Designed to provide a route from national to international racing, the Yamaha R3 bLU cRU European Cup is a new series open to riders aged between 12 and 20 years. The championship will be contested over six rounds, with two races per weekend, in support of the FIM Superbike World Championship.
On the first day in Misano, the riders were issued with their KYT helmets, Gaerne Boots and Gimoto leathers, and were given a Welcome Brief to introduce them to the series. The youngsters were also presented with their Yamaha R3 machinery, which they would be riding for the first time on the second day.
Before the riders got going, they took part in a technical workshop in the morning of day two, to gain a better understanding for how to set-up and work with their bikes, while they also attended a riders’ briefing.
On-track action was split into six 20-minute sessions, with the ever-changing conditions meaning the competitors got to experience riding with both the slick and rain compound Pirelli tyres. After a wet first session, the track continued to dry until the rain returned ahead of the fifth session, which was forced to be cancelled, before it dried up again for the final run ahead of the 2021 campaign.
The young riders will return to the Italian venue on 11 - 12 June for the opening round of the season, where they will go head-to-head to become the first winners of the Yamaha R3 bLU cRU European Cup. As well as the 25 permanent riders, there’s still an opportunity for youngsters to join the series at various rounds as wildcards after the Misano opener.
