Mendez Secured Pole Position at Circuito Estoril
Xarly Mendez dominated the qualifying session to lead the FIM Yamaha R3 BLU CRU World Cup grid.
Updated on Oct. 9, 2026 in Motorsports
Xarly Mendez claimed the pole position for the final round of the FIM Yamaha R3 BLU CRU World Cup in Portugal. He set a qualifying lap time of 1'54.308 at Circuito Estoril to edge out his rivals.
Why it matters
The race serves as the climax of the championship, with Mendez entering the weekend holding a one-point lead over his closest competitor. Success here is critical to determining the overall season champion.
Xarly Mendez secured pole with a time of 1'54.308, while championship challenger Riichi Takahira qualified in 8th place. Angelo Mottola and Mario Salles rounded out the top three starting positions.
The players
Xarly Mendez
He is a competitive motorcycle racer currently leading the FIM Yamaha R3 BLU CRU World Cup championship standings.
Riichi Takahira
He is a professional rider competing for the championship title while trailing the leader by a single point.
Angelo Mottola
He is a rising competitor in the series who qualified in the second position for the final race.
The details
Mendez topped both the free practice and Superpole sessions to secure his spot at the front of the grid. Conversely, Riichi Takahira faced a setback after becoming involved in an on-track incident during qualifying, forcing him to start from the fourth row.
Timeline
The qualifying session took place on October 9, 2026.
The opening race of the final round is scheduled for Saturday, October 10, 2026.
The Saturday race is slated to start at 13:00 local time.
Season Trajectory
This qualifying result significantly reshapes the championship battle, forcing Riichi Takahira to overcome an eighth-place start to bridge a one-point deficit. The grid placement sets up a high-stakes duel that will define the final standings for the season.
Riichi Takahira faces a difficult path to the championship, as his eighth-place start requires a significant recovery during the race to overcome his one-point deficit. Meanwhile, Mendez occupies the best possible position to defend his lead from the front of the grid.
The takeaway
Mendez enters the final race with a distinct advantage after securing pole position at Circuito Estoril. Fans should watch the opening laps closely to see if Takahira can quickly move through the pack following his qualifying incident.
What happens next
The opening race of the final championship round is scheduled to begin at 13:00 local time on Saturday, October 10, 2026.
Further reading
For more updates from the track, visit our Motorsports section.
