Nathan Bettencourt is going global in 2026.
The New Englander, who competed in this past season’s inaugural Parts Unlimited Talent Cup By Motul and notched a podium finish at New Jersey Motorsports Park in the final race of the 2025 Championship, has been selected to race in the 2026 FIM Yamaha R3 bLU cRU World Cup. The spec-class world championship, which features all riders aboard identically prepared Yamaha YZF-R3 motorcycles, will have a preseason test on April 9 at Cremona in Italy. Then, on May 2 through 3, the season will get underway with round one at Balaton Park Circuit in Hungary.
“I did a wild card round (of the 2025 FIM R3 bLU cRU World Cup) at Estoril in Portugal this past October, and it was a lot of learning and a lot of fun,” Bettencourt said. “I’m excited for the opportunity to do the full season.”
Along with racing on the world stage, Bettencourt wants to maintain his connections to the two race series where his road racing journey began, He will compete in select rounds of the NorthEast Motorcycle Road Racing (NEMRR) series at his home track of New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon, and he is also currently exploring opportunities to race as a wild card entry in the 2026 MotoAmerica Talent Cup Championship.
As the curtain closes on 2025, Bettencourt expressed his gratitude to Adam Kells, owner of AK Race Fab and Bettencourt Racing’s crew chief; Kevin Allen, owner of Apex; and Kevin Wimble. He also thanks his sponsors Woodcraft, Arai Helmet, Penguin Racing School, Genesis Utilities, Dunlop, REV’IT!, Sidi Sport, 64 Degree Racing, and Innovative Contracting Services.
