Getting to race in the FIM Motocross of Nations (MXoN) is reserved for the three best riders from each participating country. Many of the best riders in the world never get the opportunity to compete at the annual event that puts the best riders from each country into a head-to-head battle in one of the most important races of the year to earn bragging rights for the top country. But thanks to Yamaha, nearly 100 kids between the ages of 8 and 16 got the opportunity to race on the same pristine Ironman Raceway track during the 2025 MXoN weekend.
This was the second time that the bLU cRU World SuperFinale took place in conjunction with the MXoN. The bLU cRU Europe Cup began in 2015, and the inaugural World SuperFinale was part of the Matterley Basin MXoN in the UK in 2024. Three American riders were given the opportunity to compete at the 2024 event, with Kade Nightingale (65cc), Tayce Morgan (85cc) and Chace Lawton (125cc) earning the chance. Nightingale placed third in the 40-rider 65cc race, Morgan was the winner in the 85cc division, and Lawton finished inside the top 10 in the 125cc class.
So how do these kids qualify for such an amazing racing experience? For 2025, the American riders earned a spot by finishing in the top five at the qualifier races or through a wild-card entry selection from Yamaha. Those qualifier races for each class were a part of the bLU cRU Invitational Races, held earlier this year at Glen Helen Raceway in San Bernardino, California; RedBud MX in Buchanan, Michigan; and Oak Hill Raceway in Alvord, Texas. The World SuperFinale event also saw entries from around the world, with each country having its own selection process. Racers from Canada, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Poland, the United Kingdom, Iceland, Dubai, Australia and New Zealand competed.
It takes a lot of planning to host nearly 100 riders, and the Altus Motorsports bLU cRU Yamaha team and Rock River Powersports team provided support to both U.S. and international entries, including the assembly of the GYTR-equipped bikes. The U.S. riders raced their own bikes, while the international riders were provided with loaner bikes. The qualified riders are treated like factory racers, and each received a welcome kit that included two sets of Alpinestars gear, a set of custom/personalized D’Cor bike graphics, a pit shirt and jacket, a GYTR air filter, bLU cRU hats and a pit board. They also got to keep their Matrix stand and work mats. Yamaha provided the event passes and some meals for the weekend in their hospitality area. All the participants shared a huge tent in the pit area, and it was cool to see the riders from all over the world mingling and sharing stories between races.
In addition to racing on the world stage, the bLU cRU competitors got to do a meet and greet with the Yamaha MXoN riders and do a track walk with Yamaha ambassadors Ryan Villopoto, Damon Bradshaw (both former MXoN winners) and Doug Dubach. They also got to participate in the MXoN team presentation parade in downtown Crawfordsville, Indiana, along with the MXoN teams.
Another highlight for race fans was seeing a few second- and third-generation riders competing in the bLU cRU World SuperFinale. Krue Russell, the son of multi-time GNCC Champion Kailub Russell and grandson of Jeff Russell, the 1991 National Enduro Champion, competed in the YZ65 class. New Zealand’s Nixon Coppins, the son of former MXGP standout and multi-time race winner Josh Coppins, finished fourth in the YZ85 class.
How about the racing?
The first race of the weekend kicked off with the YZ65 class on Saturday, with Chandler Powell making an impressive charge through the field on the opening lap. The young Canadian took over the lead after the halfway mark and rode on to earn the YZ65 victory. Finishing in the runner-up spot was American Tate Brush, with Australian Hudson Francis rounding out the podium in third.
“It was a good race,” Powell said. “I didn’t get the best of starts, like midpack, but I fought my way up to third place on the first lap. It was rough out there and choppy. It was a hard track to race on, but there was some good racing out there. It means everything to get this win. I haven’t won anything really big this year. I’ve won Canadian Championships, but this is a World race—it is so awesome.”
The YZ85 riders also raced on Saturday, and it was an epic showdown. American Jaydin Smart rocketed to an amazing start from the last gate pick. Hot on his heels was last year’s YZ bLU cRU SuperFinale YZ85 race winner, Tayce Morgan, but Smart kept cool under pressure to hold him off and secure the win. Joining the duo on the podium was Australian Blake Bohannon.
“The whole thing has just been an awesome experience,” Smart said. “It feels so good to get this win, especially with how the day started. I got the last gate pick because I tried hitting the tabletop in practice and blew my spokes out before timed qualifying. So, I had to line up all the way on the outside and got a good jump and just closed the door.”
The YZ125 class competed on Sunday morning, and Cooper Johnson enjoyed a standout performance. Although the American rider did not get the start he was hoping for, he quickly made his way to the front by lap two and rode on to victory. Canadian Jonathan Bergeron fought his way through to secure second, with Great Britain’s Drew Stock finishing third.
“It feels great to get this win,” said Johnson. “It’s just such an honor. I didn’t have the best start but made my way through the pack and got into first and held my ground from there.”
More than selling bikes.
“Hosting the first YZ bLU cRU World SuperFinale in the U.S. was a massive undertaking by our team, but one we were excited to tackle,” said Jennifer Davie, Experiential Marketing Manager for YMUS. “It was made 100 percent worth it by the smiles, laughs, camaraderie, and pride exuded by all the racers, their families and friends. It was a true expression of what our bLU cRU program both here in the U.S. and globally stands for: Creating lifetime memories with our Yamaha family and community.”
Well done to the Yamaha bLU cRU team for hosting a great event for the riders, families and fans who lined the fences at the MXoN to cheer on these kids.CN
2025 bLU cRU of Nations Recap
YZ65
- Chandler Powell (Canada)
- Tate Brush (USA)
- Hudson Francis (Australia)
- Matthew Simoneaux (USA)
- Stella Harding (Australia)
YZ85
- Jaydin Smart (USA)
- Tayce Morgan (USA)
- Blake Bohannon (Australia)
- Nixon Coppins (New Zealand)
- Brayton Wills (USA)
YZ125
- Cooper Johnson (USA)
- Jonathan Bergeron (Canada)
- Drew Stock (Great Britain)
- Austin Camden (USA)
- Nolan Murphy (USA)
Click here to read the 2025 bLU cRU of Nations Recap in the Cycle News Digital Edition Magazine.
Click here for all the latest Motocross des Nations News and Results.
