Title win with one event less than the competition. Event in Bitche as the positive surprise of the year. Back in the Cat Moto Bauerschmidt Team in 2026.

Mads Fredsoe's (DK/Cat Moto Bauerschmidt Husqvarna) ADAC MX Youngster Cup season was effectively over before it had even begun. Shortly before Fürstlich Drehna, Fredsoe broke his arm and was therefore unable to compete in the season opener and the first three races of the year. But with his goal clearly in sight, the 18-year-old worked his way up the championship standings with consistent podium finishes and took the championship lead in the penultimate race in Bitche. Following his success in the ADAC MX Junior Cup 125 two years ago, he celebrated his second championship in the ADAC MX Masters in Holzgerlingen. Only five other riders, including Ken Roczen and Dennis Ullrich, have won titles in different classes before Fredsoe. The friendly Dane told us how he experienced his season in an interview.

Congratulations on winning the ADAC MX Youngster Cup title. How does it feel to win such a title?

I was incredibly relieved and happy when I finally achieved it. This is a major milestone in my career. I already won the title in the 125cc class in 2023, and it feels really good to have now achieved this in the ADAC MX Youngster Cup as well. I knew that I was coming to Holzgerlingen with a solid, albeit not huge, lead, so I wanted to finish the championship in a controlled manner and not take any unnecessary risks. Of course, I was nervous beforehand. It's crazy what a title fight does to you. Suddenly, the tension rises because you want this title so badly – and that's exactly what makes you nervous."

How good were your chances of winning the title after missing the start of the season in Fürstlich Drehna?

"I was really disappointed when I broke my hand at the start of the EMX season and it was clear that I would miss the start of the ADAC MX Youngster Cup. That was a difficult moment because the ADAC MX Youngster Cup was one of my big goals for the season. To be honest, I thought at the time that the title was out of reach – especially with three races per event. But I came back strong, rode consistently, won the first two races after my return and then finished on the podium in every round except the final in Holzgerlingen. In the end, I was the most consistent rider in the entire championship.

There is a remarkably good atmosphere in the Cat Moto Bauerschmidt Husqvarna team. Is that one of the keys to success?

"Absolutely. We worked hard with the entire Cat Moto team throughout the winter. I live with the team and my teammates Nico Greutmann and Liam Owens in the Netherlands, and we push each other every day. We train together, we're friends, but of course we're also competitors. This mixture of professionalism, hard work and team spirit makes a big difference. I couldn't have done it without the team and my family. I'm very grateful to everyone who supports me."

What was it like to take the red plate in Bitche?

‘It was a great feeling. After narrowly missing out in Gaildorf, I was determined to do it in Bitche. I wanted to avoid the championship being decided in the very last race. So I really put my foot down there, had some good races and was able to take the Red Plate home with me. That was a decisive moment – the reward for all the hard work throughout the season.’

Where did your strength come from this season?

"It's a combination of consistent work, a strong environment and a team that works perfectly. We help and motivate each other. I also really like the ADAC series – the organisation, the tracks, the atmosphere. It's just fun to ride there. I missed the 2024 series because I was riding in Italy at the time. And I still had positive memories of some of the tracks from my 125cc days, and I knew I was good there. All of that certainly helped me.

Is this the biggest title of your career?

"In my youth, I won the 65cc European Championship and was runner-up in the world championship in this class. I was also in the top five on the 85cc machine. But in the recent past, this is definitely my most significant title. After winning the ADAC MX Junior Cup 125 in 2023, now the title in the 250cc class – maybe I'll make the leap to ADAC MX Masters champion at some point. Then I'd have all three titles."

How did you get into motocross?

My father used to ride himself and passed on his passion for the sport to me. Even as a small child, I went on lots of motocross trips and training sessions, and I've been riding myself since I was three years old. At some point, we realised that I had talent and entered the EMX 65 – which I then went on to win. From then on, things just kept going.

What is it that makes motocross and racing in general so fascinating?

‘I love how many people you get to meet and how many places you get to see through this sport. Sometimes you forget how special it actually is – travelling the world, discovering new countries, having friends from different nations. I have friends in Italy, Germany, Spain – everywhere. That's really something I love about motocross.’

What was a personal highlight of the season?

"Definitely my comeback in Mölln. After my hand injury, I had only been back on the bike twice and really just wanted to finish in the top 10. Then I had some good starts and won the overall classification – that surprised even me. It was a great feeling after the injury! And of course Bitche, where all three Cat Moto riders were on the podium – that was something very special."

And which race was one to forget?

"There's a funny story about that: in Tensfeld, I was leading the race and Mesters was right behind me. Two corners before the finish, I slowed down a bit because of some lapped riders, thinking I had enough of a lead – but he was closer than I thought. He overtook me in the last corner and won by 0.016 seconds. That was annoying and I still think about that mistake today, but you learn from it.

Who or what surprised you in the 2025 season?

‘The track in Bitche was a positive surprise for me. I've never ridden on such a special course before – the red sandy soil in the forest with all the ups and downs was really unique.’

What are your plans for the coming season – perhaps defending your title?

‘Yes, that's the plan. I'm staying with the Cat Moto Bauerschmidt Husqvarna Team. I'm very happy with our collaboration, and I think that with good winter preparation we can become even stronger.’

What was the Motocross of Nations like as part of the Danish team?

"It was a great honour to compete for Denmark at the MXoN. It means a lot to me to represent my country. The USA is just something very special – everything is different: the people, the atmosphere, the whole culture. It was a great experience. Unfortunately, the MXoN itself didn't go perfectly and I even dislocated my shoulder at the end. That was disappointing, of course, but overall it was still a great experience. I'm back in Denmark now, giving my shoulder some rest and having it checked regularly. But it's looking good – I'm confident that everything will heal completely."