Charli Cannon continued her gritty 2025 AMA Women’s Motocross Championship campaign with an impressive third overall at Hangtown, thanks to determined 2-3 moto finishes that placed her equal second in points for the round, third overall on countback.
The result keeps her championship hopes well and truly alive, despite still racing with a recently broken and surgically repaired index finger on her clutch hand.
The rugged Hangtown track dished out rough conditions and high temperatures, but the championship’s top contenders put on another close-fought show, setting the stage for an intense back-to-back weekend as the series heads to round three.
Now sitting fourth in the championship standings, just a handful of points off second, the 19-year-old Queenslander is keeping herself firmly in title contention while pushing through injury and unfamiliar conditions.
“The girls over here are fast and confident, you can see it. They know these tracks well, and that’s a big advantage,” Cannon said. “I’m not making excuses, this is outside my comfort zone, and on top of that, I haven’t been able to train during the week due to my hand. The next round is this coming weekend, and the injury is still fresh at just 21 days. I’m hoping the pain eases a little more, so I can push through both motos and minimise the points deficit. I’ll be aiming to come back at full strength for the final three rounds after the Australian championships conclude in August. You need to bring your A-game to beat these girls.”
Cannon’s resilience has been a standout story of the series so far. Her Hangtown podium follows a remarkable debut at Pala, where she finished third overall just six days after surgery. The injury occurred only a week before the season opener, when she crashed in training and dislocated and broke her index finger in two places. With plates inserted the next day, she faced a race against time just to make it to the gate.
“I crashed going into a turn, crushed and dislocated my index finger, and broke it in two places,” Cannon explained. “The doctor wasn’t sure I’d be able to race, but I had other ideas. He saw how determined I was, so we made a plan.”
That determination hasn’t gone unnoticed. Team Principal Martin Davalos was full of praise for her effort at Hangtown.
“Most athletes—men or women—wouldn’t return to competition for at least six weeks after an injury like this,” said Davalos. “What makes it even more incredible is that it’s the index finger, which is critical for both gripping the handlebar and operating the clutch. The swelling is still obvious; it can’t be comfortable. For Charli to finish 2nd and 3rd and take 3rd overall is a testament to her courage and desire to succeed.”
With three rounds in as many weekends to start the series, Cannon and her team are playing the long game — managing recovery while staying in the fight.
“We’re not backing down,” she said. “I didn’t come here to give up—I came to win.”
The championship continues this weekend with Round 3, as Cannon aims to maintain her momentum and build on her American journey.
