2025 R3 BLU CRU Asia Pacific Championship
Round Two, Sportsland Sugo, Japan
Race One
Japan’s Hinata Okada delivered a flawless performance in Race 1 of the 2025 Yamaha R3 BLU CRU Asia-Pacific Championship, showcasing precision and composure to clinch a dominant win in front of a home crowd.
Australian contender Hunter Corney put up a spirited fight to finish second, fending off a late charge from Nikolas Lazos. Starting from fourth on the grid, Lazos worked his way through the pack to grab the final step on the podium in third.
Hunter Corney – P2
“In race 1 I started from P2 after having a strong day before in practice and qualifying. I got amazing start and tried to run the pace of Okada but boy was he quick. I settled as I know it was a long 15 laps. I showed consistent pace and strategic riding that helped me maintain a strong position throughout, ultimately securing a second-place finish. This result added valuable points to my championship tally and set a positive tone for the rest of the weekend.”
Valentino Knezovic delivered a gritty ride in Race 1, charging through the field from ninth on the grid to finish a strong fourth—just missing the podium but keeping his championship ambitions alive. His performance helped make it three Australians inside the top five, with Thailand’s Thanakit Pratumtong securing fifth.
The top ten was completed by Moses Reyes, Pasin Chompurat, Australia’s Varis Fleming, Hayden Fordyce of New Zealand, and Theppiktak Kraiyafai.
New Zealander Alvin Wu came home in 13th, while Australia’s Jed Louis crossed the line in 16th. Phoenix O’Brien’s race ended prematurely with a retirement.
Race One Results
| Pos | Rider | Gap |
| 1 | Hinata Okada (JPN) | 26’26.039 |
| 2 | Hunter Corney (AUS) | +6.022 |
| 3 | Nikolas Lazos (AUS) | +7.008 |
| 4 | Valentino Knezovic (AUS) | +13.473 |
| 5 | Thanakit Pratumtong (THA) | +15.518 |
| 6 | Moses Gerard Reyes (PHI) | +16.143 |
| 7 | Pasin Chompurat (THA) | +16.667 |
| 8 | Varis Fleming (THA-AUS) | +17.810 |
| 9 | Hayden Fordyce (NZL) | +20.387 |
| 10 | Theppiktak Kraiyafai (THA) | +42.060 |
| 11 | Mytchell Joshua Ngo (PHI) | +52.666 |
| 12 | Ing Asavanund (THA) | +52.922 |
| 13 | Alvin Wu (NZL) | +1’01.082 |
| 14 | Christwil Villanueva (PHI) | +1’04.522 |
| 15 | Huanni Ke (CHN) | +1’04.674 |
| 16 | Jed Louis (AUS) | +1’18.504 |
| 17 | Phap Tri Nguyen Huu (VIE) | +1’47.887 |
| 18 | Gracie Reyes (PHI) | +1’51.541 |
| Not Classified | ||
| RET | Jiaqi Gong (CHN) | 3 laps |
| RET | Markus Maxwell Mays (THA) | 9 laps |
| RET | Pheonix O’Brien (AUS) | 11 laps |
Race Two
Okada was unstoppable once again in Race Two at Sportland Sugo, claiming a second consecutive victory and stretching his lead in the Yamaha R3 BLU CRU Asia-Pacific Championship to 22 points. While title rival Valentino Knezovic showed strong pace, he was unable to break into the top three.
Nikolas Lazos emerged as the top Australian finisher, showcasing grit and racecraft in a thrilling scrap with compatriot Hunter Corney for second place. But in a dramatic twist at the final corner, Phoenix O’Brien made a last-ditch move to steal third, relegating Corney to fourth by just 0.089 seconds.
Hunter Corney
“The second race saw me have to fight harder. Despite facing stiff competition, I managed to navigate through the pack, making decisive overtakes. Only to be beaten over the line by 0.042 hundredths of a second with a fourth place finish. Still very valuable points. Two more days of training with the Yamaha Blu Cru Asia Pacific team before we move to Motegi for Round 3.”
Valentino Knezovic secured fifth place in Race Two, making it four Australians filling positions two through five in a strong showing. Thailand’s Thanakit Pratumtong claimed sixth ahead of Moses Reyes, with Hayden Fordyce, Corey Mays, and Varis Fleming completing the top ten.
New Zealand’s Alvin Wu crossed the line in 14th, while Australia’s Jed Louis finished 18th.
Race Two Results
| Pos | Rider | Gap |
| 1 | Hinata Okada (JPN) | 26’25.283 |
| 2 | Nikolas Lazos (AUS) | +7.881 |
| 3 | Pheonix O’Brien (AUS) | +8.886 |
| 4 | Hunter Corney (AUS) | +8.928 |
| 5 | Valentino Knezovic (AUS) | +9.432 |
| 6 | Thanakit Pratumtong (THA) | +14.709 |
| 7 | Moses Gerard Reyes (PHI) | +26.418 |
| 8 | Hayden Fordyce (NZL) | +26.810 |
| 9 | Markus Maxwell Mays (THA) | +26.927 |
| 10 | Varis Fleming (THA-AUS) | +27.271 |
| 11 | Theppiktak Kraiyafai (THA) | +27.351 |
| 12 | Mytchell Joshua Ngo (PHI) | +52.538 |
| 13 | Ing Asavanund (THA) | +1’03.167 |
| 14 | Alvin Wu (NZL) | +1’03.286 |
| 15 | Christwil Villanueva (PHI) | +1’05.160 |
| 16 | Huanni Ke (CHN) | +1’09.025 |
| 17 | Phap Tri Nguyen Huu (VIE) | +1’40.675 |
| 18 | Jed Louis (AUS) | +1’50.472 |
| 19 | Gracie Reyes (PHI) | 2 laps |
| Not Classified | ||
| RET | Pasin Chompurat (THA) | 6 laps |
2025 R3 BLU CRU Asia Pacific Championship Standings
| Pos | Rider | Nat. | Points |
| 1 | H.OKADA | JP | 91 |
| 2 | V.KNEZOVIC | AU | 69 |
| 3 | H.CORNEY | AU | 60 |
| 4 | T.PRATUMTONG | TH | 54 |
| 5 | N.LAZOS | AU | 47 |
| 6 | H.FORDYCE | NZ | 31 |
| 7 | M.MAYS | TH | 31 |
| 8 | V.FLEMING | TH/AUS | 28 |
| 9 | M.REYES | PH | 27 |
| 10 | T.KRAIYAFAI | TH | 26 |
| 11 | P.CHOMPURAT | TH | 24 |
| 12 | P.O’BRIEN | AU | 22 |
| 13 | M.NGO | PH | 14 |
| 14 | I.ASAVANUND | TH | 12 |
| 15 | Z.DOBLADA | PH | 8 |
| 16 | A.WU | NZ | 5 |
| 17 | J.LOUIS | AU | 4 |
| 18 | J.GONG | CN | 3 |
| 19 | *C.Villanueva | PH | 1 |
| 20 | H.KE | CN | 1 |
