Austria’s top International road racer of modern times Horst Saiger has announced his retirement from motorcycle racing with immediate effect.
Involved last year in a serious testing incident at the Red Bull Ring, the likeable racer has decided that the time is right to call it quits from two wheel competition.
He’s claimed countless notable results at circuit events, tackled World Superbike meets, the Daytona 200, banked World Endurance Championship podium finishes but of course we at Road Racing News have mostly covered his pure road racing exploits!
A TT Races newcomer in 2013, Saiger went onto accomplish the following feats at the world’s most acclaimed, famous road race.
The fifth fastest newcomer in history, 2017 TT Privateers Championship success, 10th 2017 Superstock TT, 10th 2019 2019 Lightweight TT, seven top 15 finishes and overall 12 top twenty finishes.
Multiple times a race winner at Terlicko, Saiger’s prominent roads CV also includes an impressive Ulster Grand Prix debut in 2015, top six finishes at Macau, Imatranajo, Cemetery Circuit Races rostrum finishes and setting in 2014 at the North West 200 a new Superstock lap record of 121.214 mph.
When asked the question though about what he considers his No.1 achievement in real road racing, he cites his podium finishes from the Superbike Classic TT encounters of 2017 and 2018.
“For sure to finish 3rd at the Classic TT Superbike was so special and awesome! One year later to start with number one plate and place 2nd was unbelievable!! That was the best that racing could give!”
I remember a saying Horst once said “Pain is temporary glory is forever”, which sums up his fearless, measured approach to closed roads action.
Easy to interview, you’ll always gain a good quote or two from Austria’s fastest TT, North West 200, Classic TT, Ulster GP exponent.
Helping over the past ten years improve pure road racing’s popularity across Austria, Europe, he is rightly considered in his, unique right an all time European roads great.
Photo by Mark Corlett, Nick Wheeler
Words by Stevie Rial #dontletfearcontrolyou


