A stroke of genius from the AS BLU CRU Racing Team saw the new-look outfit taking a stunning 1-2 finish in challenging conditions in the second FIM Supersport World Championship race of 2026 at Phillip Isalnd in Australia with Albert Arenas and Aldi Satya Mahendra.
After stunning conditions at the iconic Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit for the past week, things took a turn on Sunday with intermittent rain showers throughout the day – including one not long before the second 18-lap World Supersport race, leaving riders and teams in a quandary on the grid as they had to decide between wet and dry tyres.
While Phillip Island is a track that dries notoriously fast, many weather forecasts were predicting further rainfall but a bold call, led by the riders, on the grid saw Arenas and Mahendra among only a handful of riders to opt for dry tyres from the start.
While the riders at the front of the grid, mostly on wet tyres, led in the early stages, it didn’t take long for Arenas to break through to the leading group, but the surprise came on lap two, when Aldi Satya Mahendra took the lead from his team-mate despite having started 28th and last on the grid.
The AS BLU CRU Racing duo battled it out for a few laps while leaving the riders on wet tyres behind, before Arenas broke free of his team-mate to cruise to a comfortable debut victory in his first weekend in the class. Mahendra crossed the line just under five seconds behind for his maiden podium in World Supersport, and the first in history for an Indonesian rider.
Realising his mistake in choosing wet tyres, 2025 series runner-up Can Öncü (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate) pitted on lap seven and finished highest out of the riders who had to stop to change tyres in fifth place. Roberto Garcia (GMT94 Yamaha) finished sixth with team-mate Lucas Mahias ninth. Yuki Okamoto crossed the line 22nd on the Pata Yamaha Ten Kate R9.
Arenas’ strong weekend sees him take the lead of the championship standings by seven points ahead of Jaume Masia. Aldi Mahendra sits fifth and Can Öncü sixth. The second round of the season takes place at the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve (Portimão).
FULL RACE TWO RESULTS
CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS
Albert Arenas – AS BLU CRU Racing – Race 2: 1st
“It feels good to win again, it has been a very special weekend! It has not been easy, we started with some issues but we overcame them and this made it very sweet to take this win in Phillip Island. It was a difficult decision on the grid with the tyres, I have been looking at the forecast all day, on six or seven apps, and I decided on the grid to gamble and it paid off as the bike felt incredible on the slick tyres. I am also very happy for my team-mate as he made the same decision and was able to also finish on the podium with a 1-2 for the team. I feel really good with the team, the team members are so professional and I am working with them very well – it’s been a special weekend for us all. Now we must focus on getting back to Europe and understanding our level on the more ‘normal’ layouts!”
Michael Le Pard (“Mr. Totalmotorcycle”) is the Founder of Total Motorcycle, the world’s largest motorcycle information site, trusted by over 430 million riders since 1999. With over 34 years of experience in motorcycles, gear and rider culture, he has built a global community dedicated to empowering and inspiring motorcyclists.
Total Motorcycle remains his passion project. Combining expert research, hands‑on knowledge and a commitment to helping riders make informed decisions about bikes, gear and safety worldwide.
