Eyes on 2025 SuperMotocross

Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Ryder DiFrancesco has claimed a hard-fought second-place finish in the 2026 250SMX World Championship standings, concluding a breakout season at Thunder Ridge Nature Arena in Missouri. Entering the final round just three points out of the points lead, DiFrancesco recorded the fourth-fastest qualifying time, setting the 21-year-old up well for the two upcoming motos where triple points were on offer. Beginning Moto 1 in seventh, DiFrancesco and his Husqvarna FC 250 Factory Edition delivered a spirited ride across the 17-lap outing, climbing to third by race’s end and carrying a strong result into Moto 2, which would ultimately decide the championship. Starting outside the top-15 in race two, the Californian had his work cut out for him as rain began to fall, powering his way as high as ninth before finishing 10th and securing second overall in the 250SMX standings. DiFrancesco experienced a breakout season with Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing in 2026, capturing fourth overall in the 250SX Western Divisional Championship and fifth in the 250MX standings – results that were highlighted by multiple podium appearances. Tonight’s 250SMX World Championship result for DiFrancesco marks a fitting end for the Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing organization, with the long-standing team formally concluding its SuperMotocross World Championship program on the series podium together for one final occasion. “[The title] was at my fingertips there, but I didn’t execute the start very well,” commented DiFrancesco. “I left it all out there and I am satisfied with how this championship went – I felt like I rode really well and gave myself a title shot. I went from barely making top-fives to eight podiums this year, so there’s a lot to be happy about. Thanks to everybody who helped to make it happen this season!” Fellow 250SMX front-runner Daxton Bennick was 10th-fastest on the combined timesheets in Missouri before charging to a 10th-place finish in Moto 1. He improved to sixth in race two amid tricky conditions, posting seventh overall in the 250SMX standings after a solid 2026. Bennick’s season was highlighted by third in the 250SX East standings – which included two podium results along the way – alongside a moto win and second-place finish overall in the mud at SMX Playoff 1 in Columbus, Ohio. "We have had a lot of positives this year," Bennick recalled. "Tonight didn't go to plan, but we did improve in the second moto and it was a solid end to the season. I'm grateful for the opportunity and everybody around me." In the premier 450SMX category, RJ Hampshire – the team's 2024 250SX West Champion – recorded the fifth-fastest qualifying time, backing it up with a consistent sixth-place finish in Moto 1 aboard his Husqvarna FC 450 Factory Edition. He repeated the result in Moto 2 to claim sixth overall for the round and seventh in the series. "We've had a lot of good times with this team over the years – they've been like family to me," Hampshire said. "This weekend was an awesome way to finish the playoffs, a real SMX track, and it was a consistent night of results on my end. Thank you to everybody who has been behind us at Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing, there are a lot of memories we have made together as a team, and I'm thankful for the years together." Also equipped with the Husqvarna FC 450 Factory Edition, Malcolm Stewart qualified eighth and showed competitive pace in Moto 1, posting a measured eighth-place result. The likeable Floridian followed that with 14th in race two, securing ninth overall for both the round and in the 450SMX post-season standings. "Ninth overall for the weekend and the series," explained Stewart. "It was a lot of fun, the track here at Thunder Ridge, and the whole place is super-cool – to have the SMX Final at this location is something we will remember for a long time to come! We've had our ups and some downs this season, but overall, I'm really happy with my time with this team and I'm proud of the success we have shared along the way." Results 450SMX Class – SMX Final 1. Haiden Deegan (Yamaha) 2. Jorge Prado (KTM) 3. Hunter Lawrence (Honda) 6. RJ Hampshire (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing) 9. Malcolm Stewart (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing) 10. Aaron Plessinger (KTM) 12. Eli Tomac (KTM) Standings 450SMX Class 2026 1. Jorge Prado, 158 points 2. Haiden Deegan, 151 3. Hunter Lawrence, 136 7. RJ Hampshire, 99 9. Malcolm Stewart, 83 10. Aaron Plessinger, 80 11. Eli Tomac, 78 Results 250SMX Class – SMX Final 1. Cole Davies (Yamaha) 2. Levi Kitchen (Kawasaki) 3. Landen Gordon (Yamaha) 6. Julien Beaumer (KTM) 7. Ryder DiFrancesco (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing) 8. Daxton Bennick (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing) Standings 250SMX Class 2026 1. Levi Kitchen, 153 points 2. Ryder DiFrancesco, 129 3. Cole Davies, 128 4. Julien Beaumer, 119 7. Daxton Bennick, 98

Husqvarna Factory Racing star prioritises recovery ahead of the remaining 2026 Hard Enduro season

Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Ryder DiFrancesco secured second overall at SMX Playoff 2 in Los Angeles tonight, closing to within three points of the 250SMX points-lead with one round remaining in the 2026 SMX World Championship post-season. Entering Dignity Health Sports Park off the back of a podium in Columbus last weekend, DiFrancesco and his Husqvarna FC 250 Factory Edition continued that momentum in LA by setting the second-quickest lap in qualifying with a 51.574s. The 21-year-old Californian then scored a solid P2 result in Moto 1, before a top-three start in race two was undone when DiFrancesco was caught up in another rider’s incident. He surged back through the pack during the remainder of the race to claim fifth, taking P2 overall and closing to within three points of the red plate entering next weekend’s triple-points finale in Missouri. “Los Angeles was one of my best weekends as a professional, I'd say," commented DiFrancesco. “Today was really solid. Moto 1 was a lot of fun, and being able to separate yourself from the rest of the field like that is cool. I made up some good points in the championship too. And Moto 2, again, was one of the best rides of my career, to salvage those points, click off a lot of riders, and give myself a real shot in Missouri." After finishing second overall at Playoff 1, 250SMX teammate Daxton Bennick delivered an impressive comeback ride in Moto 1, powering his Husqvarna FC 250 Factory Edition from 16th off the start to ninth at the finish. He followed that with 12th in Moto 2 for 11th overall, and he sits fifth in the 250SMX standings with one round remaining. “I struggled a bit on my starts here at Playoff 2,” explained Bennick. “Things weren't as consistent as I needed them to be, which had me coming through the pack in both motos – the first one to ninth, and then 12th in Moto 2. I'm not stoked on it, but we are fifth in points, and that gives us a good chance at the final round as it's triple points." Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing 450SMX contender RJ Hampshire qualified eighth on the combined 450SMX timesheets, before achieving a measured 9-6 scorecard for sixth overall and rising to eighth in the standings following the double-points round. "Playoff 2 in LA was decent overall," said Hampshire. "I felt pretty good on the bike all day – I had good speed – and in Moto 1 I got off to a solid start, but made a mistake and lost the front. We picked it up, and after that I felt the best I have on a 450 inside a stadium, and I salvaged what I could. Moto 2 [was] nothing too special, we just got a decent start and put our laps in to finish sixth overall. I'm feeling good for this last round, so we'll look to end it on a good note." 450SMX teammate Malcolm Stewart qualified in 10th position, also delivering a consistent haul of results across the two-moto format to finish eighth overall and make up ground in the championship standings, where he now sits 12th. "LA was completely opposite, conditions-wise, to last weekend," began Stewart. "We kept it on two wheels across the day and ended up eighth overall, which was decent. The fans were great, and I'm really looking forward to the season-finale in Missouri next weekend – it'll be bittersweet, but we'll have fun for the last one together." Rockstar Energy Husqvarna amateur talent Landon Gibson contested the SMX Next World All-Stars category in Los Angeles, claiming fifth place aboard his Husqvarna FC 250 Factory Edition. His combined results across the two rounds saw him finish third overall in the series. Next Race: September 26 – Ridgedale, Missouri Results 450SMX Class – SMX Playoff 2 1. Jorge Prado (KTM) 2. Hunter Lawrence (Honda) 3. Ken Roczen (Suzuki) 6. RJ Hampshire (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing) 8. Malcolm Stewart (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing) 9. Eli Tomac (KTM) 11. Aaron Plessinger (KTM) Standings 450SMX Class 2026 after Playoff 2 1. Jorge Prado, 92 points 2. Haiden Deegan, 76 3. Hunter Lawrence, 76 8. RJ Hampshire, 51 9. Eli Tomac, 48 11. Aaron Plessinger, 44 12. Malcolm Stewart, 44 Results 250SMX Class – SMX Playoff 2 1. Julien Beaumer (KTM) 2. Ryder DiFrancesco (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing) 3. Levi Kitchen (Kawasaki) 11. Daxton Bennick (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing) Standings 250SMX Class 2026 after Playoff 2 1. Levi Kitchen, 87 points 2. Ryder DiFrancesco, 84 3. Julien Beaumer, 71 5. Daxton Bennick, 56