After a lengthy break, the Ezilift MXW Australian Championship returned to action this weekend in Traralgon for the second round of the season. Lachlan Turner delivered another commanding performance, sweeping both motos to strengthen her position at the top of the championship standings.
Despite crashing while battling Charli Cannon in the opening race, the Yamaha rider recovered to take the win before dominating Race 2 from start to finish. The two-time US WMX Champion now enjoys a comfortable championship lead with only two rounds remaining.
Cannon (2-2) did everything she could to keep the title fight alive. The Honda rider challenged Turner from the opening laps of Race 1, with contact between the pair sending both riders to the ground. Although Cannon rejoined ahead, she was unable to hold off Turner’s charge. In Race 2, the reigning Australian champion again fought for the lead in the opening corners but couldn’t match Turner’s pace. Her second-place finish keeps her mathematically in contention, but she’ll likely need victories in the remaining rounds to defend her title.
Taylah McCutcheon (3-3) completed the overall podium after another consistent weekend. Riding for JPM Kawasaki, she found herself in several close battles but secured valuable championship points. She remains second in the standings, although the gap to Turner has now grown to 24 points.
Darci Whalley (4-4) showed podium pace throughout the weekend. The Honda rider claimed the holeshot in Race 2 before slipping back into a close fight with McCutcheon. Emma Milesevic (5-5) also impressed. A difficult start in the opening moto left her with work to do, but she bounced back to battle for a podium position in Race 2.
Madi Simpson (6-6) once again demonstrated the speed to challenge further up the order, although a few small mistakes proved costly. She finished ahead of Mia Tongue (10-7). Emily Lambert (9-8) claimed eighth overall, tied on points with Tongue, with both riders finishing just one point ahead of Makayla Rimbas (8-10). Nelly Fox (11-11) rounded out the top ten.
The championship now heads into its decisive phase, with just two rounds remaining. Turner has taken control of the title race, but Cannon and McCutcheon will be determined to keep the pressure on until the very end.
