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People smiling on graphic background

Meet your Global Operator Challenge Champion, Patrick Doheny

The 1st-place champ of the 2023 Global Operator Challenge brought his 25 years of experience to Caterpillar's Operator Stadium. With a career focused in bulk earthworks and civil construction, Patrick Doheny's skills first took root thanks to his family's plant-hire business. He's since worked around the world, now serving as a director for CRE Group in Melbourne, Australia.
Champion Time: 26 minutes 49 seconds

Global Operator Challenge Winner
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DON'T WORRY, YOU DIDN'T MISS THE MAIN EVENT

Watch the 2023 Global Operator Challenge, which streamed live from Caterpillar's Operator Stadium at CONEXPO-CON/AGG in Las Vegas.

WATCH NOW
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crowd cheering

 

 

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HIGHLIGHTS FROM REGIONALS

 

 

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North America
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South America
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Europe
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Asia

Forge Your Legacy at the Global Operator Challenge

 

The Global Operator Challenge is more than an event; it's where legends are born. This is the ultimate test of skill, control and determination for a chance to prove you have what it takes to stand above the rest. Those who come out on top will cement their place in history and inspire the next generation to keep pushing the boundaries of what they can achieve.

The clock is ticking closer to the start of Regional Semi-Finals. Are you ready to witness greatness?

  • North America Regional - Tuesday, September 23, 2025, 8am ET
  • North America Regional - Thursday, September 25, 2025, 8am ET
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Global Operator Challenge
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What does it take to be a champion of the Global Operator Challenge? Patrick Doheny's attention to detail and love for high-stakes work certainly helps.

 

"I am beyond thrilled to have earned the title of the best Caterpillar machine operator on the planet. Kudos to Caterpillar for hosting such an incredible event to highlight the importance of our profession. It is truly a dream come true to see your life’s passion be rewarded in such an amazing way."

- Patrick Doheny, 2023 Global Operator Challenge Champion

 

TEAM CHAMPIONS: AMERICAS

After a close competition, one group of operators prevailed –– Matt Ferris (Arizona, USA), Fernando Nascimento (Brazil) and John Schiedeck (Texas, USA) –– with a combined average time of 31:17.

Global Operator Challenge Team Winners
Global Operator Challenge Team Winners

Individual Challenge Winners


The 2023 Global Operator Challenge pitted the world's best operators against each other in a good-natured contest for the worldwide title. In addition to the top prize, three finalists went home with rewards for their performance in three individual challenges. In the race to win, they moved earth, lifted objects and maneuvered heavy equipment –– operating a Cat wheel loader, a Cat backhoe loader and a Cat excavator.  

  

 

Fork-N-Loader
Challenge

 

Finalists hauled two loads before testing their precision and placement skills.

Winner: Patrick Doheny from Australia
Time: 8 minutes 45 seconds

 

 

Backhoe Services
Challenge

 

Finalists crossed a trench, opened a CVA-themed box and loaded it with filters.

Winner: John Schiedeck from the United States
Time: 5 minutes 46 seconds

 

 

Trench Run
Challenge

 

Finalists dug a profile trench and placed balls into a barrel without breaking them.

Winner: Lukasz Mokrzynski from Poland
Time: 7 minutes 53 seconds

 

You've seen what it takes to be a champion. Now see how they got here.


 

GOC Countdown
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Local Challenges

Competitors show off their skills
at a local dealer event.

Regional Finals

Those who win move on to
the regional finals.

Global Finals

The top nine finalists from around the
world compete for the title.

Hats off to our regional competitors!

We want to congratulate all of the machine operators who competed in our 2022 Global Operator Challenge regional. They really took this competition to next level.

See regional participants
finals
finals

2023 Global Operator Challenge Finalists

These nine finalists competed against more the 5,000 other machine operators to earn their spot in the final round. Get to know each of these outstanding competitors a little better in these quick profiles.

Pontus Eriksson
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Nick Thompson
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Matt Ferris
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Sebastian Behr
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Fernando
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Masato Imai
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John Schiedeck
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Lukasz Mokrzynski
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Patrick Doheny
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West Regional Finals - Thursday September 25

Kick things off with our show-stopping welcome ceremony, then tune in for fresh challenges that push our local winners to the limit. Our amazing hosts will be with you every step of the way to bring the energy.

Introduction - streaming at 9:00 AM EST

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Challenge 3 - streaming at 12:00 PM EST

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Challenge 4 - streaming at 4:30 PM EST

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Introduction

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Challenge 1

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Challenge 2

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See What's Ahead

Sign Up
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Step 1: Sign up

local event
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Step 2: Battle at a local event

regional event
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Step 3: Win, partake in regionals

global finals
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Step 4: Reach the finals and take the crown

   

The 2025 Global Operator Challenge consists of a series of eight events that range from testing maneuverability to balance. By mastering all eight unique events you can pave the way for your place in construction history.

   

Big Dig Icon
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The Big Dig

Excavate like a pro and dig a trench to grade using 2D technology.

Dig 'N' Swing Icon
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The Dig N' Swing

Stay steady while racing to move material to target weight or pass count.

Load & Go Icon
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The Load & Go

Load it, dump it and return it to hit payload like a champion.

Precision Track Icon
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Precision Tracktor

Maneuver a dozer through the ultimate obstacle course.

   

Motor Greater Icon
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Motor Greater

Channel your skills to conquer blade actuation and material control.

Backhoe or Bust Icon
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Backhoe or Bust

Ready, set, aim: maneuver and position objects to achieve set targets.

Mini-Masters Icon
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Mini-Masters

"Play" the course and put the ball in the hole.

Stay on Track Icon
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Stay on Track

Step into the spotlight and showcase balance and material control skills.

 

 

 

 

Get Involved

   

Celebrate our Local Winners

Meet the top operators from your area and see who’s advancing to the next level of the challenge.

See Winners
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crowd cheering

Join as a Spectator

Don’t miss a moment of the excitement. Sign up for email updates about the competition and reminders on how and when to watch.

Sign Up
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Row of people sitting in a stand

 

 

Watch Live

Don't miss your chance to tune in live for the Global Operator Challenge. Revisit this page on the day of the event to stream regionals in real time.

 

 

Get Inspired

Interviews & Insights

Hear directly from experts and participants as they share insights and stories about the challenge.

   

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Dirt Masters - Episode 1 Join Caterpillar experts Jeff Muniz and Jason Hurdis alongside 2025 North America Regional Competitors Josh Blanton and Danny Younghusband. They share stories from the competition and offer tips and tricks for operators looking to sharpen their skills — and maybe one day take on the Global Operator Challenge.

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Dirtmasters - Episode 2 Caterpillar experts Jeff Muniz and Jason Hurdis return with two more operators as the Global Operator Challenge North America Regionals draw closer. Hear how they’re preparing for the big event, get tips to sharpen your own skills, and learn about the special Centennial paint job honoring 100 years of Cat® machines.

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Dirtmasters - Episode 3 Jeff Muniz and Jason Hurdis sit down with operators preparing to forge their legacies in the Global Operator Challenge. Then Jeff takes on a game of bags — with a Cat® backhoe loader. Who comes out on top?

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Global Operator Challenge (GOC) Regionals 2025: What Makes a Good Operator?

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Global Operator Challenge (GOC) Regionals 2025 brought to you by Caterpillar®: The Greatest Job

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Global Operator Challenge (GOC) Regionals 2025 brought to you by Caterpillar®: Moving Dirt Better

What's Happening on Social

Stay connected and feel the energy as real-time social posts from the Global Operator Challenge bring the competition right to you.

 

 

Event Photo Gallery

Explore some of the best moments captured during the Global Operator Challenge.

   

Cat excavator digging trech using grade technology
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Cat® Excavator digging trench using grade technology.

Cat 950 wheel loader navigating through obstacle course
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Cat 950 wheel loader navigating through obstacle course.

Cat 420 XE wheel loader picking up target payload
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Cat 420 XE wheel loader picking up target payload.

Sky view of a challenge course with various machines scattered across the competition area
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A skyview of the Global Operator Challenge Finals at CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2023. The framework for an event's obstacle course is set up and machines used in the events are scattered across the area.

Person with clipboard gesturing to group of people
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Each event is scored based on situation-specific penalties and overall time. Here, someone is talking through challenge scenarios to explain the goal of each event to competitors.



 

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