The three-time Australian Champion, Charli Cannon, has been eagerly waiting for 12 months to compete against the fastest women in the world at the final round of the World Women’s Championship. The young Queenslander admitted that the pace is both fast and intense, leaving her feeling less prepared than she’d like, as she finished fifth in race 1.
“The pace is really intense. I was pushing for third, but my lack of preparation against these girls is clear. I just need to stay close, get used to the speed, and work my way up. I feel capable of racing with the leaders, but they’ve been battling each other all year, and I feel like I’ve arrived late to the party,” said Cannon.
After dominating Australian motocross for three years, Charli acknowledges that the level of competition on the world stage demands serious respect. She knows that to truly contend for podiums and wins, she’ll need to be racing in Europe full-time next year.
“They’re fast, really fast, and racing each other week in and week out helps push them forward. I want to continue competing in the Australian Championships, but if I want to keep up with these girls, I need to be here,” said Cannon.
Charli and her team have reviewed race footage and analysed the track. She sees areas where she can improve and is aiming for a podium finish in her second race.
“I’m going to give it everything I’ve got in the second race. There are some lines I need to change, and I need to be more aggressive in certain areas. It’s a steep learning curve, and while I know what needs to be faster, making those changes mid-race is tough. I also want to finish safely and use this experience to better prepare for next year if I get the chance,” added Cannon.