Eyes on 2025 SuperMotocross

Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing recorded a solid points night at Round 2 of the 2026 AMA Supercross Championship in San Diego, with both Malcolm Stewart and Ryder DiFrancesco achieving top 10 results, and 450SX newcomer RJ Hampshire showing signs of progress, at a sold out Snapdragon Stadium. Western division 250SX contender DiFrancesco began the day well on the fast-paced track layout, qualifying third on combined times and dialing in his Husqvarna FC 250 Factory Edition from the outset in warm conditions. In his Heat Race, the 20-year-old was again competitive throughout the duration, claiming a fifth-place finish that saw him take a direct transfer into the night's 250SX Main Event and looking to continue last weekend's podium form. A tough start to the Main Event saw DiFrancesco classified well outside the top 10 as the gates dropped, leaving the popular Californian with a lot of work to do throughout the race. In impressive style, he would charge forward, climbing to seventh position by the time the checkered flag flew, and limiting the damage toward his title chase. After San Diego, Ryder D is currently ranked fifth in the 250SX West standings, only eight points outside of the lead as the series returns to Anaheim next weekend. “San Diego was good!” reflected DiFrancesco. “I qualified really well, we were all so close on the leaderboard between the top-three, so my speed is really not a problem. I just need to work on putting myself in a better position from the start, but I feel like everything is coming together. My endurance and mental side are solid, so we’ll be aiming for some more podiums and wins as the season continues.” After overcoming his incident at Anaheim 1 just one week ago, Rockstar Energy Husqvarna's Malcolm Stewart made a gritty return to racing at Snapdragon Stadium, battling soreness as he took his Husqvarna FC 450 Factory Edition to the 13th-fastest qualifying time. The 33-year-old was again impressive in his Heat, racing to a sixth-place finish while managing his shoulder injury. Consistent laps saw Stewart complete the race with a well-earned 10th-place result, with continued recovery the priority as he and the team look forward to Anaheim 2 next weekend. “First things first, I’m stoked to be out here racing,” said Stewart. “We had a big one last Saturday night, and then did a bunch of therapy during the week to be able to line up in San Diego. Practice went okay even if I was really sore, and then the Heat Race was decent, but all-in-all, I just geared myself up for the Main Event. I did everything I could and I am really proud to say that P10, honestly, means a lot to me. I rode my own race, which I’m happy with, and these next few weeks are going to be tough, but we’ll do some more therapy and then get ready for A2.” Following a promising week of testing onboard his Husqvarna FC 450 Factory Edition, Hampshire arrived in San Diego with added confidence as the Florida native continued his first full season in the 450SX class by qualifying seventh. The 29-year-old then showed more speed throughout the round, running up front in his Heat Race before a minor fall resulted in a P7 finish. In the Main Event, Hampshire started just outside the top 10 in the opening laps before battling through the race to finish 12th, continuing to build experience in his maiden premier class campaign. “I felt a lot better on the bike this weekend,” commented Hampshire. “We made big improvements as a team during the week, even if tonight’s result doesn’t really reflect that. I had better speed and it’s just about putting it all together now – getting stronger, completing the laps, and I think we’ll continue to grow. We’ll aim for a solid result next weekend. We’re not close to where we can be, so we’ll keep pushing to be better over the next few rounds. Thanks to the team for all the work they've been putting in.” Next Race: January 24 – Anaheim, California Results 450SX Class – San Diego 1. Eli Tomac (KTM) 2. Hunter Lawrence (Honda) 3. Ken Roczen (Suzuki) 7. Aaron Plessinger (KTM) 10. Malcolm Stewart (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing) 12. RJ Hampshire (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing) 13. Jorge Prado (KTM) Standings 450SX Class 2026 after 2 of 17 rounds 1. Eli Tomac, 50 points 2. Ken Roczen, 42 3. Hunter Lawrence, 40 8. Aaron Plessinger, 27 9. Jorge Prado, 26 15. RJ Hampshire, 14 16. Malcolm Stewart, 12 Results 250SX Class – San Diego 1. Haiden Deegan (Yamaha) 2. Cameron McAdoo (Kawasaki) 3. Michael Mosiman (Yamaha) 7. Ryder DiFrancesco (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing) Standings 250SX Class 2026 after 2 of 10 rounds 1. Haiden Deegan 43 points 2. Max Anstie, 42 3. Chance Hymas, 38 5. Ryder DiFrancesco, 35

Championship leader opens 40-point advantage after three rounds

New Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing recruit Ryder DiFrancesco delivered an exceptional third-place finish at Anaheim’s 2026 AMA Supercross Championship opener on Saturday night, racing to a first-career 250SX podium result after leading his share of laps in the Main Event. Western division standout DiFrancesco started the day strongly inside Angel Stadium, qualifying fourth during the afternoon session and dialing in his Husqvarna FC 250 Factory Edition to quickly find comfort in the technical, dry conditions. Lining up for the second Heat Race of the event, the 20-year-old recovered from a difficult start to climb to fifth position, continuing his early-season form to head directly into the Main Event. DiFrancesco was fast out of the gate in the Main Event, scoring an important holeshot and holding onto the lead through the opening stages of the race. In the end, the popular Californian would find himself on the 250SX podium for the first time in his young career with a well-earned third-place result. “Today was good!” reflected DiFrancesco. “All day, I just wanted to be on the board in each practice, then the Heat Race was just okay. In the Main Event, we got the holeshot, and then I just tried not to look back from there – I wanted to lead as many laps as I could, and tonight was a big learning step. We’d like to lead more laps next weekend, continue to build, and try to land on the podium like this each weekend to give us a good shot at the title. This cements the work we’ve done in the off-season – I’m ready for more, now.” In his first full Supercross season in the 450SX ranks, RJ Hampshire posted the 11th-fastest qualifying time in the afternoon at Anaheim 1, as he continues to build comfort and familiarity onboard the Husqvarna FC 450 Factory Edition in the tight confines of stadium competition. Hampshire managed to finish in eighth position following his Heat Race, before a costly fall in the whoop section early in the Main Event impacted his final result on the night. The focus now shifts to next weekend in San Diego for the former 250SX West title winner. “A1 was a challenge all day,” commented Hampshire. “I started out alright and was building throughout the day, but then in the Heat Race I unfortunately got tagged and went down. We aimed for an entry into the Main Event from there, which we were able to, and I was in a decent spot after the race restart once we got going in the Main. By the third or fourth lap in, I had a big one in the whoops, so that made for a tough night in the end. The main thing for Round 1 was building experience, getting some data for the bike to further develop a Supercross setting for me, and I think we’ll be much better from next weekend onwards.” Following a solid off-season, that momentum continued for 450SX challenger Malcolm Stewart and his Husqvarna FC 450 Factory Edition during the sold-out Anaheim 1 season-opener, where he powered to the fourth-fastest qualifying time leading into the night program. The experienced fan favorite then recorded sixth position in his Heat Race and had his sights set on a strong Main Event, however, Stewart's night would come to an abrupt end following a scary multi-rider incident on the opening lap. He sustained a left shoulder injury in the impact, with further updates on his status to be made once available. Next Race: January 17 – San Diego, California Results 450SX Class – Anaheim 1. Eli Tomac (KTM) 2. Ken Roczen (Suzuki) 3. Jorge Prado (KTM) 10. Aaron Plessinger (KTM) 18. RJ Hampshire (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing) 22. Malcolm Stewart (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing) Standings 450SX Class 2025 after 1 of 17 rounds 1. Eli Tomac, 25 points 2. Ken Roczen, 22 4. Jorge Prado, 17 10. Aaron Plessinger, 12 18. RJ Hampshire, 4 22. Malcolm Stewart, 0 Results 250SX Class – Anaheim 1. Max Anstie (Yamaha) 2. Chance Hymas (Honda) 3. Ryder DiFrancesco (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing) Standings 250SX Class 2025 after 1 of 10 rounds 1. Max Anstie, 25 points 2. Chance Hymas, 22 3. Ryder DiFrancesco, 20