In 2025, the top three riders in the ADAC MX Youngster Cup are entitled to remain in the same class. This new rule allows Nico Greutmann to defend his title. In an interview, the Cat Moto Bauerschmidt Husqvarna rider discusses his goals coming into the new season, and what is keeping him in the 250cc class.
What was your first thought when you found out that you did not need to make the step up to the ADAC MX Masters class after winning the title?
“At first, I was sure that I would move into the ADAC MX Masters class on the 250cc bike as planned. I saw that as a new challenge, which I would have enjoyed getting stuck into. However, two days after the rule change, the team and I decided to continue racing in the ADAC MX Youngster Cup. There are enough fast people there and I can focus on other things as I defend my title. With the 250cc, I have no chance of winning a start against the 450cc bikes. As we will now also be using starting gates in the ADAC MX Youngster Cup this year, starting against the other 250cc bikes is a good opportunity for me to practice for the European championship.”
They say that winning a title is tough, but defending it is even tougher. How do you feel about that?
“For many people, defending a title probably brings more pressure. Not for me though: like last year, I will give it my all and what will be will be. The goal is obviously to win the ADAC MX Youngster Cup again. However, I am just trying to do my best and put into practice what I am doing in training. If I manage that, I have no doubt that something very good will happen.”
Never change a winning team. But has anything changed for you?
“I definitely have different goals for the coming year. Other than that though, everything is still the same. I am riding for the Cat Moto Bauerschmidt Husqvarna team and training with Pro Sports Alliance. However, there has been a change to my training partners: Mads Fredsoe has joined us. Together with him and Liam Owens, I have an extremely strong training environment. Everything else remains unchanged: my family, I have the same girlfriend, Markus Brandt is still my mechanic – everything is identical to last year.”
How important is it to have such strong training partners?
“It is just nice to have fast riders, and to know that they are capable of finishing on the podium in the European championship. When you are riding together during the week, you know that you are doing very well if you are able to match their speed. And when you are two seconds faster, you can lead the EMX without any problems, because both Liam and Mads are among the top guys there. That allows you to judge how you are doing. For example: unfortunately, I broke my finger during pre-season preparations. It really helped me when, after a four-week break, I got back on the bike and set the same lap times as they lads. That gave me confidence going into the EMX opener, and I knew I would be among the front-runners.”
What positive impacts has winning the title had?
“The most positive impact is my own personal impact. I have been riding in the ADAC MX Masters for a long time, and my goal was to win in it – to win as much as possible – and to be as consistent as possible. In winning the title, I proved to myself that I can do precisely that. It actually took two or three weeks for it to sink in that I had won the championship.”
There were an awful lot of Swiss fans cheering you on loudly at the finale in Holzgerlingen. Does that give you an extra boost?
“That is very important to me. It was my brother and loads of old friends from my time as an amateur rider. Riding cannot get any cooler than in Holzgerlingen and in the European championship in Frauenfeld, where the whole gang were there again. When a whole crowd make the journey just for me, and are there all weekend just to cheer me on, there is nothing better. They bring a positive energy to the race, which really motivates you. It is not pressure, just pure joy and motivation. Even when you climb from last to 20th place, they cheer just as loudly as if you had won the race.”
What are your goals for 2025?
“In the ADAC, the goal is definitely to be better than last year. I don’t really like talking about goals or results. However, there is a reason why I live in Holland, far away from my family. I am here to train and to win. That is my approach everywhere and in every championship.”
Who will be your toughest opposition in the 2025 ADAC MX Youngster Cup?
“I can’t actually say, as I only know that Liam Owens and Mads Fredsoe are riding in that class. I never look at the entry list, so I have no idea who I’ll be up against.”
Which tracks are your personal highlights this season?
“The one I am most looking forward to is Holzgerlingen, as all my fans will be there again. Other than that, I am really looking forward to Tensfeld, because it is a demanding track with deep sand. That is exactly what I enjoy most.”
What would you say is your biggest strength?
“My greatest strength is definitely my fighting spirit and the fact that I never give up. There are a lot of fast riders who like to lead when they win the start. However, as soon as they have a poor start, they are unable to get to the front. I have this fighting spirit and never give up, no matter what happens.”
When you are as tall as you are, you are also going to be a certain weight. Why are you yet to switch to the 450cc bike, where that would be less of a disadvantage?
“I did some testing in the winter and did ride the 450cc. As it stands, I just have a lot more fun on the 250cc bike at the moment. I feel very comfortable and showed last year that I can be fast on it. We have changed many things for this year, I have lost weight and we have worked on the engine so that I am in an even better position than last season. The time for the 450cc will come at some point, and the time on the 250cc bike will not last forever. For that reason, I have decided to stick with the 250cc for as long as it is a good fit. As we have already seen at the start of the season, my starts are working well, as long as I do not ease off the gas too soon before the first turn. My weight and height are a slight disadvantage in some situations, but I do benefit in other situations. As such, I believe it pretty much evens itself out on the whole.”
Will we see more race vlogs on YouTube in 2025?
“Yes. André Zimmermann will help me with the filming again at ADAC events. However, I already have some of my own ideas and vlogs ready to go.”
