The stage is set for an electrifying 2026 season of the FIM Yamaha R3 BLU CRU World Cup, as the world’s most promising young motorcycle racers prepare to battle for honours on the global stage. With 2025 champion Alessandro Di Persio stepping up to the all-new FIM Sportbike World Championship, the fight for the title will be wide open.
This year’s entry list features an impressive 24 full-time riders aged 14-18 from 10 different countries, including Brazil, Indonesia, Japan, the Dominican Republic, and the USA, making the 2026 edition of the FIM R3 BLU CRU World Cup a truly global competition. Additionally, there will also be a number of local wildcard riders at races across the six-round season.
American talent Chris Clark (BGR Smrz Racing) – who made history with his win in the season opener at Portimão, becoming the first American to win in the series, returns with unfinished business, while Brazil’s rising contender Aymon Bocanegra (Yamaha AD78 FIM Latinoamérica) will be looking to continue his momentum following a dramatic final-race win last season.
Also returning to the grid is young Dutch rider Indi Schunselaar (Yamaha Ten Kate Racing), entering his third year in the series. Although one of the youngest riders in the field, Schunselaar has shown steady progression over the last two seasons scoring points in a highly competitive field of riders and will be aiming to continue to progress throughout the field.
Another rising star to watch is Dominican Republic talent Xarly Méndez De Oleo (DPR Team), who in 2025 quickly established himself as one of the most determined and exciting riders on the grid. De Oleo has shown flashes of front-running pace and continues to develop into a serious contender. With valuable experience now behind him, the 2026 season could mark his breakthrough in the fight for podiums and victories.
The 2026 entry list of riders also includes a field of five Japanese competitors, including Kakeru Okunuki who had a strong rookie season in 2025 with a highest place finish of third place in Aragon, along with rising talent Hinata Okada who graduates from the 2025 BLU CRU Mastercamp into the series.
Entering the championship for the first time is a host of new riders including Charlie Huntingford (UK), Frederico Guimaraes (Portugal), and Greg Marshall (USA) as well as Brazilian talent Leonardo Marques Barbim who participated in the 2025 BLU CRU Mastercamp – all of whom will be hoping to make their mark and showcase their talents on the world stage.
The championship continues to serve as a proven pathway to professional success, offering identical machinery and a level playing field where skill, determination, and courage define the next generation of racing stars.
With close battles, fearless overtakes, and career-defining moments guaranteed, the 2026 FIM Yamaha R3 BLU CRU World Cup promises to deliver the most competitive and unpredictable season yet.
🏁 2026 FIM Yamaha R3 BLU CRU World Cup — Provisional Entry List
| No. | Rider | Country | Team Name | Birth Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 81 | Daniel Krabacher | Austria | Yamaha Racing BLU CRU Austria | 08/01/2008 |
| 23 | Aymon Bocanegra Boone | Brazil | Yamaha AD78 FIM Latinomérica | 03/01/2008 |
| 9 | Leonardo Marques Barbim | Brazil | Yamaha AD78 FIM Latinomérica | 07/10/2008 |
| 78 | Heitor Santana | Brazil | Yamaha AD78 FIM Latinomérica | 26/11/2008 |
| 6 | Xarly Méndez De Oleo | Dominican Rep. | DPR Team | 06/02/2010 |
| 72 | Ruggero Betti | Italy | Bierreti Racing | 15/01/2008 |
| 44 | Salvatore Germano | Italy | Team Trasimeno | 24/04/2009 |
| 77 | Angelo Moltato | Italy | AG Motorsport Italia | 26/01/2007 |
| 55 | Emanuele Pastore | Italy | ARCO MotoR University Team | 22/10/2008 |
| 11 | Hinata Okada | Japan | Yamaha Racing BLU CRU Asia Pacific | 14/01/2009 |
| 32 | Kakeru Owunuki | Japan | Yamaha Racing BLU CRU Asia Pacific | 14/01/2008 |
| 13 | Richi Takahira | Japan | Tiamyu Asia Racing Team | 14/01/2009 |
| 8 | Rintaro Takemoto | Japan | Yamaha Racing BLU CRU Japan | 14/01/2008 |
| 7 | Jean Kento Turner | Japan | Izumi Color | 08/01/2010 |
| 27 | Indi Schunselaer | Netherlands | Yamaha Ten Kate Racing | 19/01/2010 |
| 46 | Frederico Guimaraes | Portugal | APX CONCEPT by Higudse2Cobrent | 27/12/2008 |
| 10 | Francisco Pires | Portugal | FRW Racing Team | 09/11/2008 |
| 7 | Mauro Gomez Gonzalez | Spain | ARCO MotoR University Team | 27/11/2009 |
| 85 | Alessandro Binder | Switzerland | BGR Smrz Racing | 06/10/2008 |
| 76 | Charlie Huntington | UK | Holmes plant Mototechnics Racing | 02/01/2009 |
| 95 | Greg Marshall | UK | AG Motorsport Italia | 02/01/2008 |
| 25 | Nathan Clark | USA | Betomotors Racing | 15/11/2006 |
| 5 | Christopher Clark | USA | BGR Smrz Racing | 15/11/2006 |
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