BLUCRU

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

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.