Supermoto is a discipline of its own. To succeed in it, you primarily need one thing: endurance. This – and much more – is what this year’s FIM S1GP SuperMoto World Champion, Lukas Höllbacher, brings to the table. In this interview, the charismatic Upper Austrian shares his highlights, challenges, and the story behind his nickname, “Fastest Baker.”
First things first: congratulations on your freshly won World Championship title! How does it feel?
It’s simply overwhelming. Becoming World Champion has been my biggest dream since I started competing in the World Championship in 2014, and now that it has come true, it means an incredible amount to me. Even though it happened under special circumstances, it feels one hundred percent deserved because honesty counts in sports, and that’s exactly what I stand for. With the double World Champion title in 2025, the Supermoto of Nations, and the individual World Championship, it’s clearly the best year of my career.
What is Supermoto, in simple terms, and what is the difference between racing Supermoto and lifestyle Supermoto?
Supermoto is a blend of offroad and onroad racing. Tracks usually consist of about 70% asphalt and 30% offroad. Riders compete on 450 cc Supermoto bikes based on motocross machines but equipped with slick tires, bigger brakes, and a stiffer, shorter suspension. Races are similar to motocross: 25‑minute heats with 25–30 riders. The challenge is setting up the bike to work on both surfaces – stiff, precise, and agile on asphalt, yet softer and more compliant offroad. Finding that “golden middle ground” isn’t easy. Mentally, the discipline is extremely demanding. Today, many national championships exist alongside the World Championship, which now takes place almost exclusively in Europe because overseas events are difficult to fund.
How did you get started? What or who inspired you to ride Supermoto?
I started on 50 cc bikes. Back then, there were Supermoto races on the company grounds in Mattighofen, including kids’ classes. My dad raced, and my sister Laura and I simply joined in. That’s how it all began. At the time, there were more training opportunities – parking lots, local events, border‑region races. Soon we were racing in Germany, Switzerland, and Italy. At 17, I was largely on my own because my family had to run the bakery at home. But I always had good people around me who taught me a lot.
Was there a moment when you knew you wanted to pursue this professionally?
It actually happened gradually. The peak of professional Supermoto was around 2010, but that’s exactly when things began to decline – manufacturers pulled their factory teams, budgets shrank. So I didn’t really have active role models. I became competitive quickly and raced against riders like Bernd Hiemer who were nearing the end of their careers. Being “professional” in the sense of making a living from the sport wasn’t really possible – there was technical and material support, but rarely financial support.
What role did KTM play for you in that journey?
I’ve always ridden KTM. Technically, KTM was the best foundation for me – reliable components, strong parts availability, and a competitive package for the season. The support was always there, giving me what I needed to win.