Yamaha’s junior world-stage series moves to the 689cc R7 for 2027, with 12 races across six European WorldSBK rounds marking a new chapter for the BLU CRU World Cup.
- The R7 replaces the R3 in Yamaha’s FIM BLU CRU World Cup from 2027.
- Riders aged 15+ will contest 12 races across six European WorldSBK rounds.
- The season opens at Assen in April and finishes at Cremona in September.
Yamaha’s BLU CRU World Cup is growing up. After six seasons on the R3, the series will switch to the R7 for 2027, putting young riders on a bigger-capacity machine while retaining its place alongside the WorldSBK paddock.
The newly named FIM Yamaha R7 BLU CRU World Cup will comprise 12 races across six European rounds and is open to riders aged 15 and above. Yamaha, the FIM and the Dorna WorldSBK Organisation remain behind the series, with JiR managing the events.
| Series | 2027 details |
|---|---|
| Machine | Race-prepared Yamaha R7; 689cc CP2 platform |
| Minimum age | 15 years |
| Format | Six European rounds / 12 races |
| Announced package | €29,000; bike use, leathers, tyres, fuel, entry fees |
| Pre-season test | 6–8 April, Cremona |
A bigger step on the ladder
The Cup began in 2021 and gained FIM World Cup status in 2024. For its next chapter, competitors will use the latest-generation R7 introduced for 2026, powered by Yamaha’s 689cc CP2 engine.
The Cup will use race-prepared versions of the 689cc machine that BRM tested in road-going guise recently at Sydney Motorsport Park and on the roads of NSW. See BRM’s updated R7 review.
We don’t know what the race-prep for the new series will look like, but there’s no doubting that the bigger bike will bring a new technical challenge. How that changes the racing will become clear when the field gets on track.
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A new chapter for BLU CRU
The switch ends the R3’s six-season run in the series and gives the WorldSBK support programme a new focal point. Yamaha’s announced €29,000 season package includes use of the race-prepared R7, leathers, tyres, fuel and entry fees. That’s a pretty reasonable base for young riders wanting to get into a proper FIM race series (it’s also cheaper than the fee for the R3 cup that was €32,500), although there’s obviously going to be plenty of other costs to add to this like travel, accommodation and, probably, race damage.
After six seasons on the R3, Yamaha’s junior World Cup is stepping up to the R7.
Six rounds, all in Europe
Assen is scheduled to open the season on 16–18 April, followed by Aragón, Most, Donington Park, Magny-Cours and a September finale at Cremona. The pre-season test takes place at Cremona on 6–8 April.
| Round | Dates (local) | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 16–18 April | Assen, Netherlands |
| 2 | 21–23 May | Aragón, Spain |
| 3 | 4–6 June | Most, Czech Republic |
| 4 | 9–11 July | Donington Park, Great Britain |
| 5 | 3–5 September | Magny-Cours, France |
| 6 | 24–26 September | Cremona, Italy |
Fresh machinery, international competition
The 2026 field included riders from more than 10 countries, giving the Cup an international flavour despite its European calendar. The move to the R7 adds another reason to follow the next generation alongside the WorldSBK action.
Registration for the 2027 FIM Yamaha BLU CRU World Cup are available by emailing [email protected].
