Caterpillar confirms finalists for 2026 Global Operator Challenge

The Touchdown Challenge saw competitors using a Cat 320 hydraulic excavator fitted with 3D GPS to pick up two rugby balls and drop them in a nearby basket. Image: Caterpillar

The competition brought 20 operators from Europe, Africa and the Middle East to the OEM’s facility in Malaga, Spain, where they competed for the right to be one of three to make it to the final in Las Vegas in March. All 20 competitors first had to win local Cat dealer competitions to qualify for regionals.

All competitors completed the same four events using Caterpillar equipment and technology.

The Touchdown Challenge saw competitors using a Cat 320 hydraulic excavator fitted with 3D GPS to pick up two rugby balls consecutively and drop them in a nearby basket. Contestants then needs to touch two targets using the machines 3D GPS technology.

The Centennial Push Challenge had operators put a Cat D4 dozer through a pre-determined course within a specified time-frame. Operators were able to use optional aids via Steer Assist and Slope Assist.

Featuring a Cat 938 small wheel loader, the Loader Labyrinth Challenge tested the agility and adaptability of the operators. Starting with a bucket, participants loaded and hauled material along a marked path before dumping it into a Cat off-highway truck. The challenge then shifted to precision handling, where operators had to swap their bucket for forks and transport a pipe across a designated route and place it accurately on the ground.

The Centennial Push Challenge had operators put a Cat D4 dozer through a pre-determined course within a specified time-frame. Image: Caterpillar

The Articulator Challenge featured the 730 articulated truck where competitors maneuvered the machine through a designated course. Operators had to avoid obstacles before precisely reversing to a pre-determined dumping area where they had to lower the truck body completely before returning to the travel position and coming parking under a wheeled loader at the end position.

The overall champion was Gunter Dewit from Belgium representing dealer Bergerat Monnoyeur Belgium. Nicolai Thomsen from Denmark, representing dealer Zeppelin Denmark, and Sebastian Behr from Germany, representing dealer Zeppelin GmbH, also finished in the top three meaning that they also progress to the final in Las Vegas, US.

The winner receives either a $10,000 cash prize or an equal value trip for two where Caterpillar has a location worldwide.