There was a new team in the MXGP paddock this year as the Cat Moto Bauerschmidt Husqvarna team was formed to take on the EMX250 championship. Despite being a new team in the paddock they decided to run a three rider line up in the form of Nico Greutmann, Lyonel Reichl and Liam Owens who sadly picked up an injury. The team also had Cato Nickel under the awning to contest selected MXGP World Championship events.
The ADAC MX Masters was also a focus for the team and will be again for the 2025 season. Greutmann and Owens will be staying with the team but the talented Mads Fredsoe has also been signed up for the upcoming season.
We caught up with team manager, Andre Stumpf to discuss the team and much more.
GateDrop: Andre, the Cat Moto Bauerschmidt Husqvarna team have now had one year together as a team. How did it all go for you in year one, are you happy with how everything went in 2024?
Stumpf: In general, we are happy with year one. We could achieve great results, had a good structure, media presence and gained a lot of experience. But to be fair it was also a hard year with a lot of work which we underestimated a bit at the beginning.
GateDrop: What sort of things did you learn this year that should be able to help you in 2025 and the future?
Stumpf: It´s quite important to have enough manpower and the right people/partners in the right spots. This creates an atmosphere where everyone is motivated and giving 100% to be successful. On top of that there are multiple small learning which helps to be more efficient.
GateDrop: You got to do a lot of travelling around Europe – is that something you enjoy and was that new to you?
Stumpf: I was coaching riders on the MXGP/EMX stage with my company Pro Sports Alliance before, so this was not new to me. But it was the first year I attended all of the EMX250 rounds. In general I enjoy traveling and experience different countries as much as possible with the small timeframe we have.
GateDrop: Nico Greutmann showed some great pace this year and finished sixth in the EMX250 championship, you must have been happy with his season? If he can try and improve on the starts he could have even done better…
Stumpf: Nico had an outstanding season and we are proud of everything he has achieved this year. In general Nico is also a really good starter and we are working on transferring his practice starts into the races. For sure with his weight everything must be perfect on the start to be somehow up front.
GateDrop: Nico is a tall guy and a heavy build. Was there a temptation of moving him up to the 450cc? Or even the MX2 World Championship class as he’s now had three years in the EMX250 class I believe…
Stumpf: Yes, we talked about it. Nico has some unfinished business on the 250cc, so the decision was made to stay another year in the EMX250 class. The MX2 World Championship would only make sense if he got a factory bike to be competitive with his weight.
GateDrop: What are your expectations for Nico in 2025? Will there be an opportunity for him to race some MX2 GP’s that don’t collide with the EMX250 series?
Stumpf: We got one goal in the EMX250 for 2025 and this is to be on the podium. Nico showed that he has got the potential to do it but with Mads and Liam we got two more riders we believe can also do it. All the three EMX250 riders will do two MX2 GP’s this year.
GateDrop: Liam Owens signed a deal with the team for 2024 but injury cut his season short. What is he like to work with and what do you expect from him in 2025 as he’ll be staying with the team?
Stumpf: Liam is great to work with. He has unbelievable bike skills but being this young and coming from Australia to Europe was just a bit much for him in 2024. He has mentally grown a lot and is in a completely different spot right now compared to last year. The goal is to build it up race by race and show what he is really capable of.
GateDrop: The team have signed Mads Fredsoe for the 2025 season to contest the EMX250 series. How did the deal with Mads all come around?
Stumpf: We already had contact in 2023 with the Fredsøe family, so we knew each other and had a good relationship. At the end of the season we had a few talks together with Hans Rudi Berger our team owner and also Emil who was coaching/managing team Denmark and could find a structure which everyone was happy with.
GateDrop: Even though he was a rookie in the EMX250 series this year he finished ninth in the championship and I believe even though he was with Beddini, that he had a standard bike… What do you think he can do in 2025?
Stumpf: Like I said before, the whole team is fully believing in our riders and we see the potential in all of them being on the EMX250 podium and win the ADAC MX Youngsters series. We take it step by step give every day 100% and see where we ending up.
GateDrop: The team had Lyonel Reichl under the awning in 2024 but I believe he’ll still be within the structure for 2025. What was he like to work with and can you explain his deal along with Cato Nickel?
Stumpf: Cato Nickel and the team were working well together this year but with us focusing on the 250cc class only to be even more competitive we had to find a different solution for Cato. So our technical partner/tuner Motorrad Bauerschmidt will have his own team (Bauerschmidt Husqvarna) again in 2025. This means Cato will keep training with the Pro Sports Alliance and the Cat Moto Bauerschmidt Husqvarna team but the technical side and organization will be at Bauerschmidt Husqvarna. Us and Lyonel Reichl parted ways after this year, so he will be with Bauerschmidt Husqvarna but with his own structure.
GateDrop: Most teams only have two EMX250 riders but you guys have three, what is that like to manage?
Stumpf: It needs a good structure and good people. I would say our strongest point is our structure having the workshop, gym, etc everything at one place helps us being efficient. Additionally we care a lot about the rider supporting them in every aspect. Hans Rudi the owner and myself are managing the team together. On top of that I´m also the riding coach and overview the whole training of the riders as this is where I´m coming from. Bauerschmidt is our technical partner. We got one chief mechanic Markus and two more fulltime mechanics (Mathieu, Wulf). Additionally to this we got different experts we work with like KevPro Physio, One11 Media, Purely Watts Coaching… So, we are pretty thankful to have all these great people in our program
GateDrop: The team have also expanded for 2025 as they’ve signed WMX rider, Alicia Göggel. What was the decision behind that and what sort of results do you expect from her in the WMX class?
Stumpf: Alicia was searching for a structure where she can develop as a rider and perform well on the world stage. So, one thing came to another, and we could find an agreement. Alicia is a good person who is working hard, so it’s a good addition to our team. The main goal for 2025 is to improve every race, there will be tracks where good results are possible but it will probably take a bit more time to be there in the sand as well.
GateDrop: There are five teams leaving the paddock ahead of the 2025 season and some riders have been outspoken about the organisers. As your first year in the paddock, how did you find the series and do you think things can be done in order to help the teams more and if so, what?
Stumpf: In general, we enjoyed our first year and Infront Moto Racing are also doing a lot of great things. But as a new team coming in there are a lot of unknowns and sometimes it’s quite hard to get help from the organization. So, it would be great to have more support and information and maybe not get treated like you are just contesting a support class (EMX250). Teams leaving probably depends a lot on the global economic situation as well, costs are quite high and it´s difficult to raise the budget you need to do things properly. That’s why we paying a lot of attention to our marketing trying to find new ways to promote our partners.
GateDrop: Have the team any long term goals – perhaps running an MX2 GP team in the future or are you happy to stay within the EMX250 series focusing on younger talents to help them develop get into the World Championship?
Stumpf: We will see what the future brings. The World Championship is the main attraction and for sure long term it would be the goal to be part of the main show. In general we like to develop younger riders, so the 250cc category is a good fit.
