Tayce Morgan Claims YZ85 Race Win for Team USA to at YZ bLU cRU SuperFinale During MXoN

View the results and watch the full motos at the bottom of this post. The following press release is from Yamaha:

Team USA’s Tayce Morgan, Kade Nightingale, and Chace Lawton enjoy a successful debut at the 2024 YZ bLU cRU FIM Europe Cup SuperFinale at Matterley Basin

MARIETTA, Ga. – Yamaha bLU cRU riders Tayce Morgan, Kade Nightingale, and Chace Lawton made a historic debut at this year’s YZ bLU cRU FIM Europe Cup SuperFinale. Held during the 77th running of the Motocross of Nations (MXoN) at the Matterley Basin Circuit in Winchester, Great Britain, it was the first time riders outside of Europe were invited to the event. Leading the charge for Team USA was Morgan, who took home the win in the YZ85 race. Nightingale also enjoyed a podium finish, earning a third-place result in the YZ65 race, while Lawton overcame adversity to score a top-10 finish in the YZ125 race.

The three riders were hosted by Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA (YMUS), as a culmination of Yamaha’s 2024 bLU cRU Invitational races, where earlier this year, riders competed for the coveted spots on Team USA at Glen Helen Raceway, Washougal MX Park, and Budds Creek Motocross Park. The three riders were then selected by a panel of judges, which included rider coaches Doug Dubach, Ryan Villopoto, and Damon Bradshaw, based on their incredible performances on and off the track.

Racing for the NSA/Rock River/Yamaha Amateur Factory Team in the U.S., Morgan hit the ground running at Matterly Basin. The 13-year-old topped the timesheets in qualifying for the YZ85 class and then got a flying start to the race and grabbed the holeshot. He rode a strong pace at the front but unfortunately had a tip-over and quickly rejoined. Morgan put his head down, reclaimed the lead, and built a comfortable gap up front to score a dominant victory.

Leading the campaign in the YZ65 category was Nightingale. The young rider, who also rides for the NSA/Rock River/Yamaha Amateur Factory Team, qualified fourth, got a good start to his race and quickly made his way to second. Although he had a couple of tip-overs in the tricky conditions, he never gave up and fought his way back from seventh to third, where he would finish.

EBR Performance Altus Yamaha’s Chace Lawton was the rider selected for the 125cc category. He had a strong start to the weekend, qualifying sixth. The class kicked off the day’s racing activities for Sunday’s legendary MXoN, and riders were met with cold, wet conditions. Lawton got a good start to the race in fourth and then was running a strong pace in fifth, but unfortunately went down on Lap 3. It took some time to rejoin the race, but he didn’t give up and made his way from 17th to finish 10th.

“We are so pleased with our Team USA’s SuperFinale racing efforts and the dedication that the riders show both on and off of the track. The boys’ enthusiasm and excitement were contagious, and being able to witness their collective success alongside their families makes us proud of the bLU cRU program and community. We are extremely excited to see what the future brings as we continue to grow it along with our racing families and partners.”

“This experience was so sick. The track was fun the whole weekend. When we first got here, I didn’t expect it to be this cool. We went out for qualifying, and I had the fastest lap time. Then, we went out for the race and won. It was one of the coolest experiences that I’ve ever had, and I’m so grateful for this opportunity.”

“I thought the race weekend went well. I qualified fourth, so that was pretty good. Then I got a good start, passed a couple of kids, and did pretty well in the race. I made a couple of mistakes, but I ended up third. I tried my hardest, so I’m happy with that. I’d like to thank Yamaha for this opportunity. It was a pretty awesome experience, and I had a really good time.”

“It was a really good weekend. I got off to a good start and was running fourth for most of the moto, but then I ended up going down. I was back in 17th and came back up to 10th. It was a pretty good charge the whole time, and the lap times were solid.

“It was a great first time in the UK as well. The whole thing was amazing, including eating with the bLU cRU family and all of their hospitality during the trip. I’m super grateful for the experience and the opportunity.”

Watch the full motos below: