American Racing Academy rider Kayla Yaakov will contest the 2021 FIM Yamaha R3 bLU cRU European Cup, a new road racing series open to riders age 12-20.

“I am so excited for this opportunity to race in Europe,” said Yaakov, 13. “It is a huge step forward to give me the experience I need to keep progressing with my riding. None of this would be possible without support from Eitan Butbul from the American Racing Academy, Dragonfly Coffee and Yamaha.”

A collaboration between Yamaha, FIM Europe and Dorna Sports, with logistical and technical support from Japan Italy Racing, the Yamaha R3 bLU cRU European Cup is the first step for young riders with world championship aspirations.

The six-round, 12-race spec class will be held in conjunction with European rounds of the 2021 FIM Superbike World Championship, beginning June 11-12 at the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli in Italy.

“This is the purpose of the Academy—to build a platform for kids to go to Europe,” said Eitan Butbul. “Kayla is young but superfast and has shown that she can compete on big tracks. This is an opportunity for her to experience what it takes to race outside the U.S.”

Created by Butbul and managed by former MotoGP rider John Hopkins, the American Racing Academy develops U.S. talent for international competition. Academy riders are coached by champions Toni Elías and Roger Hayden and race in the MotoAmerica Series, including the Mini Cup, in which Yaakov finished third overall in 2020 in the 190cc class.

Yaakov, the 2018 AMA Novice Road Racer of the Year, successfully defended her 2019 AMA Lightweight Twins Superbike Expert National No. 1 plate during the 2020 AMA Road Race Grand Championship at Barber Motorsports Park, Oct. 22-25.