Australian Preseason Development Gets 2026 Season Off To A Flying Start
Yamaha Motor Australia was pleased to play a key role in supporting the pre-season rider development program and opening round of the 2026 Yamaha YZF-R3 BLU CRU Asia-Pacific Cup Championship, held alongside Round 2 of the Australian Superbike Championship at Sydney Motorsport Park recently. The event marked several firsts for the series, including its first appearance at Sydney Motorsport Park and the first time the series has raced under lights.
A total of 20 riders will contest the 2026 championship, representing countries across the Asia-Pacific region, including Australia, China, Thailand, New Zealand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines. Eight Australian and New Zealand riders are competing in this year’s series.
In addition to advice and local knowledge, the Yamaha Motor Australia Land Mobility team also supplied six YZ85 motocross bikes converted to motard specification with 12-inch wheels and slick tyres sourced from the United States, as well as four YZF-R15 and four YZF-R3 road bikes. These machines were used during pre-season training sessions on the skid-pan facility at Sydney Motorsport Park, with the YZ85 motard bikes proving extremely popular with riders and coaches. Yamalube products were also supplied for both testing and race use, along with genuine Yamaha parts where required.
Yamaha Racing Team rider Mike Jones also joined the coaching group during the pre-season program, providing coaching input and sharing his extensive knowledge of the Sydney Motorsport Park Grand Prix circuit. As one of Australia’s top riders, Mike was able to provide valuable input not only for the riders, but also for staff to incorporate into their training and development program.
A highlight of preseason week was a visit to Yamaha Motor Australia’s head office in Wetherill Park, providing riders and team personnel with a rare behind-the-scenes look at Yamaha’s Australian operations. The visit began in the service training facility, where Matthew Ferry, General Manager Sales & Marketing – Land Mobility, delivered a presentation outlining Yamaha Motor Australia’s structure, its multiple business divisions and the breadth of products and services offered beyond motorcycles. Scott Bishop, Motorsport Manager – Land Mobility, followed with an overview of Yamaha’s racing activities in Australia, including the Yamaha Racing Team and the strength of the BLU CRU program. He detailed how Yamaha’s racing strategy supports both on-road and off-road competition and highlighted the strong presence of Yamaha riders at national racing events as a result of this ongoing support.
The group was then taken on a guided tour of the technical training area and police motorcycle assembly section, before visiting the warehouse, where National Spares, Parts and Accessories Warehouse Manager, Michael Viles, provided insight into the scale of logistics behind Yamaha’s parts and distribution network. The visit concluded with a group photo and lunch hosted by the YMA Land Mobility team.
Kornkasin Phornsiricherd (Gaew), Planning & Activities Section, Motorsport Department, Yamaha Motor Thailand, said the support provided by Yamaha Motor Australia was instrumental in preparing the riders for the season ahead. “This is the first time we have conducted pre-season in Australia and the first time we have started the championship outside of Thailand,” he explained. “We are very appreciative of Yamaha Motor Australia’s support in delivering this event.”
Gaew also explained how the Yamaha R3 BLU CRU Asia-Pacific Championship provides a pathway for riders progressing from national competition through to international level, acting as a key stepping stone towards the Yamaha R3 BLU CRU FIM World Cup and beyond. “Pre-season development plays a critical role in that pathway, focusing on rider skills, physical and mental performance, bike knowledge and racecraft, while allowing coaches to tailor individual development plans,” he added.
Speaking after the visit, Matthew Ferry, General Manager Sales & Marketing – Land Mobility, said that welcoming the riders and teams into the YMA head office was an important part of the training and development program. “It gives them a clear understanding of the scale of Yamaha Motor Australia and how closely our business is connected to racing,” he said. “Supporting initiatives like the BLU CRU Asia-Pacific Championship is about more than competition; it’s about developing riders and strengthening the global Yamaha network.”
Once at the track and ready to race, the Yamaha YZF-R3 BLU CRU Asia-Pacific Cup Championship delivered a highly professional presence within the ASBK paddock. Exciting on-track action was backed by eye-catching Yamaha BLU CRU branding that complemented the Yamaha Racing Team and Oceania Junior Cup, as well as the large number of Yamaha-supported riders competing across all categories.
The championship now moves to The Bend Motorsport Park in South Australia for Round 2 on May 1–3, with further rounds scheduled in Indonesia, Japan and Thailand.
Learn more about the 2026 Yamaha YZF-R3 BLU CRU Asia-Pacific Cup Championship: https://www.yamahablucruasiapacific.com/
