BLUCRU

Yamaha Motor Europe is pleased to announce the winners of the 2023 YZ bLU cRU FIM Europe Cup, following an outstanding season filled with exceptional talent. In the face of intense competition, 16-year-old Italian Giorgio Orlando was selected as the champion of this year’s YZ125 Cup, while two Danes, 13-year-old Bertram Thorius and 11-year-old Willads Gordon, claimed the highest honours in the YZ85 and YZ65 categories respectively.

The bLU cRU is open to all Yamaha YZ riders aged between 8 and 16 years and is free to join. You can sign up for the 2024 YZ bLU cRU FIM Europe Cup by clicking here. 

This year's YZ bLU cRU FIM Europe Cup attracted an unprecedented 538 young riders from across Europe, illustrating the program's growing popularity and its pivotal role in discovering and showcasing the future stars of MXGP. After an incredible year racing at national level, the competition reached its climax at the YZ bLU cRU FIM Europe Cup SuperFinale, which was held in front of a staggering 102,000 fans at the Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations in Ernée, France.

From the pool of 115 talented YZ riders that raced at the SuperFinale, 16 riders, including the standout female in each class, were selected to participate in the bLU cRU Masterclass, held over two-days at Motocross des Costières in France. This exclusive event provided a unique opportunity for these young riders to learn from MXGP legend Gautier Paulin, former WMX World Champion Nancy van de Ven, and bLU cRU Rider Coach Brian Jorgensen, all while showcasing their skills in pursuit of victory in the 2023 YZ bLU cRU FIM Europe Cup.

The exceptional level of talent displayed at the Masterclass made the selection of the winners a challenging task, but ultimately it was Orlando, Thorius, and Gordon who stood out in their respective categories for the selection committee, which was comprised of the three coaches, Brian Jorgensen, Nancy van de Ven and Gautier Paulin.

In the YZ125 class, Italian sensation Orlando demonstrated exceptional speed, skill, and determination, earning him a coveted spot in the JK Yamaha Supported MX Team. Orlando will compete in the 2024 EMX125 Championship aboard a GYTR kitted YZ125.

In the YZ85 category, Danish star-on-the-rise Thorius, who was the winner of the YZ65 Cup in 2021, showcased his talent and incredible transition to the YZ85, securing the top spot and garnering additional Yamaha support for his 2024 EMX85 season. Likewise, fellow Dane Gordon emerged as the YZ65 class winner and will also benefit from enhanced Yamaha support for his upcoming EMX65 season.

After the resounding success of the 2023 YZ Cup, Yamaha is pleased to announce a new opportunity for young talents to join the bLU cRU. In 2024, 120 riders will win a place on the gate at the YZ bLU cRU FIM Europe Cup SuperFinale, which is provisionally scheduled to take place at the Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations in the United Kingdom.

For those eager to be part of this incredible experience, the journey starts now. Click here to join the 2024 YZ bLU cRU FIM Europe Cup. 

Thorsten Lentink: Yamaha Motor Europe MX Racing Coordinator
“This year’s YZ bLU cRU FIM Europe Cup was impressive. Again, we’ve witnessed incredible growth and an exceptional level of talent. While selecting the winners was not an easy task, after analysing the finalists together with the Yamaha Racing committee and the three coaches, we are delighted to confirm Giorgio Orlando, Bertram Thorius and Willads Gordon as the winners. These three riders have shown great potential, both on track and off. For Giorgio, next season will be an exciting step in his career as he will take full advantage of his opportunity to join the JK Yamaha Supported MX Team to contest the full EMX125 season aboard a GYTR kitted YZ125. We look forward to having him inside the MXGP paddock next year and to see what he can achieve. At the same time, it is a pleasure to continue building our relationship with Bertram and Willads, both of these riders have followed the path of the bLU cRU for the past few years and we are delighted to provide them with extra support for their 2024 campaigns. On behalf of Yamaha Motor Europe, I would like to congratulate everyone who contested the YZ bLU cRU FIM Europe Cup this season. It was arguably one of the best seasons to date, and every single rider can be very proud of what they achieved! I’d also like to thank all of the bLU cRU families, whose unstinting support allows these young riders to showcase their talent on the world"

Yamaha Motor Europe is pleased to announce that registration is now open for the 2024 YZ125, YZ85 and YZ65 bLU cRU FIM Europe Cups. 

Young bLU cRU riders who want to take the opportunity to line-up at the YZ bLU cRU FIM Europe Cup SuperFinale at MXoN 2024, it is now the time to sign up.  

REGISTER HERE

ERNEE (France) 8 October 2023 - Italy’s Simone Mancini has taken victory in the 125 class at the YZ bLU cRU FIM Europe Cup SuperFinale after putting in a masterful display which saw him top timed practice, carve to the front and lead for the entire race.  

The YZ125 class were the first riders to race on Sunday at the Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations in Ernèe, France. As the October sun hit the hillsides around the sinuating circuit, the crowd came alive, treating the young riders to a taste of their enthusiastic and effervescent style of support. 

As the French fans roared the YZ125 riders off the gate, it was fellow Italian Giorgio Orlando who rushed to the holeshot. Switzerland’s Noe Zumstein slotted into second, and Mancini found himself third. But he attacked hard and rode the wheels off his Yamaha to pass his two rivals early in the first lap. 

From this point, Mancini was remarkably controlled and settled, keeping up an impressive rhythm even when he needed to pass slower riders towards the end of the race – with five minutes (plus two laps) left, he had a lead of 7.8 seconds. 

The battle behind Mancini was a little more tense, with Orlando and Zumstein initially squabbling it out for second and home rider Felix Cardineau also showing them his front wheel. Latvia’s Jekabs Kubulins, who rode strongly in Saturday’s timed practice, moved into fourth place and looked to chase after the leaders with great pace. 

However, ten minutes before the end, just as he attempted a pass for the podium, he injured his foot without going down. He initially entered the pits due to the pain but bravely decided to continue, desperate to finish the prestigious race. He crossed the line in 25th, a result that belies his true potential.

Cardineau also lost a place to his compatriot, Maho Simo, who moved into fourth in the latter stages of the intense race. Orlando and Zumstein did their best to hunt down Mancini, but it was clear they had to settle for second and third. The Top Female Rider was Nellie Fransson from Sweden.

In each of the YZ bLU cRU FIM Europe Cup SuperFinale categories, the top three finishers and two wild cards will receive an invite to the bLU cRU Masterclass that will take place in mid-November. There, one YZ125 rider will win a place in a Yamaha-supported EMX125 team for 2024, while the top-performing YZ65 and YZ85 youngsters will earn added support from Yamaha Motor Europe for next season.

Simone Mancini, YZ125 Winner: “For these two days here in Ernèe, my feeling with the bike has been fantastic, and I also felt great with his track. Yesterday, I took the fastest lap in timed practice, and to win today is a huge emotion. My family and team have put so much into this, and I want to thank them all. My goal when I arrived here was to get a victory, and I’m so happy to achieve it. I hope I can continue my career in the best possible way.”

YZ125 Race – Classification: Simone Mancini (ITA, Yamaha), 25:36.240; 2. Giorgio Orlando (ITA, Yamaha), +0:14.109; 3. Noe Zumstein (SUI, Yamaha), +0:28.855; 4. Maho Simo (FRA, Yamaha), +0:41.293; 5. Felix Cardineau (FRA, Yamaha), +0:44.203; 6. Oliver Martinsen (NOR, Yamaha), +0:51.989; 7. Gal Gersak (SLO, Yamaha), +1:05.760; 8. Emil Gordon Rohmann (DEN, Yamaha), +1:08.793; 9. Erik Frisagård (SWE, Yamaha), +1:17.346; 10. Ofir Casey Tzemach (ISR, Yamaha), +1:20.614

Main Photo: YZ125 Podium Yamaha Motor Europe Marketing and Motorsport Director's Paolo Pavesio, Infront Moto Racing CEO David Luongo, YZ125 Podium, FIM Europe Motocross Commission Vice Chairman Peter Goris

Top Photo:YZ125 Start

Bottom Photos: 1. Simone Mancini 2. Paolo Pavesio, David Luongo, Winners of YZ85, YZ125, YZ65, Peter Goris

YZ125 bLU cRU FIM Europe Cup SuperFinale Results

LINKS

Infront Moto Racing

FIM Europe

MXoN Ernee

Yamaha Racing

Ernée (France) 8 October 2023 – A fired-up French crowd were treated to two out of three YZ bLU cRU FIM Europe Cup SuperFinale races at the Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations in Ernèe on Saturday, with Denmark’s Storm Maymann and Willads Gordon emerging victorious in the YZ85 and YZ65 classes, respectively. 

This year, the European SuperFinale has roughly 40 riders in each of the three classes - YZ65, YZ85 and YZ125 – making it harder to call and more exciting than ever before as riders from all over Europe push hard to earn a spot in this year’s bLU cRU Masterclass which will take place in November. 
On Saturday, it was the turn of the youngest participants in the smallest capacity classes, and after a day of training on Thursday with expert advice from coaches Brian Jørgensen and Nancy van der Ven, they felt undaunted by the undulating Ernèe track. 
 

In the 85cc class, it was Denmark’s Bertram Thorius who got first gate pick after he topped the timed practice session, but when the race rolled around, he lost out on the holeshot to Austria’s Davi Dür. It would turn out to be a three-way fight between the trio for the entirety of the race, although once Maymann took the lead, he settled into a great rhythm. 

The young Dane never looked back once he hit the front and controlled the gap to his rivals nicely. However, things remained close between Dür and Thorius. The latter managed to make the move into second with one and a half laps to go, but a small crash saw him lose the spot again before the chequered flag. Switzerland’s Luis Santeussanio and Kay Zijlstra from the Netherlands completed the Top 5. Elin Rotsthen of Sweden finished as Top Female Rider. 

Storm Maymann, YZ85 Winner: “I started well, getting into third off the start. After that, I was going for the lead, but I made a little mistake on the first step down, and I couldn’t jump it, so I lost some ground. Then I recovered and got to the front, and I felt really good. It’s amazing to take this victory - I worked really hard to achieve a good result here. It’s been a tough season for me; winning was my goal, and I did it!”

YZ85  Race – Classification: 1. Storm Maymann (DEN, Yamaha), 20:07.920; 2. Davie Duer (AUT, Yamaha), +0:08.009; 3. Bertram Thorius (DEN, Yamaha), +0:15.548; 4. Luis Santeusanio (SUI, Yamaha), +0:23.469; 5. Kay Zijlstra (NED, Yamaha), +1:05.899; 6. Tylan Lagain (FRA, Yamaha), +1:07.384; 7. Louis Boutet (FRA, Yamaha), +1:11.816; 8. Storm Askbo (DEN, Yamaha), +1:15.847; 9. Enea Alamanni (ITA, Yamaha), +1:16.165; 10. Neo Nindelt (GER, Yamaha), +1:51.737

Main Photo: Yamaha Motor Europe Marketing and Motorsport Director's Paolo Pavesio, Infront Moto Racing CEO David Luongo, Winners of YZ65 and YZ85, FIM Europe Motocross Commission Vice Chairman Peter Goris

Top Photo: YZ85 Superfinale Start

Bottom Photos: 1. Storm Maymann; 2. YZ85 Superfinale Podium

YZ85 bLU cRU FIM Europe Cup SuperFinale Race Results

The YZ65 class saw Denmark take the double when Willads Gordon used the first gate pick he earned from setting the fastest lap in timed practice to great use, taking the holeshot and running away with it. After just two laps, he’d built an enormous lead of five and a half seconds, and with smooth and precise riding, he only increased this further as the race wore on. 

Maurice Heidegger (Austria) and Jann Huisman (Netherlands) went after the final two podium spots once it was clear that Gordon was uncatchable, and a small off for Heidegger further put paid to his chances. The front two seemed to be settled, but Huisman was hungry for more. 

However, the Dutch rider fell at the end of the race while trying to make up time, allowing local rider Ryan Lustenberger to snatch the final spot on the podium, much to the delight of the assembled fans. Huisman, therefore, finished fourth, while Alberto Rodriguez (Spain) completed the Top 5. Maria Inês Gandon was the Top Female Rider. 

Willads Gordon, YZ65 Winner: “I had a really good race. I was thinking before the start that maybe I could win, and I changed my mindset to say that instead, I should win. I wanted to smile and have fun, plus I really love this track; I think all of those things helped me. I rode in the SuperFinale in France last year and came third; now I was able to actually win – it’s great! I hope I will have a good future in this sport.”

YZ65  Race – Classification: 1. Willads Gordon (DEN, Yamaha), 17:04.933; 2. Maurice Heidegger (AUT, Yamaha), +0:20.739; 3. Ryan Lustenberger (FRA, Yamaha), +0:24.502; 4. Jann Huisman (NED, Yamaha), +0:31.320; 5. Alberto Rodriguez (ESP, Yamaha), +0:51.168; 6. Leo Gajser (SLO, Yamaha), +1:17.685; 7. Nael Lehmann (SUI, Yamaha), +1:21.963; 8. Ange Vernet (FRA, Yamaha), +1:24.562; 9. Thomas Bertacco (ITA, Yamaha), +1:41.074; 10. Brett Kastelijn (NED, Yamaha)

Top Photo: YZ65 Superfinale Start

Bottom Photos: 1. Willads Gordon; 2. YZ65 Superfinale Champions

YZ65 bLU cRU FIM Europe Cup SuperFinale Race Results

WEEKEND TIMETABLE (CEST)

SUNDAY: 08:35 B-Final Warm-up, 09:20 bLU cRU 125 Race, 10:00 MXoN Group 1 Warm-up, 10:20 MXoN Group 2 Warm-up, 11:00 B-Final, 13:10 MXGP & MX2 (MXoN Race 1), 14:40 MX2 & Open (MXoN Race 2), 16:08 Open & MXGP (MXoN Race 3).

LINKS

Infront Moto Racing

FIM Europe

MXoN Ernee

Yamaha Racing

As an exciting season of national-level racing draws to a close, the buzz is building for the upcoming 2023 YZ bLU cRU FIM Europe Cup SuperFinale. This year, 115 talented YZ 125cc, 85cc, and 65cc riders from 21 nations are gearing up for the 'SuperFinale,' which will take place during the 2023 Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations in Ernee, France, this weekend.

The 2023 YZ Cup SuperFinale marks the seventh edition of the YZ125 bLU cRU FIM Europe Cup and the third edition of the YZ85 and YZ65 bLU cRU FIM Europe Cups. Each class will see approximately 40 riders competing for a chance to secure an invite to the bLU cRU Masterclass, scheduled for early November in France.

From the SuperFinale, the top three finishers from each class, along with two wildcard riders and the top-performing female rider in each category, will earn a coveted invitation to the prestigious bLU cRU Masterclass.

Headlined by former FIM Women’s Motocross World Champion Nancy van de Ven and ex-Factory Yamaha rider Brian Jorgensen, the bLU cRU Masterclass goes beyond on-track performance. It serves as a selection stage, where the Yamaha Motor Europe Racing Committee will evaluate and select the winners based on their talent, dedication, willingness to learn, and overall attitude, both on and off the track.

The winner of the YZ125 bLU cRU FIM Europe Cup will win an incredible opportunity to join a Yamaha-supported EMX125 team, where they will race a GYTR kitted YZ125 in the 2024 EMX125 Championship. Additionally, the EMX85 and EMX65 riders will receive added support from Yamaha Motor Europe for their 2024 seasons.

The YZ bLU cRU FIM Europe Cup SuperFinale serves as a stepping stone for talented youngsters aiming for a career in Grand Prix racing. It is designed to bridge the gap between national and international level racing, offering young Yamaha riders a life-changing opportunity to compete on the world stage, while gaining maximum exposure.

All of the YZ bLU cRU FIM Europe Cup SuperFinale action will be streamed live, and free of charge, on www.MXGP-TV.com.

Photo Credit: Yamaha Racing