It’ll again be Australia versus the star-studded internationals at the final round of the 2026 FIM Women’s Motocross World Championship (WMX) in Darwin from September 18-20. Nine Australian wildcards will compete in the MXGP of Australia presented by Sitzler, all drawn from the 2026 Penrite ProMX Championship presented by AMX Superstores (ProMX).

In addition, American hard-charger Lachlan Turner, who currently leads the ProMX title after a flawless season, will be making her first appearance in Darwin. The Australian wildcards are as follows:

• Madison Simpson, Qld, Yamaha
• Sienna Giudice, NSW, KTM
• Felicity Shrimpton, Qld, Yamaha
• Darci Whalley, Qld, Honda
• Leah Rimbas, WA, KTM
• Makayla Rimbas, WA, Honda
• Samantha Macarthur, NSW, Husqvarna
• Emma Milesevic, Vic, Yamaha
• Stephanie Turnbull, Qld GASGAS

Six of the riders – Simpson, Giudice, Shrimpton, Whalley, Leah Rimbas and Macarthur – competed at the MXGP of Australia in 2025, which marked the return of FIM world motocross action Down Under after a 24-year hiatus.

Simpson and Rimbas both dug deep in a stacked field to score top 10 results on the 21-jump Hidden Valley track, while Whalley also claimed multiple international scalps. The trio will be looking to build on those foundations in 2026, while 28-year-old Milesevic will be another Aussie to put on the watch list.

Milesevic has a sparkling motocross CV in the junior (two-time Australian champion) and senior (two-time ProMX runner-up) ranks, and has enjoyed an impressive comeback from injury in 2026 competing in Australia and America.

Milesevic has prior MXGP experience, too, contesting seven European rounds across the 2017 and 2018 seasons – with her opposition including two riders who remain in the top echelon of the FIM Women’s Motocross World Championship: New Zealander Courtney Duncan and Italian icon Kiara Fontanesi.

The duo shares a phenomenal 10 world titles, and both will be key players in what’s expected to be a pulsating championship finale in Darwin.

The list of contenders will also include gifted Spaniard, 20-year-old Daniela Guillén, who leads the championship after three of five rounds, and reigning WMX champion Lotte van Drunen. Turner, the 19-year-old mega talent from Nevada, could also have a huge say in the final standings in her Darwin cameo.

“I’m delighted to start announcing the wildcards for the 2026 MXGP of Australia,” said MA CEO, Peter Doyle. “Just like the inaugural MXGP in Darwin last year, the Aussie women are supporting the event in large numbers, adding more flair and depth to an already exceptional field. There won’t only be pride on the line between the Australian wildcards, but the WMX title is also set to go down to the wire at Hidden Valley so it’s going to be an event not to be missed.”

The WMX riders will compete in Darwin alongside the MXGP and MX2 classes in the 2026 FIM Motocross World Championship. The MXGP of Australia will also include the MA Motocross State Challenge for emerging local talent in the MX85 and MX3 development categories.

For more information on the MXGP of Australia, including the three-day program and ticketing options, visit mxgpaustralia.com.au.