As the 2025 EMX125 season approaches, Cole McCullough is gearing up for what he hopes will be his most consistent and competitive year yet. The young Northern Irish rider has opted to stay in the EMX125 class for another season, aiming to gain more experience at the front of the pack before making the step up to EMX250. Now part of DreamTeam Fantic, McCullough has relocated to Italy, immersing himself in a structured training program and benefiting from full team support.
In this interview, McCullough opens up about his decision to remain in EMX125, signing with DreamTeam Fantic, adjusting to life in Italy, and his expectations for the season ahead. With promising results in early pre-season races, he’s feeling confident and ready to prove himself when the gate drops.
GateDrop: Cole, let’s rewind to the end of last season. You had a decision to make – move up to the EMX250 class or stay in the EMX125 class for another year. You opted with the latter, I think a good decision – but what were the main reasons behind this?
McCullough: Last year I was not up at the front of the 125cc class. Yes, in some races was – I had a 4th, a 6th, some top 10s but consistency I was not there. I done the last two years EMX250 races where I ran inside the top 15 comfortably but the main thing to stay 125cc is to try put a solid season together this year and step into EMX250 with experience say in leading races and doing it consistently.
GateDrop: You ended up signing with DreamTeam Fantic for the 2025 season. Did you have many options and in the end what reasons did you have for opting with DreamTeam Fantic?
McCullough: Firstly I wanted to stick with Fantic. I felt really good on the bike a lot last year as results didn’t show that but I mostly felt really good. The team reached out at the end of the season and me and my dad thought it would be best to go with it as the package was really good being based in Italy of course was one of the biggest advantages.
GateDrop: It’s just been you and your Dad the past few years, how does it feel to actually be part of team now?
McCullough: Yeah, it feels good the team and I get on really good. I have a full time mechanic also which really helps as the last years when I go practicing it was really just at home in the sand and I’d have to come home and wash the bike and get it ready say for the next day. Now with the team it’s a lot more structure let’s say. Me and dad just went with the flow the last couple years but now it’s more structure to everything.
GateDrop: Italy is home for you now as you’ve moved there to focus on racing. Where exactly are you based and what is it like living in Italy?
McCullough: I’m living in Gavardo the house is right beside the workshop also which is good. To be honest my day really consists of riding or training I don’t really go out and walk around the cities but It’s a nice place when I’m cycling I cycle past Lake Garda which is a very nice place so I’m liking living out here.
GateDrop: You still see your Dad at the races, but you are away from him during the week, is that tough?
McCullough: It doesn’t bother me so much I would be on the phone to him every day and we keep in touch alot. He flies in to the races maybe on a Friday and leaves say Monday so it’s not that much time apart. Sometimes we need it as it can get a bit hot headed between us but yea me and him have always been doing everything together and we still do but don’t see each other as much just.
GateDrop: Who do you live with at your base in Italy – is it the team owner/manager and your mechanic? How’s the relationship been with them like so far?
McCullough: I live with my team mate. I mostly just do my own thing training wise and riding but yea with the team the relationships good.
GateDrop: Being based in Italy, what’s your off season been like? I imagine you are close to a lot of tracks and that’s a big help – what tracks are close to you?
McCullough: The more famous tracks are more in the middle of Italy im in the north but the tracks are good. It’s no secret I needed to get better on the hardpack as I’ve rode sand my whole life but the tracks are good for exactly what I need.
GateDrop: You’ve hard three races so far this year, the two International Italian championships and Lierop – how do you feel they’ve gone for you? A podium at brutal Lierop so that was a good day!
McCullough: The first race in Mantova was a bit of a lottery bike problems in the second race cost me but overall a good day. Montevarchi was a really good day for me on this track I’d usually struggle but having the off season in Italy really helped and it showed two good consistent rides and riding at the front.
For Lierop I took sick on Friday but managed to stick it out for the motos and get two 3rds, I was off the pace of the front boys but overall a decent day.
GateDrop: Machinery wise you are still on a Fantic, is it that much different from what you had last year? Perhaps some more factory support this year?
McCullough: It’s a new model this year but straight away I felt good with the bike didn’t make any big changes. The teams bikes are good and doesn’t feel a whole lot different from last year.
GateDrop: When you reflect on the past couple of seasons what do you think you’ve learnt the most and what can you do differently in 2025 that’ll help get better results?
McCullough: Starts – the last couple seasons my starts have been embarrassing to say the least but it’s been my own fault no one to blame but me. My speed wasn’t really an issue last year but if I can get some consistency in starts and results which I feel now after my pre season races I’ve improved it should be a good year.
GateDrop: What are the goals for the EMX125 championship in 2025? I am sure you want to get on the podium but also be consistent…
McCullough: I know myself what I can do. I don’t want to come on here and say ‘I’m going to do this I’m going to do that’, I’ve worked hard so we’ll see at round one.
GateDrop: EMX125 could be pretty wild open this year, who do you see as being the main contenders?
McCullough: On any given day there’s multiple people can win so we’ll just have to wait and see.
GateDrop: I think you are also racing the 125cc Italian Championship so 1) that probably means you won’t get home to visit much during the season and 2) does that mean we’ll see you do any 250cc races? If you could squeeze one or two in that would help prepare you for the future… but the schedule is busy!
McCullough: The last two years I’ve done races in EMX250 we’ll see how it’s going in EMX125 and the other races but I don’t know for sure yet.
