Young Swiss rider Kevin Brumann is the 2018 YZ125 bLU cRU FIM Europe Cup SuperFinale overall winner while claiming the runner-up spot in race two Great Britain’s Joel Rizzi secured second overall, with Denmark’s Magnus Smith earning the third spot on the final podium in the race at the MXGP round at Imola.
Kicking off the race action at the Imola motocross circuit on Sunday, the second and last race of this year’s SuperFinale saw YZ125-powered youngsters continue their quest for an invitation to Yamaha’s bLU cRU Masterclass. With race officials working overnight to create the ideal track conditions, the Yamaha riders were faced with slick and challenging conditions on Sunday morning.
With 39 young racers storming out of the starting gate aboard their GYTR-kitted Yamaha machines, it was Great Britain’s Joel Rizzi who took the holeshot in the second race. Leading the way through the first few corners, the young Brit was then passed by Brumann right before the end of the opening lap.
The two youngsters Brumann and Rizzi were involved in a close battle, which lasted for a number of laps and eventually saw the Swiss rider Brumann open a small gap at the front of the pack. With Brumann getting the victory, Rizzi crossed the line eight seconds behind the winner to claim the runner-up position. Third in race two was Michele Pablo D’Aniello, with the young Italian winning a three-way fight with Magnus Smith [fourth] and Vincent Marti [fifth].
The double race victory brought Kevin Brumann to the top step of the podium at the YZ125 bLU cRU Cup SuperFinale. “It feels great to win both races,” admitted the 14-year-old Swiss competitor. “I am just so happy for this victory. We had two tough races and I did the best I could from start to finish. Every rider had been giving their best and it really means a lot to get both moto victories during the weekend at Imola.”
Securing his spot at the upcoming bLU cRU Masterclass, SuperFinale podium finishers Joel Rizzi and Magnus Smith have also earned an invitation to Yamaha’s unique annual event. Following their strong performances at the SuperFinale, also selected to attend the bLU cRU Masterclass are wild-card riders Liam Hanstrom and Simon Depoers.
All five of the aspiring, young talents who made the final selection will attend the bLU cRU Masterclass – a three-day event supervised by highly-acclaimed Yamaha ambassadors. Yamaha’s Arnaud Tonus and Kiara Fontanesi have already confirmed their participation at the 2018 edition of the event.
Designed to inspire and educate young motocross riders, the 2018 bLU cRU Masterclass will also determine the 2018 YZ125 bLU cRU Cup winner. Automatically securing a place on the MJC Yamaha Official EMX125 Team, the winner will be able to race a GYTR-kitted YZ125 machine in the 2019 EMX125 Championship.