YMA has unveiled a bold resurgence for its 2026 Australian Superbike Championship (ASBK) campaign, with a refreshed Yamaha Racing Team, expanded support programs and new incentives aimed at strengthening the brand’s presence throughout domestic road racing. Press: YMA

The 2026 ASBK calendar has been reshaped into a shortened five-round championship, kicking off at Phillip Island in February and concluding at Queensland Raceway in July, ahead of a planned return to summer-style racing in 2027.

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At the forefront of Yamaha’s effort will be the Yamaha Racing Team (YRT), entering its 24th season as Yamaha’s official ASBK squad. The opening round at Phillip Island will also mark team owner John Redding’s 100th ASBK round, a milestone underscoring his long-standing commitment to Australian road racing.Fresh from signing a new two-year deal, three-time Superbike champion Mike Jones returns aboard the YRT YZF-R1M, bringing a blend of experience and championship pedigree. Jones says the team focused on honest self-assessment during the off-season and is confident the improvements forged through winter preparation position them to challenge for title success in 2026.

Alongside Jones will be the exciting young talent JJ Nahlous, the 2024 600cc SuperSport champion. In his first full season in Superbike competition last year, Nahlous impressed with podium form at The Bend and has already posted personal bests in testing ahead of the upcoming season.

As part of Yamaha’s wider support strategy, riders on Yamaha machinery across classes will again have access to technical assistance and on-site parts support, with discounts on high-turnover items for R15, R3, R6 and R1 machines available via Yamaha Racing Development (YRD) staff at each round.Introducing the BLU CRU Bonus Program:

A standout initiative for 2026 is the public rollout of the Yamaha BLU CRU Bonus Bucks program — a performance-based reward scheme open to Yamaha riders in Superbike, SuperSport and R3 Cup categories. Rewards range from race day payouts to substantial bonuses for championship results, with Superbike title winners eligible for up to $50,000 in bonus earnings.

The bonus structure is designed to boost grassroots participation and recognises podium success across all premier ASBK classes, bolstering Yamaha’s support for competitive racing nationwide.Yamaha’s investment doesn’t stop at domestic borders — the program also extends backing to Australian riders competing internationally, including Tayla Relph and Avalon Lewis in the FIM World Circuit Racing (WCR) series, and continued involvement with the Yamaha BLU CRU Asia Pacific R3 Cup, slated to feature two Australian rounds in 2026.

The 2026 ASBK season gets underway on 20 February at Phillip Island, signalling Yamaha’s renewed push to reclaim success on Australia’s premier road racing stage.

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