After becoming the first American to win a race in the FIM Yamaha R3 BLU CRU World Cup and very nearly winning the season championship in the Yamaha spec series, former MotoAmerica Mini Cup rider Chris Clark will return to Europe for the 2026 season with high hopes of bringing home the championship.

Clark will remain with Panattoni BGR Smrz Racing for a third consecutive year and, with a full year’s experience under his belt in the highly competitive R3 BLU CRU World Cup, the 19-year-old from Fairfax, Virginia, is determined to race for the season title when the six-round, twelve-race series gets underway in May.

“I am super-happy to finally announce my 2026 plans and am super-happy to be remaining with Panattoni BGR Smrz Racing,” Clark said. “To be able to continue to work with Kuba (Smrz) and all the same guys as I have for the past couple of seasons is really special. We built a solid foundation over the past two years, and I am so grateful to Kuba especially for giving me a shot to move to the WorldSBK paddock and continuing to stick with me. I have learned so much, and I am ready to put it all into practice. I want to be fighting for wins at every round and, as much as I want to win the title, I want to win it for them. As a team, we have a good chance. We work well together, and I hope that, this year, we can bring it home. I want to also thank everyone who has made this possible, especially my mom, my manager, and my sponsors. See you at Round One!”
 
Testing for the 2026 FIM Yamaha R3 BLU CRU World Cup will begin in Spain in the coming weeks and round one of the championship gets underway later this year at Balaton Park, Hungary.

Yamaha Racing got to know more about Clark through a series of questions, which appear below with his answers:

Q: How did your journey into motorcycle racing begin?
My journey started really early. I was just six years old when I first got on a dirt bike, and from that moment I was hooked. Riding became second nature to me, and as I grew older my passion for racing only got stronger. By the time I was 12, I made the switch to road racing, which was a big step but one I was incredibly excited about.

Q: What was your first bike?
My first bike was a Yamaha TT-R110. It was a great bike to learn on and played a big role in helping me understand the fundamentals of riding. Yamaha has been part of my journey from the very beginning, which makes racing with them now even more special.

Q: What is your favorite circuit? 
Portimão is definitely my favorite track. The elevation changes there are incredible and unlike anything else. It’s so unique, and that’s what makes it one of the most special tracks in the world for me. Every lap feels exciting, and it really rewards riders who are confident and committed.

Q: What made you choose to compete in the FIM Yamaha R3 BLU CRU World Cup?
I chose this championship because it’s an amazing opportunity to race on the world stage against very fast riders. Being part of a World Cup environment is a huge step in any rider’s career, and the chance to work closely with Yamaha made it even more appealing. It’s the perfect place to develop as a rider and push myself to the next level.

Q: Beyond the racing itself, what have you enjoyed most about the championship?
The people I’ve met and the experiences I’ve had have been unforgettable. From the races themselves to the BLU CRU Master Camp, everything has helped me grow—not just as a rider, but as a person, too. Being surrounded by riders and staff who all share the same passion is really motivating.

Q: What has been the stand-out moment of your career so far?
Winning the opening Yamaha R3 BLU CRU World Cup race at Portimão last year is definitely the highlight so far. It was an incredible feeling to start the championship with a win, especially at my favorite track. All the hard work paid off in that moment, and it gave me a lot of confidence for the rest of the season.

Q: Looking ahead, what goals have you set for yourself?
My main goal right now is to win the BLU CRU World Cup championship. That’s what I’m fully focused on right now. Looking further into the future, I’d love to progress into World Superbike. Racing at that level has always been a dream of mine, and I’m working every day to make it a reality.