Cannon Wins Final Round as Women’s Motocross Reaches New Heights

Quad Lock Honda and Honda help showcase the growing significance of women in motorsport

The final round of the 2026 AMA Pro Motocross and Women’s Motocross Championship delivered more than race results. It provided a clear demonstration of how far women’s motocross has come, and the role Charli Cannon, Honda and Quad Lock Honda have played in helping push it forward.

Cannon dominated the final round, claiming her second overall victory of the 2026 season and securing second overall in the championship.

But the significance of the weekend went well beyond the podium.

The final round showcased a women’s field that was deep, competitive and increasingly recognised on the world stage. The gates were full, the racing was intense and international attention continued to grow, with reigning World Champion Lotte van Drunen competing in several rounds in the championship and Daniella Karri the current leader of the FIM Women’s Motocross World Championship also making the trip to the final round.

Live television coverage, increased investment from Honda in ensuring the women’s races received meaningful exposure, and commentary from some of the sport’s biggest names, including James Stewart, further demonstrated that women’s motocross is no longer something sitting on the outside of the sport.

It is becoming an important part of it.

That momentum was accelerated when Honda Australia and American Honda came together, with support from Quad Lock, to bring Charli Cannon to America.

The initial story was easy to sell, an Australian rider representing Honda, racing in America and creating a respected rivalry between two countries and two brands.

But ultimately, it was the racing that mattered.

Cannon and the leading riders in the championship were posting lap times capable of placing them into qualifying territory against the men, attacking the same triples and rhythm sections and demonstrating the level of speed, commitment and technical ability required to compete at the highest level.

That matters.

Because every time a young girl watches Charli Cannon line up, sees a full gate of women, watches the racing live on television and sees women receiving the same level of respect and attention as the rest of the sport, it changes what she believes is possible.

For Honda, this is bigger than racing.

Honda has a long history of supporting women in motorsport and developing opportunities for female athletes, and the Cannon program provided another opportunity to demonstrate that commitment through a genuine, competitive factory-supported racing program.

For Quad Lock Honda, it has also provided the opportunity to help tell a different story about women in motorsport , one based on performance, competition and achievement rather than simply participation.

For Cannon herself, the journey has been anything but easy. After suffering a serious hand injury last year, followed by a broken back late in the 2025 season and a shoulder injury during 2026, Cannon has had to continually rebuild herself physically and mentally.

Her response has been hard work, perseverance and an unwillingness to accept anything less than her best.

The final round of the 2026 season showed just how far that determination has taken her.

Second in the championship. Two overall victories. And, on the final weekend, a performance that showed exactly what she is capable of.

“This was an amazing way to finish. The team, the riders on my team, the mechanics, everyone has been behind me, encouraged me and helped me, and it showed. I can’t thank them enough. This weekend was special. We had the best riders in the world here and I’m really happy,” said Cannon.

For Quad Lock Honda’s 250 program, it was a mixed final round.

Guest rider Australian champion, Alex Larwood endured a difficult start to the weekend but produced a strong second moto to finish his American campaign with a 12th in the final moto. After a challenging qualifying session, Larwood steadily improved throughout the day, passing several factory riders and demonstrating the speed he has developed during his time racing in the United States.

“Had you asked me after qualifying if I would have achieved a 12th, I would have said you were dreaming. But we worked hard today, we learnt, we improved, and I’m learning more than I imagined. I’m grateful for this opportunity,” said Larwood.

Brodie Connolly endured a frustrating final round, battling illness throughout the weekend.

“I had nothing. My energy was zapped and I really had nothing. I’m sorry for the weekend. The bike was good and I’ll work on getting better, i have carried this flu for a few weeks” said Connolly.

Christian Craig, the team’s sole 450 rider as Savatgy is still recovering from a hand injury, crashed heavily in the opening moto and was forced to retire from the remainder of the weekend.

For Cannon, however, the final round represented much more than a race win.

It was another step in changing the perception of what women’s motocross can be and what women in motorsport can achieve when they are given the opportunity, resources and platform to compete at the highest level.

The racing is getting faster. The fields are getting stronger. The audience is getting bigger. And women’s motocross is finding its place at the centre of the sport.

Quad Lock Honda, Honda Australia and American Honda have been proud to be part of that journey.

The team now turns its attention to the SMX Playoffs, bringing the 2026 American racing campaign into its final phase.