Lauren May Collingwood has achieved her dream of becoming the 2026 MXGB Women’s British Motocross Champion, wrapping up the title at Foxhill following a superbly consistent season that saw her finish inside the top three in every championship race.
For Collingwood, the achievement represents the culmination of years of hard work, sacrifice and determination. Having spent a considerable period away from motocross, the #125 rider has worked tirelessly to return to the sport and reach the top of British women’s racing.
Balancing two jobs, running her own motocross training academy and funding her racing ambitions, Collingwood’s journey to becoming British Champion has been anything but straightforward.
Speaking exclusively to Dirt Hub, Lauren admitted that the emotions of finally achieving her goal caught her by surprise.
“It feels amazing, honestly I cannot even explain it. 5 years ago I didn’t even have a bike, never mind compete. But I always had this dream I’d be exactly where I am now, and it still feels surreal. I had a long time away from motocross from being a kid because the help just wasn’t there when I was young.”
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Having previously enjoyed success during her youth racing career, becoming British Champion again as an adult was something she had been determined to achieve.
“One of my goals I set myself was to become British champion again, but as an adult this time. It’s not so easy for me as just sitting on the bike; all of my money, time, everything is my own. I work so hard on and off the bike just to be able to line up on the start line, so that feeling of knowing I was British champion when I went over the line at Foxhill was incredible. I’m not emotional in the slightest, but I did cry, only for a little while though haha! But just knowing all that hard work I’ve put in over the last 4 years was worth it was just an amazing feeling!”
Consistency is the key to championship success
One of the most impressive aspects of Collingwood’s 2026 campaign was her consistency.
The British Champion never finished outside the top three in any MXGB race throughout the season, demonstrating a more measured approach that ultimately helped her secure the championship. For Lauren, it was a conscious decision to change her approach to racing and concentrate on consistent results rather than taking unnecessary risks.
“Normally I’m like a bull in a china shop and get injured at the start of the year haha! But this year was different, I decided to calm it back a little and become more consistent in all of my races (I think that’s what you do when you’re getting older lol). I think you just learn better race craft the older you get, I’ve learnt the hard way over the years that it’s not all won and lost on the first round too so I think that’s definitely helped me!”
Unsurprisingly, the championship-clinching round at Foxhill stands out as her favourite event of the season.
“My favourite round has to be Foxhill. One I wrapped up the British title there after quite a few years trying & two because I absolutely love that track! I’m not the biggest fan of hardpack tracks, but that place just gives me a completely different vibe & now it’s definitely one for the memories!”
Helping develop the future of women’s motocross
While Collingwood has been concentrating on her own racing ambitions, she has also been heavily involved in helping develop women’s motocross in Britain. The 2026 Women’s British Championship ran alongside the youth championship programme, with separate races for the female competitors. It was a format Lauren believes represents a significant step forward for the sport, particularly in providing a clearer progression route for younger female riders.
“I think it’s been amazing and a massive step forward for the women in the UK! I did a lot with the ACU over winter to help increase participation in our British championship and give the youth girls the correct path towards MXGP. It’s something I’m passionate about, I like to do as much as I can with my girls that moto, to help create a brighter future for the women of motocross so creating a pathway through for the younger girls was definitely something that’s super important. Some of these youth girls I have actually trained in my academy, so having them learn from us in real race time has been amazing!”
Through her own all-girls motocross training academy, Collingwood has witnessed first-hand the importance of encouraging more female participation in the sport. She believes that dedicated women’s racing opportunities and a clear championship structure can help attract more competitors and develop the next generation of British talent.
“I think it’s so important to have a standalone women’s British championship to help build a better future for these girls. I teach right from grassroots all the way through and having something for the girls to aim towards is super important! The venues they use for the British championship and the team behind that run it do an amazing job. They also worked all winter with myself and the ACU to create an amazing championship for the girls! I believe having an all girl lineup really does help. My training schools are also just girls and the confidence I see in the girls is unreal so that can only benefit on a race day also!”
Taking on the world’s best at Foxhill
Alongside her British Championship campaign, Collingwood also competed in the WMX class at the British Motocross Grand Prix at Foxhill. Racing against some of the world’s leading female motocross competitors provided another opportunity for Lauren to test herself at international level. Despite making a promising start to the opening moto, a shoulder injury ultimately brought a premature end to her weekend.
“I absolutely loved it! I know I said previous I love Foxhill as a track in general. But the Grand Prix there was the first time I’d ridden there in years! I had a really good start in moto 1, was just outside the top 10, which for a privateer is a pretty sweet feeling! I then dropped back as I injured my shoulder pretty bad. I was excused from riding on the Sunday which I was pretty gutted about as the track looked amazing and I was just gutted I wasn’t able to show my home crowd what I could really do! Let’s hope it comes back to Foxhill again for the WMX in the near future!”
Team GB ambitions and the European Women’s Motocross of Nations
Another exciting development for women’s motocross is the possibility of a British team competing in the European Women’s Motocross of Nations. With discussions surrounding a potential Team GB entry, Collingwood would relish the opportunity to represent her country. Having been involved in motocross for more than two decades, she has witnessed the progression of women’s racing and hopes the sport can continue to grow.
“I would absolutely love to represent my country. I have been a part of this sport for over 20 years, right from racing autos all the way through. To have a place in the European women’s nations would be incredible! I think it’s amazing if we do get a team there. When I was racing as a kid there wasn’t even a women’s world championship to start with so the sport has definitely progressed over that time. And hopefully it will just keep progressing!”
European racing and British title defence planned for 2027
Having finally secured the British Championship, Collingwood is already turning her attention towards the 2027 season. Despite her success this year, Lauren admits that her preparations for 2026 were far from ideal, with work commitments limiting her time on the bike during the winter.
However, with the championship now under her belt, she is determined to give herself the best possible preparation for next season.
“Last year I didn’t actually get any winter training in before this season. I actually work 2 jobs and I was busy with both over the winter so my training sort of ended up on the back burner. When I did the first British championship round in March, I had only actually sat on my bike a few times and I came out swinging! We then sat down and realised that I needed to spend more time on the bike myself. So we went back to the drawing board and decided to put more into my riding too, & it definitely paid off.”
For the first time in her racing career, Collingwood plans to undertake a proper winter training programme in Spain, although she will still be balancing her riding with running her motocross academy and working two jobs.
“I will get out to Spain over winter and get some proper winter training in for the first time in my career! I also have my all girls training school in Spain in January to so I’m never to far away from working haha! I’m still working 2 jobs but have already booked the time out as like they say you either have excuses or results & I want the latter!”
And her ambitions extend beyond simply defending her British crown.
Lauren has confirmed plans to compete in four European rounds of the WMX Championship in 2027, alongside another campaign in the Women’s British Motocross Championship.
“Also for next year I will be competing in the four European rounds of the WMX championship & also compete in the women’s British championship again.”
For a rider who did not even have a motorcycle five years ago, Collingwood’s journey back to the top of British women’s motocross is a remarkable achievement.
With a British Championship title secured, European racing ambitions on the horizon and a continued commitment to helping develop the next generation of female riders, Lauren May Collingwood has plenty to look forward to in 2027.
And having finally realised her dream of becoming British Champion again, she has shown that hard work, perseverance and determination can make all the difference.
