The sports rising stars took to the world stage last weekend at the FIM Motocross of Nations (MXoN) in Crawfordsville, Indiana, for the first running of the YZ BLU CRU World SuperFinale in the United States. Hosted by Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA (YMUS), nearly 100 riders from around the U.S. and 13 countries competed for top honors aboard GYTR-kitted YZs in three different classes – YZ65, YZ85, and YZ125. Racing on the same track as the best riders in the world and in front of an enthusiastic crowd at Ironman Raceway, Canadian Chandler Powell topped the YZ65 podium, with Americans Jaydin Smart winning the YZ85 race and Cooper Johnson the YZ125 race.

Young riders earned a coveted spot on the gate at the 2025 YZ BLU CRU World SuperFinale by finishing in the top five at the qualifier races or through a wild card entry. 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 event also saw entries from around the world, with representatives from Canada, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Poland, the United Kingdom, Iceland, Dubai, Australia, and New Zealand. There were also a few wild-card spots awarded to deserving riders by Yamaha. Providing support to both U.S. and international entries with assembly of the GYTR-equipped bikes, as well as on-site trackside support, was the Altus Motorsports BLU CRU Yamaha team and Rock River Powersports.

“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, the Experiential Marketing Manager for YMUS. “It was made 100% 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.”

It was a race weekend full of activities at the World Championship level, with the young riders getting a personal meet and greet session with Yamaha’s MXoN riders, a track walk with the Yamaha Ambassadors – Ryan Villopoto, Damon Bradshaw, and Doug Dubach – and participation in the MXoN Team Presentation parade in downtown Crawfordsville, Indiana. 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 mid-pack, but I fought my way up to third place on the first lap. It was really 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.”

Afterward, the YZ85 riders took to the track, 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 table top 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.”

In Sunday morning’s race, Cooper Johnson enjoyed a standout performance aboard the YZ125. Although the American rider did not get the start he was hoping for, he quickly made his way to the front by Lap 2 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.”