The 2026 season will mark an exciting new chapter for young Italian talent, Francesco Bellei, who is set to step up to the highly competitive EMX250 series. After spending this year with the official Fantic EMX125 outfit, Bellei has now inked a deal with the Cat Moto Bauerschmidt Husqvarna team as he progresses into the next phase of his career.
It will be a big learning year for Bellei as he adapts to the 250cc machinery, but he will have a strong structure around him. The Italian will not only contest the full EMX250 campaign, but he will also take on a brand-new challenge in the ADAC Youngsters Cup.
Under the Cat Moto Bauerschmidt Husqvarna awning, Bellei will team up with Mads Fredsoe and Liam Owens – two riders with valuable experience in the class – giving him a solid environment to develop and push toward the front.
The team has also confirmed the addition of Dutch rider Roan Tolsma as part of the new Cat Moto Prospects program, further strengthening their youth lineup for 2026.
Bellei has already shown great promise in EMX125, and the move to EMX250 with an ambitious team behind him sets up an exciting year ahead for the rising Italian star.
Andre Stumpf (team manager):
We’re excited to have Francesco on the team for the 2026 season. He’s a very technical rider with a real hunger to win. I believe he’s a great addition to our lineup, and we’re confident that we can fight for top positions in the 250 class right from the first year.
Francesco Bellei:
Andre saw me on a training two years ago and then he started to watch me, this year through a friend they asked about me and now I’m here. With the team I had immediately a very good feeling. With the 250cc I feel more comfortable than the 125cc because I like the power of the bike. For now I don’t have any expectations for 2026, for now my plan is just make the races and after that I can have some expectations. I think that my team mates can help me a lot because they were fast this year in the EMX250 class and I can learn from them – especially in the sand.
