BLUCRU

The fourth annual YZ bLU cRU camp organised by Yamaha Germany was held at MC Westerhausen with 24 youngsters creating memories that will last a lifetime while benefiting from the advice of motocross stars such as Gautier Paulin, Mike Stender, and Gerrit Heistermann on the 12th-13th of August

The sun was shining, and conditions were ideal for the two-day annual camp that is now in its fourth consecutive year, with an invitation open to all of the German YZ bLU cRU European Cup riders, and many took the opportunity to attend and learn from some of the best in the business, while also having some fun along the way. 

MC Westerhausen was the perfect venue for the event, not only because of the challenging but enjoyable nature of the track but also because all of the bLU cRU classes will race there during the 2023 German Championship season. 

Open to riders aged 8-16 years of age, the group of participants consisted of nine YZ65 riders, ten from the YZ85 class, and five YZ125 competitors. The bLU cRU program is designed to provide a structured platform for young riders from national cups all the way to the world championship level, and while competition is key, the friendly atmosphere at the camp was evident for all to see, with each of the young riders joined by their families at the camp.

Technical workshops from Paulin, a five-time MXoN Winner, former European MX Champion, and MXGP runner-up, alongside German MX Champion Stender, plus TYK racing rider Heistermann were some of the highlights of the event, as the star riders passed on their knowledge to the young rippers, giving them tips on such elements as training, nutrition, and race preparation. 

Another aim of the weekend was to prepare the riders for the possibility of racing in the YZ European Cup SuperFinale in case they qualify. The popularity of the Yamaha Motor Europe YZ bLU cRU FIM Europe Cup continues to grow apace, with a record number of 536 young riders from 28 countries taking part in the unique pan-European race series on Yamaha YZ65, YZ85, and YZ125 machinery

The top 40 riders in each category will then be invited to race at the SuperFinale, which in 2023 will take place at the FIM Motocross des Nations in Ernée, France, on the 6th-8th of October. The top three finishers and two wildcards from each class at the SuperFinale will earn a place at the prestigious Yamaha bLU cRU Masterclass at the end of the year. 

At this event, the selected riders are put through their paces under the watchful eye of Yamaha's factory MXGP and MX2 riders before the winners are chosen. One YZ125 rider will receive the ultimate prize of a ride with a Yamaha Motor Europe-supported team in the 2024 EMX 125 Championship. In addition, one rider from each of the YZ65 and YZ85 categories will be selected to receive additional Yamaha support and GYTR parts for the following season.

While the aim may be to prepare the young riders for their shot at a chance to become professional riders, it was also about giving them an experience they would never forget, with several fun activities taking place over the weekend. These included a PW50 race to crown the “2023 King of the Blue Melon” and a gathering around the campfire on Saturday afternoon with grilled marshmallows and racing stories the order of the day. 

All of the families also enjoyed meals together with a superb atmosphere in the SHR Motorsports Team hospitality, and each rider at the camp also received a free 3m x 3m marquee thanks to Weber Werke GmbH, a supporter of the German YZ bLU cRU Cup. The weekend ended with a special prize-giving ceremony, and the hope is that everyone who attended the two-day event will have learnt some valuable racing lessons and made some amazing memories that will stay with them forever.

Sebastian Klein    
Yamaha Germany - Manager RVPP & MX
“Again, we really enjoyed this fourth national YZ bLU cRU camp at MC Westerhausen. This beautiful track in the Harz region was very well prepared, and it is also one of the last rounds in the German championship, where all the bLU cRU classes will race later this season. The fact that Gautier Paulin showed up as a “surprise” was fantastic, and he, together with the other trainers, Mike Stender and Gerrit Heistermann, did a great job in teaching the kids and helping them to improve. I want to thank the SHR Motorsports Team for providing their hospitality unit and everybody involved who helped to make this camp a great time for all the bLU cRU riders and their families.”

Yamaha Motor Europe is pleased to announce the 2022 YZ bLU cRU FIM Europe Cup winners are Nicolai Skovbjerg in the YZ125 category, Dani Tsankov in the YZ85 class, and Tylan Lagain in the YZ65 division.

A record-breaking 395 young riders from every corner of Europe signed up for this year’s YZ bLU cRU FIM Europe Cup, with more than 100 of them then contesting the YZ Cup SuperFinale at the penultimate round of the FIM Motocross World Championship in Saint Jean d’Angely, France.

From the SuperFinale, 16 riders from eight different countries were invited to attend the bLU cRU Masterclass, which offered them an exclusive opportunity to ride with and learn from Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP’s Jeremy Seewer, bLU cRU Rider Coach Brian Jorgensen, and Yamaha Motor Europe MX Coordiantor, Thorsten Lentink, while showcasing their skills in an effort to win their category in the 2022 YZ bLU cRU FIM Europe Cup.

At the Masterclass, it was clear that this year’s talent level was exceptional. All 16 of the youngsters impressed, both on and off the track, which made selecting the winners extremely difficult.  Nevertheless, there can only be one winner in each class.

Following a triumphant display of speed, skill and determination, paired with a fantastic attitude, the YZ125 category winner is 16-year-old Danish rider Skovbjerg, who earns a place in the JK Yamaha Supported MX Team, where he will contest the 2023 EMX125 Championship aboard a GYTR kitted YZ125.

13-year-old Bulgarian Tsankov, who has made an incredible transition from the YZ65 to the YZ85 this season, has been selected as the winner in the YZ85 division, while 11-year-old Lagain was awarded the top spot in the YZ65 class. Tsankov and Lagain will benefit from additional Yamaha support for their 2023 seasons.

Join the bLU cRU!

The YZ bLU cRU FIM Europe Cup is a groundbreaking program used by Yamaha Motor Europe to discover and showcase the future stars of motocross while allowing young riders to build memories that will last a lifetime. The program helps pave the way for those riders that wish to take the next step in their budding careers, from National level racing to International.

Following the great success of this year’s YZ Cup, Yamaha is delighted to offer a new opportunity for youngsters to join the bLU cRU. As in previous years, 120 riders will win a place on the gate at the YZ bLU cRU FIM Europe Cup Superfinale, which, in 2023, will take place at the biggest motocross event of the year, the Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations in France!

For more information about the YZ bLU cRU FIM Europe Cup or to enter the 2023 edition, click here.

Thorsten Lentink, Yamaha Motor Europe MX Racing Coordinator: “This year was arguably the best and most competitive year inside the YZ bLU cRU FIM Europe Cup. We were very impressed with the depth of talent and level of competition we witnessed. While selecting the winners was not an easy task, it is with great pleasure that we can announce Nicolai Skovbjerg, Dani Tsankov and Tylan Lagain as this year’s winners. These three riders have shown great potential, backing up their fantastic performances at the SuperFinale in France with a strong showing at the Masterclass in Spain. For Nicolai, next season will be a big and exciting step in his career as he joins 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, while for Dani and Tylan, Yamaha Motor Europe will provide them with extra support for their 2023 campaigns. On behalf of Yamaha Motor Europe, I would like to congratulate everyone who contested the YZ bLU cRU FIM Europe Cup this season. You can be proud of the progress you have made, and we look forward to seeing you back on track in 2023!”

Photo copyrights: Yamaha Racing

Yamaha Motor Europe is pleased to announce that registration is now open for the 2023 YZ125, YZ85 and YZ65 bLU cRU FIM Europe Cups. Following the great success of this years’ YZ Cup SuperFinale, Yamaha is delighted to offer a new opportunity for young bLU cRU riders to compete for one of 120 places on the gate at the 2023 YZ bLU cRU Superfinale, which will take place at the biggest and most-watched event of the season, the Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations in Ernée, France.

In addition to the once-in-a-lifetime experience on offer, one rider in each YZ cup class will receive valuable support from Yamaha Motor Europe for their 2024 racing season.

Since 2015 for the YZ125 participants, and 2019 for the YZ85 and 65 riders, the bLU cRU FIM Europe Cup Superfinale has been the best event for grass-roots level motocross riders to experience the world of professional racing. 

The bLU cRU program is open to riders that ride either a YZ125, YZ85 or YZ65 in one of the approved national championships, where throughout their respective seasons they will accumulate bLU cRU points. The best 40 riders in each class will be invited to race the YZ bLU cRU FIM Europe Cup SuperFinale, which this year will take place at the prestigious Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations.

At the Superfinale, the top three riders from each class, along with two carefully selected wild card riders from each category, will receive an invite to the bLU cRU Masterclass, which takes place in Spain at the end of the season. 

The Masterclass is an event specifically designed to give young riders a taste of what the racing world can throw at them. It is also a place for aspiring riders to receive expert training and advice from Yamaha’s factory MXGP and MX2 riders. At the end of the two-day Masterclass, one YZ125 rider will be chosen to join a Yamaha supported EMX125 Team where he or she will contest the EMX125 Championship in 2024, while the YZ65 and YZ85 winners will receive additional support from Yamaha for their next seasons.

For riders that want a chance to line up at the YZ bLU cRU FIM Europe Cup SuperFinale at MXoN 2023, now is the time to enter. Follow the instructions on the following link and sign up as soon as possible. Entries close 28 February 2023.

Click here to sign up for the 2023 YZ bLU cRU FIM Europe Cup.

The French crowd was treated to two more superb YZ bLU cRU FIM Europe Cup SuperFinale races on Sunday at Saint Jean D'Angély, which saw Italy’s Nicola Salvini and Bulgarian youngster Dani Tsankov storm to victory in the YZ125 and YZ85 races.

Today marked the end of the hugely successful 2022 YZ bLU cRU FIM Europe Cup SuperFinale, which saw more than 100 riders battle it out for a spot at the unique bLU cRU Masterclass event at the end of this year.

Main Photo: YZ bLU cRU FIM Europe Cup SuperFinale Winners pictured with Andrea Barbieri FIM Europe Commission Chairman (left) Infront Moto Racing COO Daniele Rizzi and Paolo Pavesio Marketing & Motorsport Director, Yamaha Motor Europe (right)

Photos: 1. YZ65 bLU cRU FIM Europe Cup SuperFinale Start | 2. YZ65 bLU cRU FIM Europe Cup SuperFinale Podium

Following yesterday’s YZ65 race, which was won by young French talent Tylan Lagain, ahead of Davi Dür and Willads Gordon, the YZ125 riders were first to take to the track on Sunday morning.

Photos: 1. YZ125 bLU cRU FIM Europe Cup SuperFinale Start | 2. YZ125 bLU cRU FIM Europe Cup SuperFinale Podium Pictured with Andrea Barbieri FIM Europe Commission Chairman (left) and Infront Moto Racing COO Daniele Rizzi (right)

Salvini was given first gate pick after qualifying just 0.055s ahead of fellow Italian Maurizio Scollo, who showed promise in last year’s YZ125 SuperFinale at Mantova, where he finished fifth.

The Italian duo proved to be the class of the field at the MXGP Charente Maritime event, with Salvini just edging ahead in the early stages. Scollo set a blistering pace behind though, but while running less than a second adrift of his rival the #329 rider fell on Lap 6, dropping 10 seconds behind the leader.

Scollo picked himself up and quickly began reeling in Salvini, setting the fastest lap in the process. On the final lap, he was back to within a second of the lead but fell again, seeing Salvini claim the YZ125 SuperFinale victory.

After a mammoth effort, Scollo was still able to salvage second overall, with Denmark’s Nicolai Skovbjerg completing the podium having overtaken Spain’s Salvador Perez earlier in the contest.

Perez eventually came home in fourth, ahead of Norwegian youngster Adrian Bolviken, both showing strong progress compared to last year’s event. Amalie Møller Gertsen won the award for Top Female Rider, with youngest rider Emile De Baere enjoying a stellar outing to finish inside the top 20 overall.

Photos: 1. Dani Tsankov | 2. YZ85 bLU cRU FIM Europe Cup SuperFinale Podium Pictured with Andrea Barbieri FIM Europe Commission Chairman (left) and Infront Moto Racing COO Daniele Rizzi (right)

In the YZ85 race, Luis Raoul Santeusanio was given first gate pick after dominating yesterday’s Time Practice. The Swiss rider took the early lead ahead of French youngster Tim Langue and Tsankov, who was sidelined on Saturday after a technical problem.

Despite this, the Bulgarian was quickly on the pace and moved up to second on Lap 2, before putting pressure on race leader Santeusanio. Tsankov then moved into the lead after his rival fell and dropped to P2, losing 16 seconds.

This allowed Tsankov to cruise to victory, going one better than he did in the YZ65 class last year, while Santeusanio consolidated a second-place finish to mark an impressive YZ85 SuperFinale debut.

Langue rounded off the podium places in third, beating Spain’s Iker Diez and Israeli youngster Ori Stark, who had been running in the podium positions before a fall early on.

Swedish rider Tuva Nelson came home in 11th overall, seeing her pick up the Top Female Rider trophy, while the youngest rider, Kay Zijlstra of The Netherlands, put in a stunning performance to go eighth overall.

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 November in Spain. There, one YZ125 rider will win a place in a Yamaha-supported EMX125 team for 2023, while the top performing YZ65 and YZ85 youngsters will earn added support from Yamaha Motor Europe for the next season.

Nicola Salvini – YZ125 bLU cRU FIM Europe Cup SuperFinale Winner: “I had a very good start and was able to take first position early in the race. I held onto it all the way through and eventually took victory. I’m really happy for this; it has been a great weekend, so thanks to everyone who made it possible.”

Dani Tsankov – YZ85 bLU cRU FIM Europe Cup SuperFinale Winner: “It was a great race for me and I’m really happy to win. Thanks to my family, sponsors, Yamaha and the team. It was not an easy weekend overall after missing practice yesterday, but in the end I’m first and am now looking forward to the Masterclass.”

Tylan Lagain – YZ65 bLU cRU FIM Europe Cup SuperFinale Winner: “I am very happy to win the SuperFinale in my home country. It was a fun race; I really like the track, and it was cool to meet the MXGP riders also yesterday. Thank you to Yamaha and my family for supporting me, I can’t wait to be at the Masterclass.”

YZ125 bLU cRU FIM Europe Cup SuperFinale Top 10 Classification: 1. Nicola Salvini (ITA, Yamaha), 30:28.375; 2. Maurizio Scollo (ITA, Yamaha), +0:17.644; 3. Nicolai Skovbjerg (DEN, Yamaha), +0:26.075; 4. Salvador Perez (ESP, Yamaha), +0:38.200; 5. Adrian Bolviken (NOR, Yamaha), +0:46.354; 6. Sandro Lobo (POR, Yamaha), +0:49.949; 7. Mathis Barthez (FRA, Yamaha), +0:58.403; 8. Carlos Prat (ESP, Yamaha), +1:25.399; 9. Giorgio Orlando (ITA, Yamaha), +1:47.071; 10. Eric van Helvoirt (NED, Yamaha), -1 lap(s);

YZ85 bLU cRU FIM Europe Cup SuperFinale Top 10 Classification: 1. Dani Tsankov (BUL, Yamaha), 21:55.562; 2. Luis Raoul Santeusanio (SUI, Yamaha), +0:08.646; 3. Tim Langue (FRA, Yamaha), +0:41.230; 4. Iker Diez (ESP, Yamaha), +0:52.624; 5. Ori Stark (ISR, Yamaha), +1:05.444; 6. Elias Nyström (SWE, Yamaha), +1:43.898; 7. Mio-Onni Rautiainen (FIN, Yamaha), +1:50.806; 8. Kay Zijlstra (NED, Yamaha), +2:00.454; 9. Jaume Martinez (ESP, Yamaha), +2:16.591; 10. Alexander Brondbjerg (DEN, Yamaha), +2:24.551;

YZ65 bLU cRU FIM Europe Cup SuperFinale Top 10 Classification: 1. Tylan Lagain (FRA, YAM), 25 points; 2. Davi Dür (AUT, YAM), 22 p.; 3. Willads Gordon (DEN, YAM), 20 p.; 4. Alberto Rodriguez (ESP, YAM), 18 p.; 5. Esteve Abella (ESP, YAM), 16 p.; 6. Doma Paizs (HUN, YAM), 15 p.; 7. Miska Laine (FIN, YAM), 14 p.; 8. Loïc Antoine (GER, YAM), 13 p.; 9. Nixon Coppins (GBR, YAM), 12 p.; 10. Liam Gaasbeek (NED, YAM), 11 p.; 11. Karl Kristman (EST, YAM), 10 p.; 12. Francisco Fernandes (POR, YAM), 9 p

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