I have the immense pleasure of announcing that KTM has chosen me as their official Adventure Traveler Ambassador.
Everything started the last February, I was in Morocco, sipping my tea and checking email, and I got one from the KTM marketing dept. with some compliments for my work on the travels and a video call invitation.
The call was super informal and friendly, KTM has recognised me as a global and authentic traveller and they would love to associate the brand to me. They didn’t beat around the bush, they went straight to the point: “KTM is looking for an official adventure traveller, we have a long list of potential candidates, but we want you, you’re in?”
Few days later I was at the KTM HQ in Mattighofen, Austria welcomed by some cool guys with the orange T-shirt, everyone here is smiling and friendly and I felt at home since the very first moment. I’ve got the opportunity to visit the KTM Motohall then I tested the new 1290 Super Adventure S for a day (I’ll write something on that beast the next days cos it really deserves) on some twisty roads in the Austrian hills. After discussing the terms of the collaboration, they took me to the lobby at the main office where a shiny 1290 S was on display and…. “well, this is your bike”, BOOM!
In a nut shell they just want me to continue to do my journey, in the exactly way I did till now, true to my style, nothing more. The word here is “authenticity”, they want me to tell my story to the KTM audience, a real traveller who can tell a real story. That’s it.
Sometimes life is really ironic, when I was 14 my dream was to ride a KTM but at the time I had no money to afford it, now at 51 KTM calls me offering the iconic most prestigious model, the 1290 Super Adventure S – the top bike for long distance travellers as I am. Plus, they will provide all the gears, tires, assistance, technical and logistical support and much more.
This means that in the next expeditions I will have KTM by my side and the opportunity to test all the new products and materials of our magnificent brand.
I am actually planning the next adventures, some news are coming up shortly, stay tuned. And the best is yet to come.
So happy for you Gionni, congrats you really deserve it
Thanks !
Couldn’t be more happy for you man. You are perfect for that role
YEAHH
Congratulations and you really deserve this honour! Since I saw you in Instagram I closely follow what your doing, was reading your blog and I must say authentic as hell! You rock and in my eyes your a very cool adventure rider! 👌🏻😎🤘🏻
Glad you like my work, that’s make me so happy. Thank you very much for the kind words, much appreciated
Johnny, KTM could not have chosen a better testimonial. Congratulations, that’s your perfect role
Thank you ! Time will tell the truth
Man, I am not surprised at all. You were the KTM guy even before it. Looking forward your new adventures
Tom, thank you for your kind words
You and Paolo Cattaneo.. KTM only chooses awesome guys 🤣🤣🤣
HAHAHA yes, they have excellent taste…
Johnny, totally full deserved. KTM made the best choice. 1000 congratulations, you really rock
Thank you Goran!!!
E chi altro potevano prendere? Bravo!!!
Grazie Sabrina
Man, no one represents KTM better than you. You ride like a pro, you share amazing stuff, always positive and inspiring. So happy for you, much deserved.
¡Te lo mereces! Felicidades, quién sabe lo que harás ahora
Gracias hermano, espera…. jajaja
You rock ! I’m proud of you ❤
Thank you, love
Totally agree with KTM choice. You remember we travel together just three days and I was impressed by your attitude to life, your riding skills, your positivity and, most of all, your generosity. I am sincerely happy for this achievement, KTM wouldn’t find a better guy.
PS I still have that GoPro… thank you
You’re too kind, you make me blush. Let’s have a couple of beers..
I thought you worked for KTM… Congrats man, nice one!
Hahaha is a such a way that’s true..
Johnny you did it! Congratulations 🎉
Thank you
Che cosa fantastica, siamo contentissimi per te, te lo stra meriti. Un abbraccio
Grazie, troppo gentili
Wau, that’s really something. Congratulations Johnny. I am looking forward to your next adventure.
Thank you so much!
Your love for KTM has been rightly recognized. Ad Maiora
Ad maiora
You’re perfect for that! Congratulations for another achievement, waiting for your next trip – you’re pictures make me dream
I’ll do my best, you bet!
It was a pleasure to ride with you and learn from your drinving style
Piacere tutto mio! Vengo a trovarti in Friuli
Johnny why you ride the S model? You’re always offroad so the R would be much more appropriate
Yeah man, this is a part of the KTM project. The 1290 R is super specialized for off-road, the 1290 S is much more flexible so we want to push it and show what the bike is capable to do
Super great ,never give up and your dreams come true ..🔝🔝
Congratulations
Francesco .
Yeahh man! What’s then your next trip? Will you travel with that 1290S? Waiting you in Canada, always a place for you here (beer too)
I’ll be in Canada in 2022, keep some cold beer please
You will never stop surprising us! How many lives you have? Best wishes Johnny
Thank you dude. As I always say "I want it all, plus 5%".
Get some workout man, I’ll kill you in the tennis field
Johnny how’s the feel I’m with the new bike? Big difference from the old one?
Man, you can’t believe. This bike is awesome! The new chassis, suspensions and electronic are unbelievable, and the lower tank with the new low balance makes the difference. Try it! Pure adrenaline…
You are living the dream. Travel full time, ride the best bike, live free and now KTM testimonial. Respect
Grazie Gigi, troppo buono.
Johnny ww know you as the off-road guy.. you switched to a road bike?
The S model is an excellent road bike which can also afford some easy offroad traits. Not like the R of course, but enough to have some fun. I’ll try the bike in offroad soon, and I’ll share my impressions. Let’s see!
What appreciate in you the most is the humility, the fact that you are humble.
I saw you in many different countries, sometimes in five stars hotels, sometimes in a tent. I saw you in some fancy restaurants or in a local kebab. You talk with all kind of people, no differences. Men like you live in Miami or Dubai, drinking mojitos on the beach, but you found a better way to live.
You come from a world I do not know, you’ve done things in business that I can’t even imagine. You succeeded in every area of your life, and you’re still humble. That’s a power that only great people have.
Has been a pleasure to meet you and spend some days together, you’re a very special one.
With big admiration, your friend Casimiro
Casimiro, I’m blessed to have a friend like you. Can’t wait to see you again and have some fun together on the bikes. Thank you very much for your kind words
Grande Johhny. Keep inspiring us…
You bet!
Johnny, your style is unique.
Thank you man, natural at least!