RJ Hampshire and Ryder DiFrancesco finish Pro Motocross season on the podium

Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing teammates RJ Hampshire and Ryder DiFrancesco both delivered podium results with Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing at the 2026 Pro Motocross Championship season finale on Saturday, with Hampshire finishing second in 450MX and DiFrancesco third in 250MX at the Ironman National.

Hampshire continued his impressive late-season form in 450MX qualifying on board the Husqvarna FC 450 Factory Edition, setting the fifth-fastest time on the combined timesheets with a 2:10.249 to establish a positive direction for the day.

The 30-year-old launched to a strong start in Moto 1, completing the opening lap in P3, before advancing throughout the race to secure a solid P2 finish. A measured sixth-place result in Moto 2 saw Hampshire take home second overall and claim fifth in the final 450MX standings.

“It’s awesome to get a podium!” said Hampshire. “Congrats to Hunter and the Lawrences on the championship. As for me, it was just a super-solid day. I didn’t do anything special – I got decent starts, and I have to say a huge thanks to my whole Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing team. We’ve had a great run together and I’m looking forward to finishing these SMX rounds strong.”

Also aboard the Husqvarna FC 450 Factory Edition, Malcolm Stewart finished 12th in Moto 1 after running as high as sixth during the early stages, while a non-finish in the second moto saw him credited 16th overall. A knee injury sustained at the Fox Raceway opener sidelined Stewart for the following eight rounds, before he returned for the final three outdoors.

"Ironman's always a good track and a nice place to visit – the fans were awesome today!" said Stewart. "I feel like we had some good speed in Moto 1, running well inside the top-10 there for some time, which was a confidence boost for me after returning to racing late in the season." 

Equipped with the Husqvarna FC 250 Factory Edition, DiFrancesco set the fourth-fastest time during the morning sessions with a 2:10.810 lap, before an impressive recovery ride from 28th on Lap 1 saw him climb to seventh by the conclusion of Moto 1.

Another rapid charge through the field in Moto 2 saw Ryder D climb from 10th to third, with his 7-3 scorecard earning him P3 overall for the weekend. Five top-five finishes, including podiums at RedBud, Washougal and Ironman, helped him complete the 250MX season in fifth overall.

"The finale was solid!" commented DiFrancesco. "Both qualifying sessions were good, and I literally came from the back to seventh in the first moto, which was a nice ride, although I'm still frustrated as I feel like I'm leaving a little bit on the table. I think I'll get off the gate well in SMX though and really show what we can do there. But it was a solid day in third overall, and now looking forward to these last three – I feel like we are in with a good shot at it." 

250MX teammate Daxton Bennick powered his Husqvarna FC 250 Factory Edition to a top-five start in Moto 1, maintaining strong pace throughout the race to claim fourth at the finish. A tough second moto had Bennick further back in 16th, with his 4-16 scorecard earning 11th overall.

"Ironman had its ups and downs," reflected Bennick. "I got off to a good start in Moto 1 and was able to climb up to fourth there, which was a solid result, and then Moto 2 was a bit of a struggle. We'll take the positives into the one-week break and look forward to the SMX rounds."

Rockstar Energy Husqvarna amateur prospect Landon Gibson returned to the SMX Next division for the final round of the Pro Motocross season, posting a 5-1 scorecard for second overall at the Ironman National on Friday.

The upcoming 2026 SuperMotocross World Championship (SMX) post-season will get underway with Playoff 1 at Historic Crew Stadium in Columbus, Ohio, on September 12.

Results 450MX Class – Ironman National

1. Jorge Prado (KTM)

2. RJ Hampshire (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing)

3. Cooper Webb (Yamaha)

5. Eli Tomac (KTM)

8. Aaron Plessinger (KTM)

16. Malcolm Stewart (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing)

Standings 450MX Class 2026 after 11 of 11 rounds

1. Hunter Lawrence, 474 points

2. Jett Lawrence, 472

3. Haiden Deegan, 404

4. Jorge Prado, 401

5. RJ Hampshire, 346

12. Aaron Plessinger, 159

14. Eli Tomac, 121

25. Lucas Coenen, 44

27. Malcolm Stewart, 41

Results 250MX Class – Ironman National

1. Julien Beaumer (KTM)

2. Chance Hymas (Honda)

3. Ryder DiFrancesco (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing)

11. Daxton Bennick (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing)

Standings 250MX Class 2026 after 11 of 11 rounds

1. Cole Davies, 407 points

2. Julien Beaumer, 369

3. Levi Kitchen, 364

5. Ryder DiFrancesco, 326

15. Casey Cochran, 146

16. Daxton Bennick, 142

21. Sacha Coenen, 83