Published October 21, 2025 by Michael Le Pard , Editor‑in‑Chief
After an incredible 2025 season, registration is now open for the 2026 FIM R3 BLU CRU World Cup, offering the next generation of riders the chance to race alongside the FIM Superbike World Championship and fight for the ultimate reward, a Yamaha-supported ride in the 2027 FIM Sportbike World Championship.
With the dust still settling on a spectacular 2025 edition of the FIM R3 BLU CRU World Cup, it is now time to sign up to compete in 2026. The FIM R3 BLU CRU World Cup is a road-race series created to provide a path to the world stage for young riders aged 14 to 20. It is contested across twelve races at six European rounds of the FIM Superbike World Championship.
The FIM R3 BLU CRU World Cup sees all competitors racing identical Yamaha R3 machines to provide a level playing field and allow talent to shine through, with the ultimate prize on offer to the winner a coveted Yamaha-supported ride in the FIM Sportbike World Championship (WorldSPB), the new entry-level class in WorldSBK that replaces WorldSSP300 from 2026.
2026 FIM R3 BLU CRU World Cup Calendar
Pre-Season Test – Cremona, Italy | 9 April
Round 1 – Balaton Park, Hungary | 2–3 May
Round 2 – MotorLand Aragon, Spain | 30–31 May
Round 3 – Donington Park, United Kingdom | 11–12 July
Round 4 – Magny-Cours, France | 5–6 September
Round 5 – Cremona, Italy | 26–27 September
Round 6 – Estoril, Portugal | 10–11 October
Created in 2021 as part of the SBK Roadway and Yamaha’s award-winning BLU CRU program, the FIM R3 BLU CRU World Cup forms a key step in the Yamaha Racing pyramid, and with the addition of the BLU CRU Pramac Yamaha Moto2 Team in 2025, Yamaha now offers the most direct and supported path from grassroots racing all the way to the very top of the sport.
At the core of this pathway is the BLU CRU road-racing structure, where riders progress from national competitions to regional Yamaha R3 Cups, then the FIM R3 BLU CRU World Cup. From there, the best talents can move into WorldSPB in 2026, step up to WorldSSP, and ultimately aim to race in WorldSBK or MotoGP with Yamaha.
The BLU CRU program creates a professional environment that encourages, nurtures and builds tomorrow’s racing stars through the guidance and unparalleled experience of the Yamaha Racing world. More than 850 young riders benefited from BLU CRU initiatives in 2025, confirming its position as one of the most effective talent-development systems in motorcycle racing.
Highlighting its appeal, the 2025 FIM R3 BLU CRU World Cup entry list featured 18 full-time riders aged 14–18 from 10 different countries, including Brazil, Indonesia, Japan, the Dominican Republic and the USA, making the 2025 edition of the FIM R3 BLU CRU World Cup a truly global competition.
After a sensational season, Italian rider Alessandro Di Persio was crowned the 2025 FIM R3 BLU CRU World Cup champion after a remarkable campaign that included seven race wins and multiple podium finishes. Arai Agaska (Indonesia) finished second overall, with Mario Salles Neto (Brazil) third after a closely fought battle that went down to the final round.
Di Persio will now move up to WorldSPB in 2026, as he attempts to emulate the success of former FIM R3 BLU CRU World Cup rider, Aldi Satya Mahendra, who became the first Indonesian road-racing World Champion when he won the 2024 FIM Supersport 300 World Championship, before stepping into the FIM Supersport World Championship with the Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing WorldSSP Supported Team in 2025, perfectly showcasing how the BLU CRU program supports the best young talents from national to international success.
Another key aspect of the BLU CRU road racing program is the Yamaha BLU CRU Master Camp, where selected riders are invited to learn from some of Yamaha’s biggest stars. The 2025 edition in Valencia perfectly embodied that mission, as over five days of intense training, participants were coached and mentored by MotoGP and WorldSBK stars Fabio Quartararo, Alex Rins, Jack Miller, Miguel Oliveira, Jonathan Rea, Andrea Locatelli, Remy Gardner, Izan Guevara, Tony Arbolino, Stefano Manzi, Yuki Okamoto, and Mahendra. For the young riders, it was an unparalleled chance to learn from World Champions and legends of the sport, gaining insight into technique, preparation, discipline, and mindset that will influence their careers for years to come.
To further support and help riders grow throughout the season, a dedicated FIM R3 BLU CRU World Cup village is set up in the WorldSBK paddock at each round. All the competitors are based there and can benefit from guidance, technical assistance, and mentoring from the BLU CRU coaches and mechanics.
Constantly evolving, the FIM R3 BLU CRU World Cup races are now broadcast live on the Yamaha Racing YouTube Channel, bringing the excitement of the series to hundreds of thousands of fans worldwide, plus the series also benefits from exposure on the Yamaha Racing social media channels, dedicated BLU CRU Instagram and TikTok accounts, and via the WorldSBK platforms, ensuring that the series receives truly global exposure.
Entry costs for the 2026 FIM R3 BLU CRU World Cup remain focused on keeping it as accessible as possible to young riders around the world, which means the package for the entire season, including the use of a race prepared Yamaha R3, together with the provision of leathers, gloves, boots, helmet, tyres, fuel and season entry fees, is €32,500 (Euros).
Following the success of this year’s series, interest is expected to be high for 2026 and with only 30 grid slots available, early registration is essential, so make sure you sign up now to compete in the 2026 FIM R3 BLU CRU World Cup before entries close at midnight on 31st March 2026.
Michael Le Pard (“Mr. Totalmotorcycle”) is the Founder of Total Motorcycle, the world’s largest motorcycle information site, trusted by over 430 million riders since 1999. With over 34 years of experience in motorcycles, gear and rider culture, he has built a global community dedicated to empowering and inspiring motorcyclists.
Total Motorcycle remains his passion project. Combining expert research, hands‑on knowledge and a commitment to helping riders make informed decisions about bikes, gear and safety worldwide.
