Factory riders for a day | YZ65 Cup 2025

Lifetime Memories For Yamaha YZ65 Cup Racers at AUSX

Launched in 2018 alongside the release of the YZ65 model, the YZ65 Cup was designed as an opportunity to give young racers their first taste of motocross action under the guidance of Yamaha’s BLU CRU initiative. Adding races to the Australian Supercross (AUSX) calendar turned that idea into something even bigger – a magical factory rider for a day experience.

Riders apply, earn an invitation, race one big event, and then it’s someone else’s turn. The gear is fresh, the nerves are real, and the riders are treated like little professionals from the moment they arrive. Many past participants have gone on to win junior championships at state, national and even world level, but the heart of the program has never changed: make it fun and give kids and families a glimpse of what’s possible in the Yamaha BLU CRU.

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Shark Park, Cronulla
The opening round at Shark Park saw eighteen riders roll their YZ65s into a dedicated BLU CRU pit area in the middle of the AUSX paddock, surrounded by BLU CRU pit tents, wing banners, and the buzz of a national supercross round. Instead of being tucked away in a quiet corner, the kids and their families had their bikes lined up under Yamaha tents, complete with name boards, Yamaha merchandise and a custom set of FOX Racing gear for every rider.

Before anyone turned a wheel, Yamaha ambassadors – including multi-time Australian off-road champion Jess Gardiner, along with Jeremy Carpentier and Jades Oates – led a track walk and briefing. Seeing a supercross track from ground level can be intimidating for junior racers, but the walk broke the circuit into sections and helped calm plenty of nerves.

Being part of the YZ65 Cup AUSX rounds also gave the juniors access to Yamaha’s factory squads. At both events, the young riders visited the race trucks for a quick backstage tour to see how the pros prepare for the big races, and then each rider collected a personalised event number plate to take home. When it was time to race, the lights came on, the crowd filled the stands and the YZ65s buzzed out of the gate like a pack of angry bees, much to the delight of fans who were amazed by the skill level of the young riders, and some very proud parents.

Mason Ryan claimed the race will ahead of Joey Oborn, and Ted Smith. Although the top three got to stand on the podium and receive their trophies from two-time AMA WMX Champion Lachlan Turner, what mattered most was that every rider walked away with a trophy, incredible photographs and unforgettable memories.

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Marvel Stadium, Melbourne
Four weeks later, a fresh group of 20 riders gathered in a very different environment: Marvel Stadium in the heart of Melbourne. The second instalment of the Yamaha BLU CRU YZ65 Cup was unleashed in front of a packed AUSX Open crowd as the mini gladiators, decked out in their new-look blue-and-pink FOX gear, rolled their YZ65s into one of the most impressive indoor arenas in the country.

Marvel is unique in that the pro riders were pitted downstairs, out of sight, while the YZ65 Cup base was set up on the concourse under the Monster Energy Yamalube Yamaha truck. The location was perfect for fans to stop by, check out the bikes, grab photos and chat to the riders. As with the Cronulla event, each YZ65 Cup rider received their own hero posters which they signed for fans who were smart enough to recognise a collector’s item from a future champion.

During a track walk and practice session on the Marvel layout, the riders were reminded that the goal is to enjoy the moment and build confidence. There was no missing the nervous energy when the race finally rolled around, it hung thick in the air. Suddenly it was showtime. The house lights dropped, the pyrotechnics fired, and a swarm of YZ65s burst out of the gate and into the spotlight.

This time it was Kye Sproule who made the most of his chance, charging to the win ahead of River Taylor – son of former pro racer Cameron Taylor – with crowd favourite and fast-improving female rider Stella Harding in third. The top three received their trophies from Tatsuya Murata from Yamaha Motor Japan, who seemed just as excited about the event as the young riders. The podium reflected the spirit of the racing: boys and girls, families new to the sport and families who’ve lived at the track for decades, all sharing in the fun and excitement.

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More Than Results
Across the two-round 2025 series, the YZ65 Cup once again proved it’s about more than just lap times. The program gives young riders and their families a clear view of the Yamaha pathway from grassroots to the world stage.

Every entrant at Shark Park and Marvel took home a YZ65 Cup trophy, FOX race gear, Yamaha merchandise and access to professional photos and video of their event, plus all-important bragging rights. Regardless of the results, all of the riders will remember the night they rolled their YZ65 into a BLU CRU pit bay inside a major stadium and heard the crowd roar when the gate dropped.