If one were to describe the Cat Moto KTM Bauerschmidt Team, simply calling it a traditional racing team would not do it justice. Rather, it is a structured development project – an international talent factory for the 250cc class that deliberately takes a different approach. Or, as they put it internally: “Think different.”

Three minds, one idea

Behind the team is a carefully assembled leadership trio with clearly defined roles. André Stumpf brings his background in coaching and rider development, which he has gained over the past ten years with the Pro Sports Alliance and continues to build upon. Thomas Bauerschmidt is responsible for the technical side of the motorbikes, whilst Swiss national Hans Rudi Berger acts as team principal, supporter and strategic partner, and handles sponsor communications. The idea for the team arose from a simple yet crucial observation: “I always felt that you could get even more out of a rider if everyone was working towards the same goal,” explains Stumpf. And from Hans Rudi’s single remark, “I’ve always wanted to set up a team”, the whole project then developed for the 2024 season. The Cat Moto Team was born, and a system emerged that goes far beyond the traditional concept of a team.

A platform for international talent

The current trio of riders – comprising reigning ADAC MX Youngster Cup champion Mads Fredsoe, Australian Liam Owens and Italian newcomer Francesco Bellei – underscores the team’s international ambition. Young talents from various countries are specifically nurtured and guided towards the top. Nationality plays a secondary role here – what matters is potential and the willingness to fit into the system. Cat Moto does not see itself as a national development team, but as a platform for ambitious riders who want to take the next step.

In sporting terms, the team is clearly operating in an international environment. Alongside the EMX series, the ADAC MX Masters, featuring the ADAC MX Youngster Cup, also plays an important role in the racing calendar. The series offers strong international competition and simultaneously serves as a platform for further development under race conditions. Likewise, the combination of national and international events also presents challenges, particularly due to the packed race calendar and the heavy workload for riders and the team. The key here is to find the right balance between competition and recovery – an aspect that is becoming increasingly important in modern motocross.

The base as the heart of the operation

The team’s base is located just west of Roermond in the Netherlands – a location chosen deliberately to bring training, organisation and technical operations together in one place. The entire operation is managed from here. The riders all live at the team base. The mechanics, motorcycles, training structure and organisation all work in tandem here, enabling close support for the riders in their day-to-day lives. Unlike many teams, collaboration is not limited to race weekends but takes place continuously throughout the week. This is precisely where one of the project’s greatest strengths lies: the riders are not merely looked after, but specifically developed.

The focus on the 250cc class is no coincidence, but a central part of the philosophy. At this stage of their careers, riders already possess a high basic level of ability, whilst remaining open to development and intensive support. “This is the age group where you have the most potential to really make a difference,” is how Stumpf’s approach can be summarised. At the same time, concentrating on a single class allows all resources to be specifically pooled – both in rider development and in the technical work on the motorbike. Particularly when compared internationally with larger teams, this clear focus is a decisive advantage.

A comprehensive programme rather than just race support

What sets Cat Moto apart from many other teams is its consistent implementation of a holistic approach. Alongside driver training, fitness, mental support and performance coaching play a central role. A closely coordinated network of trainers, physios and other specialists creates an environment in which drivers can develop both athletically and personally. It’s not just about lap times, but about the whole package. The drivers live and train together, spend a lot of time with one another and, as a result, grow closer as a team.

Competition as part of the concept

Internal competition is a key component of this system. Several strong drivers train together, push each other to their limits, yet still line up as direct rivals at the start on race weekends. The intensity of training is intended to be as high as possible, provided it remains under control. What is remarkable is that, despite this constant intensity, the atmosphere within the team and amongst the drivers is very good. But this is no coincidence. Great importance is placed on communication. Regular discussions and a deliberate selection of riders ensure that the dynamics within the team work well. Not every fast rider automatically fits into this system – character and mentality play just as important a role as sporting potential.

The fact that this concept works was impressively demonstrated last season when the team took all three podium places in the ADAC MX Youngster Cup in Bitche with Mads Fredsoe, Liam Owens and Nico Greutmann, whilst also securing all three race wins. This had never happened before in the entire ADAC MX Masters. The result may have come as a surprise to outsiders, but was seen internally as a logical consequence. “That was a clear goal before the season,” said Stumpf. For the team, it was less of a fluke and more a confirmation of their own approach.

Thinking differently – even off the track

Even off the track, Cat Moto takes a deliberately different approach. The name, the visual identity with its pink accents on the motorbikes and in the team’s kit, and the overall public image are all designed to stand out from the crowd. Instead of traditional press relations, the team relies heavily on social media, video content and its own original formats. With projects such as the video series “The Rise”, which will be available this season as a documentary project on the YouTube channel of sponsor benzim, the team engages in targeted storytelling to give partners and fans a deeper insight. “We want to go our own way and consciously set ourselves apart from others,” says Stumpf, describing the strategy. At a time when sponsors expect more than just logo visibility, this very approach is becoming increasingly important.

Looking ahead

Our outlook for the future is deliberately left open-ended. Yet we do have clear goals. “We want to be the best in the class we’re competing in,” says Stumpf. Whether this will eventually extend to other classes or even the World Championship remains to be seen. Far more important is continuous development – as a team, as an organisation and in the sporting arena. Ultimately, the concept can be boiled down to a simple principle: Cat Moto does not think in terms of fixed structures, but in terms of possibilities. It is not about copying existing paths, but about developing our own. And that is precisely what makes this team so special. Think different.