The FIM Oceania Women’s Motocross Cup returns to the Wonthaggi track in Victoria on March 21-22, with defending champion Australia to take on the United States of America and New Zealand in what’s expected to be another exhilarating Trans-Pacific battle.

With only minor changes to the rosters from the 2025 event – Honda duo Darci Whalley and Mayla Herrick making their debuts for Australia and the United States respectively – it will be very much a case of familiar surroundings as the women compete for FIM Oceania honours over three 15-minute plus a lap motos – one standalone and two as part of the Ezilift MXW class in the Penrite ProMX Championship presented by AMX Superstores (ProMX) opener.

After last year’s FIM Oceania cliff-hanger, where Australia rallied late to defeat the USA by just 2pts, the expectation is that we’re in for another pulsating pressure-packed finish in 2026.

In 2025, the free-flowing brilliance of Charli Cannon – who won all three motos – was the vital winning edge for Australia over the USA’s superior depth, and the 20-year-old Queenslander will again be the lynchpin for the Aussies on her Honda.

Cannon will be joined by fellow FIM Oceania stalwarts Taylah McCutcheon (Kawasaki) and Taylor Thompson (KTM) – both top 10 finishers in the 2025 FIM Women’s Motocross Championship round in Darwin – and 18-year-old rookie, Whalley.

Like Cannon, a huge amount of responsibility will also fall on the shoulders of the USA’s Lachlan Turner, with the reigning American champion not only returning for FIM Oceania duties but making her full-time ProMX debut for Yamaha.

While Turner’s sights will be firmly fixed on her friend and budding rival Cannon, the recently turned 19-year-old can also count on Jordan Jarvis (Yamaha) and Jamie Astudillo (Yamaha) posting another batch of strong results to keep USA in the hunt.

Meanwhile, 16-year-old sensation Herrick has made a meteoric rise through the American amateur ranks over the last two years and could shape as a real X-factor in Wonthaggi.

New Zealand retains Mila Dahlenburg (KTM), captain Amie Roberts (Yamaha), Mikayla Griffiths (Yamaha) and Karaitiana Horne (Kawasaki) in its line-up, with the Kiwis looking to take maximum advantage of any hiccups from their rivals.

Horne, 17, was all class for New Zealand in last year’s FIM Oceania Women’s Motocross Cup as her senior career continues to go from strength to strength – which included a fast-finishing fourth in the 2025 ProMX title behind Cannon, McCutcheon and Thompson.

The opening FIM Oceania battle will be held on Saturday afternoon, followed by the standalone moto on Sunday morning – and then the high-stakes finale at midday on Sunday.

Again, the lowest-scoring team will be declared the FIM Oceania champion, with each team allowed to drop its worst result.

Both Sunday motos will be livestreamed on www.auspromx.com.au and the ProMX Facebook page, and also via FIM-MOTO.TV for international viewers.