross. As such, he is fully behind me. He knows full well that I will come back and do my work during the week. He supports me and gives me his full backing. It wouldn’t be possible to do this without him.

I am using the time to get really fit for the season. Because you can’t go anywhere at the moment, I am preparing even more intensely. The bikes are in the garage, ready. The situation is obviously tough for everyone. However, the main thing is that we all stay healthy and that we can move on again at some time. Some people believe that there will not be any races this year. However, I don’t believe that. I have at least not given up the hope that we will go racing again sometime, somewhere. 

"I would like to be crowned champion again in the IRRC. I have a long barren spell behind me, during which I have always finished second or third. For this reason, another title is my biggest goal. I would also like to take part in a road race or two in Great Britain – for example, the North West 200."