The Victorian regional city of Shepparton is about to get a massive population injection when it hosts the 2026 KTM Australian Junior Motocross Championship (AJMX) from September 28 until October 3.
On the back of the biggest entry list since 2016, the area will come alive as the nation’s best junior talent take to the Goulburn Valley Junior Motorcycle Club (GVJMCC) track in Mooroopna, just up the road from Shepparton.
There will be bumper battles in all 12 championship classes, placing a premium on skill, temperament and endurance over five days of practice, heats and finals.
With 403 riders and 636 bikes competing, interest in the 2026 AJMX Championship is off the charts, with the GVJMCC and its event partner the Greater Shepparton City Council leaving no stone unturned in providing the perfect setting to unearth the next wave of junior motocross superstars.
And it all starts with the entry-level 50cc Auto class for 6-U9yrs competitors, who may be at the horsepower basement but they more than make up for it in grit, determination and a never-say-die attitude as they begin their motocross journeys.
The ladder then moves into the higher-age brackets for boys and girls on two-stroke (up to 150cc) and four-stroke machinery (up to 250cc), featuring a plethora of junior jets who are already well known for their local and international successes.
The 2026 AJMX also includes the Interstate Cup Challenge, where each state fields a team of eight competitors from a minimum of four different classes.
Eight of the 12 individual classes in Mooroopna – those with more than 40 entries – will be decided by a series of heats and finals on the 1.61km track, while those with less than 40 entries will be intense from the get-go as they move straight into finals action.
It all adds up to another sizzling AJMX Championship, with Shepparton hosting the 28th instalment of what is arguably the flagship junior event on the national competition calendar.
On-track action starts at 8am each day, with practice and qualifying on Monday followed by the start of racing on Tuesday.
Entry is free for spectators, and there will be on-site catering. The track is located at 510 Echuca Road, Mooroopna.
Live timing and results from the event will be available here.
Visit www.sheppandgv.com.au for all you need to know about Shepparton and the Goulburn Valley, including Mooroopna on the banks of the picturesque Goulburn River.
Greater Shepparton City Council Mayor, Cr Geoff Akers:
“We’re proud to welcome the Australian Junior Motocross Championships to Greater Shepparton and showcase our region on the national stage.
“This event will bring together the country’s best young riders, their families and supporters, creating a fantastic atmosphere while delivering significant benefits for our local economy, accommodation providers and businesses.
“We look forward to seeing our community get behind this exciting championship event and providing a warm Greater Shepparton welcome to visitors from across Australia.”
Goulburn Valley Junior Motorcycle Club president, Will Gooiker:
“On behalf of the Goulburn Valley Junior Motorcycle Club (GVJMCC), it is our absolute pleasure to welcome you to the 2026 KTM Australian Junior Motocross Championship.
“We are incredibly proud to host Australia’s best junior motocross riders and their families, and we thank you for making the journey to be part of this prestigious event.
“Months of planning and countless volunteer hours have gone into preparing our venue, and we are excited to showcase what our club and the Goulburn Valley region have to offer.
“Throughout the championship, we encourage everyone to enjoy the racing, support all competitors, and help create a positive atmosphere that reflects the spirit of junior motocross.
“Whether you’re competing for a national title, cheering from the sidelines, volunteering behind the scenes or supporting a rider, you are an important part of what makes AJMX such a special event.”
KTM Australia Marketing Manager, Rosie Lalonde:
“The Australian Junior Motocross Championship has long been a cornerstone of junior motocross in Australia, and KTM Australia is incredibly proud to have supported the championship over many years.
“AJMX has played a vital role in the development of countless riders who have progressed through the junior ranks to become household names on both the national and international stage, which speaks volumes about the strength of Australia’s motocross pathway.
“With a record-breaking entry list for 2026, the future of our sport has never looked brighter.
“We’re excited to see riders, families and teams come together in Shepparton for what promises to be a spectacular week of racing, and we look forward to watching the next generation of Australian talent take another step towards achieving their dreams.”
Motorcycling Australia CEO, Peter Doyle:
“The AJMX’s credentials as a motocross talent factory are unparalleled, and it gives me great satisfaction that riders like Chad Reed, Toby Price, Jett Lawrence, Hunter Lawrence, Courtney Duncan, Todd Waters, Matt Moss, Brett Metcalfe, Luke Clout, Wilson Todd, Jed Beaton, Hayden Draper and Blake Bohannon have all passed through the AJMX gates over the years and gone onto national and international stardom.
“But the AJMX is much more than focussing on top-end talent: it’s an incredibly enjoyable event for so many and a wonderful way to spend the September school holidays!
“I would like to extend my gratitude to all those involved in this championship, including the volunteers, officials, staff, riders, teams and sponsors for their unwavering support and hard work.
“And a huge thanks to the Greater Shepparton City Council and Goulburn Valley Junior Motorcycle Club for bringing AJMX to a beautiful part of the country – and the great news is that we’ll do it all again in 2027!
“It takes a community to make a championship, and I thank you all for coming together to make the 2026 KTM Australian Junior Motocross Championship a success.”
Images: Foremost Media
