Release from 25.01.2026
Valuable 450SX points claimed by RJ Hampshire and Malcolm Stewart in Round 3
DiFrancesco began the day in positive fashion on the technical and rutted track layout in a continuation of his early SMX World Championship form, qualifying fourth on combined times and quickly dialing in his Husqvarna FC 250 Factory Edition ahead of the night program.
The 20-year-old remained competitive in his Heat Race, racing to a second-place result in front of his home fans in Southern California to secure a strong gate selection and a direct transfer into the Main Event.
Starting just outside the top-five, DiFrancesco delivered an inspired performance throughout the Main Event, unwavering in his pursuit of the 250SX podium. A late-race pass for third place earned him a P3 finish and a valuable points haul toward the championship, in which he now sits fourth overall following a second podium of the year.
“I’m really happy with my A2 result and how I charged through the Main Event,” reflected DiFrancesco. “I started around eighth and worked my way up to third place, which is a confidence-booster in being able to climb from the mid-field. I found some good lines tonight while I was coming through the pack and I knew that if I could be there toward the end of the race – and nail the three, three, after the whoops – that I could get close and make a pass for the podium. I'm glad that I proved to myself that I can start mid-pack and still land on the box, and now I'm ready for the Triple Crown next weekend!"
Full-time 450SX newcomer RJ Hampshire showed pace from the outset at A2, powering his Husqvarna FC 450 Factory Edition to third position in 450SX qualifying with a 1:00.496 lap-time, before backing it up with a consistent sixth-place result in his Heat Race after charging to the holeshot.
The Floridian described Anaheim 2 as a significant step forward from the opening two rounds, battling inside the top-10 throughout the Main Event and ultimately claiming a hard-fought ninth-place finish, along with important experience in his maiden premier class campaign.
“A2 was a massive step forward,” commented Hampshire. “I had my best qualifying in P3. The team has been working really hard to get me comfortable, and I think we have found something now, which we just need to keep getting familiar with. My starts were great today – both of them – my Heat Race wasn't an ideal finish after holeshotting, but I wasn't too down about that, because running up front is a big learning curve for me right now. I know I can get there, it's just about stacking these performances up, and a top-10 at Anaheim 2 is a good place to build from."
Still recovering from his Anaheim 1 incident, Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Stewart continued to push through the pain of a fractured scapula at A2, guiding his Husqvarna FC 450 Factory Edition to a fifth-place finish in his Heat Race.
In a gritty Main Event performance, the 33-year-old ran sixth through the opening stages of the race, before eventually crossing the finish-line in 12th position, banking a solid amount of championship points as the season progresses.
“I was feeling so-so at A2,” said Stewart. “We finished just outside the top-10, but we were well in the fight during the race – that group I was in was battling hard! It's a lot to ask for in the position that I am in, but all I can do is continue to keep building. I got off to a great start and put myself in the best position to hang in there, but the reality is that we're dealing with an injury, and we hung in there as long as we could. Mentally, I'm walking away with my head high, because it was good to race those guys and we'll continue to build from here."
Next Race: January 31 – Houston, Texas
Results 450SX Class – Anaheim 2
1. Chase Sexton (Kawasaki)
2. Hunter Lawrence (Honda)
3. Eli Tomac (KTM)
7. Jorge Prado (KTM)
9. RJ Hampshire (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing)
12. Malcolm Stewart (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing)
15. Justin Hill (KTM)
22. Aaron Plessinger (KTM)
Standings 450SX Class 2026 after 3 of 17 rounds
1. Eli Tomac, 70 points
2. Hunter Lawrence, 62
3. Chase Sexton, 57
9. Jorge Prado, 41
11. Aaron Plessinger, 27
12. RJ Hampshire, 27
15. Malcolm Stewart, 22
Results 250SX Class – Anaheim 2
1. Haiden Deegan (Yamaha)
2. Michael Mosiman (Yamaha)
3. Ryder DiFrancesco (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing)
Standings 250SX Class 2026 after 3 of 10 rounds
1. Haiden Deegan 68 points
2. Michael Mosiman, 59
3. Max Anstie, 58
4. Ryder DiFrancesco, 55