Liam Owens has been steadily adapting to life and racing in Europe since making the big move from Australia, and at Arnhem he finally got the reward he has been chasing – a maiden EMX250 podium. The young Australian, who now rides under the Cat Moto Bauerschmidt Husqvarna awning, showed great starts and consistency across the weekend to secure third overall and stand alongside some of the championship’s brightest talents. Owens admits the journey hasn’t been easy, but with his first European podium in the books and more confidence than ever, he’s motivated to keep progressing in EMX and beyond.
GateDrop: Liam, the Cat life is pretty good right now. All the hard work has finally paid off. Just talk me through what it was like standing up on the podium there… I’m sure when you first came to Europe that was the dream, but to finally do it, must feel amazing…
Owens: Yeah, to be honest, I was a bit oblivious when I first came. I thought it would be a little bit easier, so it feels even sweeter. It’s been two years since I’ve really stood on a prestigious podium. Back at home was the last time. My interviews still need work, and I want to taste a bit more of that champagne and that burn in my eyes. We keep chasing that, and the starts were a lot better. It’s a great feeling. I just want to thank my family and everyone back home for sticking with me. It’s a big thing, moving here on my own. It feels good that it’s finally paying off.
GateDrop: You said it was harder than what you expected… For people that don’t realise just how fast that front three is, especially. You have Zanocz, Reisulis and Garcia. Them guys are good, and they’re pretty much good everywhere… How hard does that make it for the rest of you guys?
Owens: It makes it quite hard but also if you’re able to do it, it means you’re MX2 ready to some extent. It gets you really prepped for when you do want to make that jump, because you don’t want to be in EMX forever. It’s a really hard class and everything, but the goal isn’t to be here. You want to be in MX2 and keep progressing. I think it’s quite hard. The hardest part is once you find the speed, it’s doing it for one lap, and then it’s doing it for 10 minutes, and then it’s doing it for 20, and then you build up. Once you do one good moto, you have to put it all together again for a second one. Finally, I’ve made that happen. I’m pumped.
GateDrop: Can you just talk me through your motos? You’ve had two pretty good starts, and that always makes life easier, especially in the EMX250 class because if you get a bad start, it’s just chaos out there…
Owens: Yes, I got two good starts for the first time in my life, I think (laughs). It was a great feeling. I changed a bit on my start technique, just being a bit more forward and squeezing with my shoulders, so that I stayed forward, because I had the jump quite good the last few weeks, and I was getting a big wheelie, so that’s kind of what I changed up. I was letting it hang a little bit as Cole Davies says… Into the turn I need to give it full gas, and that helped as well.
GateDrop: What are your thoughts on the track? Obviously, they levelled a lot overnight but then with the heavy watering, it didn’t take it too long to rough but. It looked quite difficult to ride. Yesterday was really rough, but today was maybe difficult in a different way…
Owens: Yes, yesterday was quite rough, but it was choppy, and then you had the turns, and it was really smooth, so you could almost take a rest, but also keep your momentum going for the next straight. In race two, they watered it a lot, and we were first out, so it was very deep. You had the rollers, and we actually stopped doubling around. That was really fast yesterday, but today it got so soft that you were wallowing out, so you had to try and jump it. I think for the other races today, it’s going to be really deep, but for ours, it was just a bit sloppy.
GateDrop: Turkey, next. You’ve got a podium. I’m sure you’ll want to end this season on a high. Also, you’ve got a few ADAC races left as well. Are you enjoying that championship?
Owens: Yes, I’m loving the ADAC. That’s almost harder than EMX sometimes because if you get bad starts, just with the tracks being a lot tighter and everything, but I know if I can dial my starts in this weekend, I’ll also be on for a string of good races. I’m definitely excited for Turkey.
GateDrop: Then after the ADAC races, I imagine you’ll be going home to Australia. When was the last time you were in Australia, and are you looking forward to going back home? I’m sure you’ll miss it…
Owens: Yes, the last time I was in Australia I think was August last year, so it’s been about a year and two months or something before I go back. I’m really excited to go see my mates, go do some farming or go muster the cows, do some normal stuff, go to the beach, eat a meat pie. Oh man, I miss my meat pies. Go down to the local bakery and then come back ready for the winter.
GateDrop: Can you tell me anything about next year yet, or no comment for now?
Owens: The Cat life is pretty good, that’s all I’ve got to say. (NOTE: It’s been officially confirmed Owens will remain with the team for 2026)
