The sporting world has been left in shock after the death of legendary stuntman Chris Pfeiffer.
The death of German-born Pfeiffer, a legend in the motorbike world, was confirmed by the BMW Motorrad team on Wednesday morning.
The 51-year-old’s body was reportedly discovered over the weekend after a long battle with depression.
“In memory of an outstanding stunt rider and an amazing person,” BMW posted on Twitter.
“We will never forget all the memories we made together.”
“Rest in peace, Chris! All our thoughts are with his family.”
Pfeiffer is the only four-time winner of the prestigious Red Bull Scramble, held in Austria, and is a multiple world champion.
The motorbike stunt ‘king’ is best remembered for several Guinness World Records in motorbike long leaps, including when he jumped over 33 people without the use of a ramp.
The former Red Bull athlete has previously worked with superstars like skateboarding legend Tony Hawk and Hollywood star Tom Cruise.
Pfeiffer retired from motorsports in 2015, wanting to spend more time with his family.
“After 20 years as a professional rider I’ve decided that it’s time to stop riding shows,” he wrote on Facebook at the time.
“In the past 20 years I’ve ridden thousands of shows all around the world – in 94 countries! It’s been an unforgettable experience with countless adventures and experiences.”
Pfeiffer said he wanted to make the sport of stunt riding popular and that riding motorbikes would continue to be his life.
“I’ve worked hard to bring the sport stunt riding out into the mainstream and to thrill, enthuse and entertain many spectators. What a wonderful time I’ve had!”
“I rode my last stunt riding contest in 2010 and not too long ago I performed at what was probably my last show.”
“But one thing’s for sure, I will not quit riding – because riding is my life. That will never change.”
Pfeiffer is survived by wife Renate and children Pia, Amelie and Hannes.
Tributes have been flowing for the man widely regarded as the best stuntman in the world.
“Gutted to hear of Chris Pfeiffer’s demise. Doubly gutted to learn the man who brought millions unbridled joy, fell prey to depression,” journalist Amaan Ahmed tweeted.
“Having had the privilege of seeing him live, I can say he was amongst the most gifted motorcyclists the world has seen. Ride in power, Chris.”
Motorsports author Akshay Sharma said Pfeiffer brought fans to the sport and he was ‘one of the most gifted motorcyclists ever’.
“Chris Pfeiffer was one of the most gifted motorcyclists ever, one who brought joy to countless people around the world, and probably the reason so many of us grew to love motorcycling,” Sharma posted on Twitter.
“Thank you for the memories, thank you for the inspiration. Rest in peace legend.”
Motorcycle rider, writer and co-host of Front End Chatterist Podcast, Martin Fitz-Gibbons said Pfeiffer took stunt riding to a new level and that he would be deeply missed by the motorcycle community.
“Christian Pfeiffer moved stunt riding on to a new level. He played a key part in transforming BMW’s image in the late 2000s,” Fitz-Gibbons wrote on Twitter.
“He pushed back boundaries of what it was possible to do on a bike. Motorcycling is richer for his life and poorer for his passing.”
As a motorcycle enthusiast growing up in the 1990’s and 2000’s, this author has fond memories of Pfeiffer and his crazy stunts.
He changed the sport forever and will be deeply missed.
Rest in peace.
