Ten Young Riders Set for 2025 Yamaha BLU CRU Master Camp in Valencia

Yamaha Motor Europe is delighted to announce the ten promising young riders, including one female, aged 15-18, representing eight different countries, who have been selected for the 2025 Yamaha BLU CRU Master Camp. This exciting five-day, once-in-a-lifetime experience will take place from August 27 to 31 in Valencia. Hosted at the state-of-the-art Aspar Motorsport Complex, the event is designed to inspire and prepare the next generation of world champions. Participants will have the unique opportunity to train and learn directly from some of the biggest Yamaha stars from MotoGP and WorldSBK, making it a truly invaluable experience for aspiring racers.

This is the first edition of the Master Camp since Yamaha ended its long-standing partnership with VR46 in 2024. Initially launched in 2016 as the Yamaha VR46 Master Camp, the program has now been fully integrated into Yamaha’s award-winning BLU CRU program. With new additions like the BLU CRU Pramac Yamaha Moto2 Team and the Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP Team introduced in 2025, Yamaha now offers the most direct and supported progression paths from grassroots racing to the pinnacle of the sport.

The BLU CRU road racing program is central to that mission. It provides a clear and structured pathway from national-level competition through regional Yamaha R3 cups and championships into the FIM R3 BLU CRU World Cup. From there, top-performing riders can progress to the new for 2026 FIM World Sportbike Championship, before stepping up into the FIM Supersport World Championship, with the ultimate aim to secure a ride in WorldSBK or even MotoGP with Yamaha.

Ten standout riders have been selected for the Yamaha BLU CRU Master Camp, each earning their invitation after their talent and potential stood out in their respective championships. Highlighting the worldwide appeal of the BLU CRU program, the riders come from five different continents and eight different countries. Spain’s Natalia Rivera, who currently competes in the FIM Women’s Circuit Racing World Championship on an R7, joins the camp as the reigning Women’s European Champion, having also secured a podium in the 2023 Yamaha R3 European SuperFinale. 

Alessandro di Persio (Italy) arrives as the current leader of the FIM R3 BLU CRU World Cup and the 2023 Yamaha R3 Cup Italy Champion. The youngest invitee, Brazil’s 15-year-old Leonardo Marques, ensured his selection after his performances in the Yamalube R3 BLU CRU Latin America Championship, where he has won four races in the talent class, and currently leads the series overall standings.

Christopher Clark (USA) earns his place after impressing during his debut season in the FIM R3 BLU CRU World Cup in 2025, becoming the first North American to win an FIM R3 BLU CRU World Cup race, on his debut, no less, and he currently sits second in the overall standings. Mario Salles Neto (Brazil) adds more strength from Latin America, as a three-time FIM R3 BLU CRU World Cup podium finisher who is currently fifth in the 2025 overall standings and 2023 FIM Yamaha R3 European SuperFinale runner-up. 

Indonesia’s Arai Agaska has demonstrated impressive pace and racecraft in the 2025 FIM R3 BLU CRU World Cup, marking him as a standout rider this season with one victory and three podium finishes, placing him third in the standings. Securing their spots after exhibiting their potential in the Yamaha R3 BLU CRU Asia-Pacific Championship are current series leader Hinata Okada (Japan), along with Valentino Knezovic (Australia) and Thanakit Pratumtong (Thailand), who are second and third in the overall standings, respectively. Completing the lineup is Rintaro Takemoto (Japan), who is currently showcasing his ability in the MFJ Cup in Japan. 

Providing world-class tutoring and motivation to these young talents will be a stellar group of Yamaha riders. 2021 MotoGP World Champion Fabio Quartararo and Alex Rins (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) will be joined by Jack Miller and Miguel Oliveira (Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP), while Moto2 mentors Izan Guevara and Tony Arbolino (BLU CRU Pramac Yamaha Moto2 Team) add insight from the intermediate class. 

Six-time FIM Superbike World Champion Jonathan Rea (Pata Maxus Yamaha WorldSBK Official Team) will lead the WorldSBK delegation, alongside teammate Andrea Locatelli (2020 FIM Supersport World Champion), 2021 Moto2 World Champion Remy Gardner (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team), and Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing WorldSSP Supported Team’s Stefano Manzi, the current FIM Supersport World Championship leader.

Invitees will also have the chance to learn from and be inspired by Aldi Satya Mahendra, who became Indonesia’s first-ever road racing World Champion after clinching the 2024 FIM Supersport 300 World Championship. He then continued his rise through the ranks by moving up to the FIM World Supersport Championship with the Yamaha BLU CRU Evan Bros WorldSSP Supported Team in 2025. Mahendra is the second World Champion to emerge from the BLU CRU road racing program, exemplifying how this initiative encourages rider development and supports them every step of the way throughout their careers.

As well as some of the biggest names in the world of motorcycle racing, there will also be a group of expert coaches who will oversee all training and track activities: 2009 FIM 125cc World Champion and Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP team Rider Performance Analyst Julian Simon, multi-time WorldSSP race winner Jules Cluzel, and Italian flat track specialist Marco Belli. Together, they will guide riders through an intense yet rewarding schedule, including circuit sessions, racecraft development, flat track training, technical analysis, rider feedback sessions, and media mentoring. To help build a sense of camaraderie and increase the fun levels even more, there will also be special Karting and WaveRunner sessions to foster team spirit and to make it an even more unforgettable experience.

The Yamaha BLU CRU Master Camp will take place in a purpose-built paddock environment at the Aspar Circuit in Spain, which features a 2.2 km main track, a flat track course, technical bays, briefing rooms, a rider lounge, a restaurant, dedicated media content creation zones, and more, creating the perfect learning environment for the youngsters. The camp concludes with a special Superpole-style time attack session, allowing riders to see how far they have progressed, and a closing ceremony recognising standout performances and growth over the five days.

The Yamaha BLU CRU Master Camp exemplifies Yamaha’s dedication to nurturing world-class motorcycle racers from diverse backgrounds. By providing young talent with direct access to elite coaching and structured training, as well as mentorship from world champions, it creates a clear and inspiring route from grassroots to the top levels of racing, offering support at every stage.

You can follow all of the action from the 2025 Yamaha BLU CRU Master Camp via the official Yamaha Racing Instagram channel here.

Cr. https://www.yamaha-racing.com/