Australia has a new motocross world champion, with New South Wales teenager Blake Bohannon delivering a flawless performance to win the 2026 FIM World Junior Motocross Championship in the 85cc class in the Czech Republic.

The 13-year-old Yamaha rider from Herons Creek dominated the event at Jinin, winning both championship motos against a world-class field of 70 riders to become the first Australian to win the prestigious title since Bailey Malkiewicz in 2018. He also became just the second Australian after Jay Wilson to claim the 85cc world crown, adding his name alongside Australian junior champions Wilson, Jett Lawrence and Malkiewicz.

From an unbeaten season in the Australian Fox Racing MX85 Cup, Bohannon arrived in Europe with high expectations but had to work hard after qualifying 10th overall. In race one he charged from outside the top five before hunting down Latvia’s Patriks Cirulis and making the winning pass with two laps remaining to claim victory by 1.7 seconds.

Race two was equally impressive. Another ordinary start left Bohannon outside the top 10, but the young Australian again carved his way through the field before taking the lead shortly after half distance and pulling away to secure a perfect 50-point score and the world title.

“I’m just stoked and don’t know what to say,” Bohannon said. “We put in so much work for this race and wanted to do well but can’t really believe I won. I loved the track here and my bike was so good.”

Bohannon’s Yamaha YZ85, equipped with a GYTR Hi-Performance kit, also recorded the fastest lap in both races, underlining his complete dominance across the weekend. Australia’s junior team also produced several standout performances. Yamaha rider Hudson Francis impressed on his World Championship debut to finish sixth overall in the 65cc class after battling through highly competitive fields in both motos.

KTM rider Ryder Madafiglio completed a strong Australian showing by finishing 10th overall in the same class, while Jayce Stocker claimed 11th overall in the 85cc category after an excellent eighth-place finish in the second moto.

In the 125cc class, Seth Thomas finished 33rd overall after qualifying through the last chance race, while Cooper Ford narrowly missed qualifying for the championship motos.

Bohannon will now return to Australia as he prepares to contest the final two rounds of the 2026 ProMX MX3 Championship, with his World Junior title confirming him as one of Australia’s brightest future motocross stars.

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