Charli Cannon Gains Momentum with Podium at AMA Women’s Championship Round 3

Charli Cannon’s American campaign is beginning to build momentum, with the 19-year-old delivering her strongest result yet in the AMA Women’s Motocross Championship—qualifying fastest and finishing second overall at Round 3.

After a challenging start to the series, Cannon’s performance at Colorado’s Thunder Valley showed clear signs of progress. She looked confident on track, topping qualifying and continuing to close the gap to series front-runners Kaitlyn Turner and Jordan Jarvis.

“I just want to be at my best. That’s all I’ve ever wanted,” Cannon said. “The girls over here are fast—Turner and Nielsen are pushing hard—and I’m learning and adapting every race.”

Though still recovering from a serious finger injury sustained just days before flying to the U.S., Cannon has lined up at every round so far, refusing to let setbacks dictate her season. She underwent surgery only a week before the opening race but has steadily improved with each round, and her latest result puts her third in the overall standings.

Her commitment has drawn admiration from within the paddock, with Honda Racing Australia Director Yarrive Konsky praising her work ethic and drive.

“If she can stand, if she can walk, if she can hold on, she will race,” he said. “She’s rich in determination and resilience. I’ve been doing this for more than 30 years, and she’s the pure definition of defiance and motivation.”

Cannon’s speed at Thunder Valley also earned praise from broadcast commentators, including James Stewart, who highlighted her qualifying pace—quick enough to rank inside the top 30 of the men’s 250 Pro class.

With three rounds remaining, Cannon will now return home to Australia to rest and recover before the final stretch of the championship.

“I have a points gap to close. When I return, I need to win every race. I’ll go home, rest, let the swelling settle, see my surgeon, and work on a plan to come back stronger,” she said. “If I come back, I’m coming back to win.”

From a disrupted lead-in to a podium performance, Cannon’s results are trending upward, building confidence and laying the groundwork for a strong finish to her U.S. debut season.