Set to run alongside the Penrite ProMX season-opener in Wonthaggi this weekend is the FIM Oceania Women’s Motocross Cup, which will feature teams of five riders who will represent their respective nations, as Australia and New Zealand will be joined by the United States and Africa. We explain the purpose behind the unique new initiative.

Conceptualized last year and held at New Zealand’s Woodville circuit, the FIM Oceania Women’s Motocross Cup saw teams from Australia and New Zealand go head-to-head, with the former coming out on top at the inaugural showdown.

For this year’s event, both the United States and Africa have joined the grid, creating a star-studded lineup for the Wonthaggi ProMX season opener, and ample competition who are gearing up to take the challenge to defending MXW champion, Charli Cannon.

Image: Foremost Media.

Leading the charge is the always-strong American team, with captain Kyleigh Stallings (Team Green Kawasaki) spearheading the Stars and Stripes roster. A further four riders will line up as part of the USA team, who will be determined to take this year’s trophy across the Pacific Ocean.

A welcomed addition to the competition this weekend is Africa, which will field a line-up of five riders with team captain and eight-time MXoAN (Motocross of African Nations) champion Leah Heygate leading her team into battle. This is a huge milestone and addition to women’s racing, with Africa showcasing that the sport is growing in both popularity and involvement in all areas of the world.

Finally, both Australia and New Zealand will field their respective five-rider line-ups, with Cannon assuming captaincy for the home team, while NZ has tapped two-time New Zealand Motocross champion Amie Roberts to fly their flags at Wonthaggi.

Image: Foremost Media.

It’s a truly impressive rostrum of riders and contributes greatly to the 38-strong MXW rider start line, with the action in the class nothing short of exciting and certainly one to watch across the weekend.

As for the format, the event will feature three motos across the weekend, broken down into a standalone team shootout, followed by two races integrated into the MXW class across the weekend.

The point-scoring system allows each team – listed in full below – to drop its worst result to determine the final standings and the overall winning team.

Image: Foremost Media.

Team Australia
• Charli Cannon (Honda, captain)
• Taylah McCutcheon (Kawasaki)
• Taylor Thompson (KTM)
• Madison Healey (GASGAS)
• Madi Simpson (Yamaha)

Team New Zealand
• Aime Roberts (Yamaha, captain)
• Karaitiana Horne (Kawasaki)
• Taylar Rampton (Kawasaki)
• Mikayla GriƯiths (Yamaha)
• Milla Dahlenberg (KTM)

Team United States of America
• Kyleigh Stallings (Kawasaki, captain)
• Jamie Astudillo (KTM)
• Jordan Jarvis (Yamaha)
• Lachlan Turner (Yamaha)
• Mikayla Nielsen (Honda)

Team Africa
• Leah Heygate (KTM, captain)
• Atete Benzinge (KTM)
• Zoe Lee Waldschmidt (KTM)
• Zoe Botha (KTM)
• Kateete Sharifah (GASGAS)