Get to Know R3 BLU CRU World Cup rider Alessandro Di Persio
Alessandro Di Persio finished his FIM Yamaha R3 Blu Cru World Cup season in the best possible way, scoring the most points in a season (255) since the championship initially began in 2021. With the ARCO Motor University Team, his dominance in the R3 World Cup is unlike anything we had witnessed before with seven race wins in twelve races and finishes on the podium in all races par one in 2025. He won the Italian R3 Cup in 2024 before moving into the World Cup in 2025. As per the promised prize for winning the World Cup, the young Italian is a guaranteed a ride next year in the inaugural World Sportbike Category for 2026.
We sat down with Alex in Estoril before the second race to discuss his remarkable season and more.
What inspired you to start racing?
“Probably my dad and when I saw all the races in TV. When I was four years, I always loved MotoGP with my dad. I asked my dad to try to get to Moto GP and then the next week, he brought me a mini bike and then I go with the bike to a karting circuit. Well starting like this [in a karting circuit] is so different because I was only a child and now the things are so different and now I am more professional and so strong mentality with my ability and a lot of work in these years made it possible to becoming the World Cup champion.”
Who did you watch when you were younger that you’re now trying to emulate?
“Always Marc Márquez. For probably more the mentality, because he was the greatest rider when he was younger, and now the same. He tried to come back and come back like a champion and I like this.”
Who are you looking up to now?
“Aside from Marc, my favourite rider is my best friend, my brother, like my brother, is Bruno Ieraci. This year, he won the Italian Supersport 300 Championship. We train together in Italy, in Abruzzo, near Rome, and we started to grow up together. Another rider I admire is Loka from Yamaha.”
Talking about your mentality, you made a big jump from last year to this year with the amount of podiums this year and the amount of wins. Was there something that influenced you?
“I’m so happy of this and I always thank you to my team for the strategy and the support. They always try to get me the best support possible in every single occasion. From the first test, I felt the team was friendly like family. We do everything in the best possible way together, and we have fun. My dad always, and sometimes my mum come to the races. My dad really helps me stay focused and calm. I changed a lot. My mentality from last year because I start to think about the single races and try to get the best results. I’m ready now for Sportbike and I’m so excited for this. Thank you to Yamaha for this opportunity and yeah for sure it will be fun and probably difficult but we will see. It’s a category like a lot more difficult than probably the Supersport 300 but I’m ready for the adventure.”
Last season you had three podiums in the R3 Cup. This year you’ve had seven wins, ten podiums in eleven races! Did you expect that kind of success?
“Not really. After Portimão I crashed, but then I did a wild card race and learned a lot from the more experienced riders. When I came back to the R3 Cup with Yamaha, I won both races and that gave me confidence. I kept improving, went faster every time, and finally won the championship in Aragón. It was incredible especially because it was my team’s home race. Everyone from the team was there to celebrate. Becoming World Cup Champion, with so many wins this season, was just fantastic. [However] I knew I was stronger than last year. I tried to do my best in all the races and this is what happened. Nine podiums in ten races. I’m so happy about this. I always thank Yamaha for the bike setup and the strategy. I changed my mentality from last year, now I think about each single race and try to get the best result possible.”
How would you describe your riding style?
“My riding style is always so strong on the brakes. And then, you know, strong through the corners – kind of freestyle. I’m so happy to go to the R7 next year, because in that class you try to brake earlier, brake less, and create speed with the bike in the corner but my riding style is like: brake hard, stop the bike in the centre of the corner, and open the gas wide. I always try to lead the race whenever possible. But in some races, I prefer to stay behind, study the others, and then attack on the last lap.”
Do you try to study the riders during the race?
“A lot of times, yes. Because I see, yeah, a rider goes faster than me in one corner, and I say ‘Okay, in the next lap I’ll try to do the same.’ And then I change my riding style sometimes. This year was so different because I was at a higher level than last year, so a lot of times I was the fastest. I watch all of my races back. If I get second, I watch the winner. I study a lot, review the race many times, and then I try to create a strategy for myself and the team.”
What’s it been like learning in such an international paddock, especially with English and Spanish being used so much?
“It’s not easy but I tried. It’s hard, but I try to learn as much English as possible. My team is Spanish, so I’m learning some Spanish too. I started to learn English in school, practice with my family when it’s possible and with all the travel. I like a lot always when I go out from my home. I’m so happy because staying my home is annoying. I like travelling, going to the circuit and winning races. I’m always eager to go to the next round. I’m in Estoril for the last round and the week before I won the championship with two races to go and now for sure I will be more calm but the goal is always the same. It’s to try to win in the race, to be consistent and continuing what I’ve done in all the races in the past.”
Has it sunk in yet that you’re the champion?
“Not completely. Maybe in the next few weeks it will. I’m focused on the final races and I just want to finish the season in the best way possible.”
Aside from the championship, what’s been your favourite motorsport memory so far?
“Definitely winning the World Cup. Maybe also when I won the Italian Championship, or when I won the Intercontinental games.”
How was the initial jump up to World Supersport 300?
“It was difficult, the level is higher and the riders are faster and stronger but I managed it.”
Do you have a favourite track?
“Yeah, I have one. I think Donington. I like it a lot, for the circuit layout and the people, because they were so nice this year. A lot of people came. But yeah, I think Donington is my favourite, because when I ride there, it’s always green, with grass everywhere, so different from the European tracks. The European tracks are so nice to look at and to ride. And that track suits me well.”
You spoke earlier about training with Bruno Ieraci, how does that help you on track?
“He’s like a brother to me. We started training together years ago, and he just won the Italian Supersport Championship in Mugello. It’s good! I train with people from the north of Italy – it’s hard to find others near me in the centre but it keeps me motivated. He teaches me how to be more aggressive. He’s been racing for many years in World Supersport 300. At the start, he was much more aggressive than me. I was fast, but not so aggressive. So in the races, I’d be at the front but lose positions in the last laps. I learned from him how to manage that. And then in the last laps this year, I became one of the best at it.”
We’ve been talking a lot about your mentality this season. You’ve mentioned focus and mindset, how important is it for you to stay grounded and keep a balanced approach?
“It’s very important. This year, I didn’t think about the championship too much. I just focused on doing my best in every race – not only races but also sessions. In free practice, for example, I’d think: “Okay, what do I have to try now to get the best setup possible?’ It’s not always about lap time; it’s about preparing for the race with the bike, the setup, everything.”
Away from the track, what do you enjoy doing?
“I make music. I’m a rapper and producer. It helps me release stress. I’m in my final year of school and I graduate next year.”
How does making music help you mentally with racing?
“It helps me relax and clear my mind. I listen to music before a race, but never my own songs – always from other artists.”
Quick-Fire Questions
Would you rather win from pole position, or from the back of the grid?
“Back of the grid. It’s more exciting, even if it’s more stressful.”
Would you rather have a time penalty or a grid penalty?
“Grid penalty.”
Would you rather stay in a hotel or a motorhome at the track?
“Always near the track.”
What’s your current hype song before a race?
“Anything from Tony Boy or Nicky Savage. No specific one.”
What’s more stressful: the five minutes before qualifying or five minutes before the race?
“Before the race.”
Would you rather have more corner speed or more top speed?
“Corner speed. I prefer overtaking in corners.”
Do you have any race-day rituals?
“Yes. I always put on my right glove and boot before the left ones, and I listen to music.”
Dry race or wet race?
“Dry. But I’m not so bad in the wet – last week, I was even hoping it would rain, because this year has been all dry!”
Favourite track in Italy?
“Probably Misano or Cremona. I don’t really like Mugello with the R3. It’s always not so fun, always full throttle.”
Favourite track overall?
“Donington Park.”
Where do you feel strongest?
“Probably Aragón especially when I escaped from the group and won.”
Who do you least want to go into the final corner alongside on the last lap?
“I prefer to be the one overtaking rather than someone else overtaking me.”
Who’s your biggest sports idol?
“Marc Márquez.”
Favourite cheat meal?
“Pizza or sushi.”
Follow Alessandro Di Persio on @alexdp69
Follow Yamaha R3 Blu Cru World Cup on @yamahablucruofficial.
Thanks to Yamaha Racing for all of the photos included in this piece.
