Release from 08.02.2026
Result elevates him to third position in Western Division standings at halfway point
DiFrancesco displayed exceptional pace from the outset on the sprawling State Farm Stadium layout, qualifying fifth on combined times aboard his Husqvarna FC 250 Factory Edition ahead of the night program.
The 20-year-old was up-front early in 250SX Heat 2 before a fall in the challenging sand section dropped him toward the rear of the field. However, the Californian would mount an impressive recovery ride, climbing through the pack to secure a hard-fought eighth-place finish and a direct transfer to the Main Event.
A solid start and Main Event performance saw DiFrancesco run inside the top-three throughout the opening stages, before ultimately earning a consistent fifth-place result, taking valuable championship points and climbing to third in the championship entering Seattle next weekend.
“Glendale was good,” recalled DiFrancesco. “I started off the day really fast in qualifying and then ended up going down in the Heat Race, but managed to fight my way back to eighth. That gave me a bad gate pick, but I positioned myself really well, actually, to start the Main Event. I ran third for a while, and lost a couple of places from there, so we have some work that needs doing between now and the next one, but I like the ruts and I like Seattle. We'll make some tweaks and come out swinging next weekend!”
For 450SX contender Malcolm Stewart, the Floridian endured a difficult outing at the fifth round of the 2026 SMX World Championship, finishing seventh in Heat 2 onboard his Husqvarna FC 450 Factory Edition. A pair of untimely crashes during the Main Event ultimately forced the 33-year-old to retire in the latter stages of the race, bringing an early end to his night inside State Farm Stadium.
Premier class teammate RJ Hampshire did not line up for the night program at the fifth round after coming down with illness in the days leading up to the race weekend. The 30-year-old briefly took to the track during qualifying, however, the decision was collectively made to withdraw from the remainder of Glendale and focus on a full recovery ahead of Seattle.
Next Race: February 14 – Seattle, Washington
Results 450SX Class – Glendale
1. Ken Roczen (Suzuki)
2. Hunter Lawrence (Honda)
3. Cooper Webb (Yamaha)
5. Jorge Prado (KTM)
8. Aaron Plessinger (KTM)
10. Justin Hill (KTM)
12. Eli Tomac (KTM)
22. Malcolm Stewart (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing)
Standings 450SX Class 2026 after 5 of 17 rounds
1. Hunter Lawrence, 106 points
2. Ken Roczen, 101
3. Eli Tomac, 98
7. Jorge Prado, 73
11. Aaron Plessinger, 50
13. Justin Hill, 40
14. RJ Hampshire, 38
15. Malcolm Stewart, 36
Results 250SX Class – Glendale
1. Haiden Deegan (Yamaha)
2. Levi Kitchen (Kawasaki)
3. Cameron McAdoo (Kawasaki)
5. Ryder DiFrancesco (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing)
Standings 250SX Class 2026 after 5 of 10 rounds
1. Haiden Deegan 118 points
2. Michael Mosiman, 91
3. Ryder DiFrancesco, 89