RJ Hampshire and Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing delivered a solid sixth-place finish in Round 2 of the Pro Motocross Championship at Hangtown on Saturday, with the result elevating him to fourth in the 450MX standings. Equipped with his Husqvarna FC 450 Factory Edition, Hampshire posted the sixth-fastest qualifying time during the morning sessions at the Northern Californian venue, before achieving a hard-fought fifth-place finish in Moto 1 after a spirited charge forward. The 30-year-old started outside the top 10 in Moto 2, although again he was unrelenting in his climb through the pack as he completed the race in sixth place, with his combined score earning him sixth overall, and sees him ranked P4 in the standings after two rounds. "It was another solid weekend at Hangtown," commented Hampshire. "I was around that top-five for most of the day again – my second moto start was a little better, but still, I need to start further toward the front. I was battling all day long, ate a lot of roost, but it's a solid start to the season with four good motos. I'm looking forward to Colorado next weekend and then heading east, because I think we have a lot more still to give." California native Ryder DiFrancesco qualified second in the 250MX division onboard his Husqvarna FC 250 Factory Edition with a 1:52.871 lap-time, but a difficult start in Moto 1 saw him finish in 12th position. He rebounded with an eighth-place finish in Moto 2, with the combined results earning him 11th overall for the round. Following two rounds of Pro Motocross competition, DiFrancesco sits 10th in the 250MX standings as the series heads to Thunder Valley in Colorado next weekend. "Qualifying was really good at Hangtown," said DiFrancesco. "I was first in the first session and then second overall. First start led me to be in the back the whole time fighting to come forward, and I spent some energy doing that. Then I dodged a bullet by missing the first turn pile-up in Moto 2, but I still need to be up front. I'm capable of winning and taking podiums every weekend, but I can't be starting from the back." 250MX teammate Daxton Bennick finished 13th in Moto 1 aboard his Husqvarna FC 250 Factory Edition, but was caught up in the multi-rider first-turn incident at the start of Moto 2 and ultimately withdrew from the race. Also representing Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing in the 250MX Class was Casey Cochran, who qualified 12th fastest before recording a 15th-place finish in Moto 1. Cochran was also ruled out of Moto 2 after becoming caught up in the costly crash at the first corner. Next Race: June 13 – Thunder Valley, Colorado Results 450MX Class – Hangtown National 1. Jett Lawrence (Honda) 2. Hunter Lawrence (Honda) 3. Haiden Deegan (Yamaha) 6. RJ Hampshire (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing) 16. Aaron Plessinger (KTM) 17. Jorge Prado (KTM) Standings 450MX Class 2026 after 2 of 11 rounds 1. Hunter Lawrence, 94 points 2. Jett Lawrence, 88 3. Haiden Deegan, 75 4. RJ Hampshire, 63 7. Jorge Prado, 53 13. Aaron Plessinger, 37 22. Malcolm Stewart, 10 Results 250MX Class – Hangtown National 1. Levi Kitchen (Kawasaki) 2. Julien Beaumer (KTM) 3. Seth Hammaker (Kawasaki) 11. Ryder DiFrancesco (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing) 16. Daxton Bennick (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing) 19. Casey Cochran (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing) Standings 250MX Class 2026 after 2 of 11 rounds 1. Seth Hammaker, 85 points 2. Levi Kitchen, 78 3. Julien Beaumer, 71 10. Ryder DiFrancesco, 47 14. Daxton Bennick, 24 22. Casey Cochran, 12
Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing's Malcolm Stewart will miss the upcoming rounds of the 2026 AMA Pro Motocross Championship after injuring his knee in 450MX Moto 2 at Fox Raceway. Stewart, who is currently ranked eighth overall in the SMX World Championship, finished 12th in Moto 1 at last weekend's season-opening round. After dabbing his leg in the early stages of Moto 2, Stewart opted to exit the race as a precaution, and it was discovered this week upon further evaluation that his knee was unfortunately impacted in the incident. An intensive rehabilitation program is scheduled over the coming weeks to ensure Malcolm will be able to regain complete fitness. "Unfortunately, Malcolm dabbed his knee in the second moto at Pala this last weekend," commented Nathan Ramsey, Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing Team Manager. "Luckily, there is no major damage, so he will rehab for a couple of weeks and be back as soon as possible." Pending his recovery, Stewart and the Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing team have tentatively targeted RedBud as a potential return date on the weekend of July 4, marking Round 5 of the 2026 AMA Pro Motocross Championship.