Yamaha YZ bLU cRU 65cc – 85cc – 125cc Cup:
the SuperFinale got underway at the MXoN
The 2024 YZ bLU cRU Europe Cup SuperFinale got underway at the legendary Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations (MXoN) with the YZ65, YZ85 and YZ125 races on the world-famous Matterley Basin circuit. Australia’s Blake Bohannon, the USA’s Tayce Morgan and home rider Jamie Keith took the spoils in the respective races.
The top three European finishers plus two wildcards in each class of the YZ bLU cRU FIM Europe Cup SuperFinale will receive an invite to the bLU cRU Masterclass that will take place on the 12th and 13th November. There, one YZ125 rider will win a place in a Yamaha-supported EMX125 team for 2025, while the top-performing YZ65 and YZ85 youngsters will earn added support from Yamaha Motor Europe for next season.
YZ65
A total of 40 aspiring young riders lined up on the start gate for the YZ65 race, a 12 minute plus two-lap duel across the tricky new layout at the track near Winchester in the U.K. Jann Huisman was quickest at the gate drop and he grabbed the holeshot, but Australia’s Bohannon was quick to get into the lead, feeling confident after topping timed practice. When Huisman dropped back after a save and Kade Nightingale suffered a fall there were no challengers for the Australian debutant. With seven minutes remaining in the race, he had already built up an impressive seven-second lead, and by the chequered flag he had an incredible 38 second gap. Austria’s Maurice Heidegger rode to a strong second place, while a tight battle broke out between Nightingale (USA) and Tommy Wood (GBR) for the final spot on the podium, this was eventually taken by the American. The top 14 places were filled by 14 different nationalities.
YZ85
The holeshot was taken by the USA’s Tayce Morgan. The SuperFinale first-timer seemed to have everything under control as he maintained the lead over the first lap, but as Davie Dürr gave chase Morgan took a rough landing over one of Matterley’s huge jumps and went down. The American remounted quickly and was ready to retaliate as Dürr attempted to break away. With five minutes left in the 15 minutes plus three lap race, Morgan was on the back tire of his rival, and with just a few minutes left on the clock he regained the lead of the race, leaving a disappointed Dürr to settle for second. Meanwhile, Kay Zijlstra (NED), Talon Medaglia (CAN) and Willads Gordon (DEN) all had their sights set on completing the podium, but it was the Dutch rider who proved strongest of the three.
YZ125
35 contenders were ready to show their skills in front of the huge Motocross of Nations crowd. Townley rocketed off the gate to lead into the first corners, a position he looked set to hold in the early part of the race. Meanwhile, Latvia’s Jekubs Kubulins – one of the main contenders at last year’s SuperFinale – was up into second. Keith quickly charged through, putting space between himself and the chasing Kubulins, Tyla Van de Poel (NED) and Ollie Bubb (GBR). Van de Poel would eventually drop back to 28th, leaving Emile De Baere (BEL) to move ahead of Bubb.
Talented Townley had managed to stretch the lead to over two and a half seconds, but Keith began closing with around seven minutes plus two laps left. Setting his sights on victory, the young Brit was roared on by the home crowd to overtake Townley with a brilliant move, and as the clock ticked down it looked as though he had the win wrapped up. However, a final thrilling fight back by the New Zealander made the last two laps incredibly tight between the pair. Keith held on for an emotional home victory while Townley and Kubulins completed the final podium of the 2024 SuperFinale.
Links
FIM Europe Motocross
MXGP
