3 Women’s World Championships to watch, follow, and promote heading into 2026. FIM Women’s Enduro GP Championship, Women’s Circuit Racing Championship, and Women’s Motocross World Championship have raised the bar yet again on the level of professionalism of women in Motorsport. From crowning the first ever American female to win Enduro Women’s GP – Rachel Gutish – to viewing the fierce battles on track between eventual winner Maria Herrera, Beartiz Neila, and Chloe Jones in World WCR – to celebrating the last moto victory by Lotte van Drunen winning WMX for the second time – these women command a stellar presence on and off the track to a growing global audience.
Most certainly, women racing at World Championship level have endured all physical training, technical development, and mental tenacity to produce results equal to their competitors – which is a lot. Similarly, these women have remained steadfast and resolute in their determination to gain financial support to race, even when circumstances of living too far away from races, or unable to gain practice time, or having to juggle daily work commitments – would deem pursuing a racing as too hard.
Without a doubt, the battles on track in all 3 World Championships have been intense with results unpredictable given the level of performances from seasoned rider’s and rookies. For Women’s Enduro GP, times between top contender’s have been close with Rieju team-rider’s – Rosie Rowett and Rachel Gutish taking winning podiums, along with Honda’s – Francesca Nocera, Beta rider – Justine Martell – and Sherco rider – Nieve Holmes pushing race performances to the max across all tests.
Entering Enduro Women’s GP Championship 17th edition in 2026, the sought after Title will pit the best women rider’s of specials to the test again, showcasing their racing skills over obstacles and the most difficult terrain – off cambres, slippery uphill and downhill slopes at speed – to viewer’s watching track-side. Capturing the high intensity of racing over 2 days requires filming rider’s competing at specials, interviews pre-during and post racing, and taking photos of moments of joy or exhaustion. For sure, these women compete on the same level as their male counter-parts – you just have to see it to believe it.
The 3rd edition of World WCR in 2026 will send anticipation of results skywards. There is no doubt that this season’s racing produced closer battles on track, pushing rider’s to ensure smart race strategies played out all the way to the last corner, while prompting mid-field rider’s to improve performances from one round to the next. Certainly, wild-card entries mixed up any thoughts of expectation of results – as Paola Ramos demonstrated by taking Race 2 win at the final Round in Jerez.
With World WCR 2026 rider’s confirmed, fan engagement will focus on who, how, and when each women will rise to the challenge of gaining valuable points across 6 Rounds from March through to October. Already questions are being asked – will Maria Herrera’s switch to GRT Yamaha Team counter the new opportunity for Paola Ramos who has signed with Klint Forward Racing, or will Neila, Sara Sanchez, Jones, Roberta Ponziani, Lucie Boudesseul and the rest pull out competitive vibes which has made this Series so exciting to watch?
Remarkably, Women’s Motocross World Championship enters the 19th edition in 2026, capping off nearly 2 decades of the best women MX rider’s in the world competing at MXGP venues. From the founding years of Women’s Motocross World Cup in 2005 – 2007 – with Stephanie Laier winning in ’05 and NZ’s Katherine Prumm in ’06 and ’07 – there has only been 6 WMX Champions. Laier won the Title in 2009, ‘010, and ‘011, Livia Lancelot won in 2008 and 2016, Kiara Fontanesi holds the record of winning 6 WMX Championships in 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017, and 2018, Courtney Duncan has claimed 4 Titles in 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2023, Nancy van de Ven won in 2022, and Lotte van Drunen took victory in 2024 and 2025.
The heat was certainly dialed up on who would claim WMX 2025 Championship across 6 Rounds and is not likely to come down heading into the new season. Defending Champion – Lotte van Drunen – undoubtedly felt the pressure as her points lead was challenged each Round – making anticipation of results from the opening Round in April ‘026 – most likely in Spain – to the final Round in Darwin – hard to pick. Stand-out facts are: the number of rider’s whose capabilities to take pole in qualifying, get the gate jump, and maintain track position has increased, along with sheer hunger for a win. For sure, Fontanesi, Daniela Guillen, Lynn Valk, Courtney Duncan and up-coming talents of Martine Hughes and Lucy Barker will relish the opportunity to race on the mixed terrains of hard-pack, loamy soil, and sand.
Yes, all 3 Women’s World Championships are set to enthrall those watching and following races, let’s hope rider’s gain the most coverage, promotion, and visibility through-out the season which they all deserve.
Header photo: Women’s Enduro GP, World WCR, and WMX.
Words: Sharon Cox.
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