Release from 16.08.2026
Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing riders back in action at Round 9 of the season
Aboard his Husqvarna FC 450 Factory Edition, Hampshire qualified eighth in 450MX, before battling inside the top-five for much of Moto 1. He ultimately took the checkered flag in P6, then backed it up with eighth in Moto 2 to claim fifth overall for the weekend.
With that result following two weekends off in Pro Motocross, Hampshire currently remains fifth in the 450MX standings with two rounds remaining in the outdoor series for 2026.
"It was an eventful weekend," said Hampshire. "I was riding well in the first moto and I felt good, before making a mistake there late and losing a position. Second moto, someone flinched off the gate, and I was pretty dang close to dead-last. I went down another two more times before putting in a heck of a charge to get me fifth overall. On a day where I wasn’t overly comfortable, we’ll take it."
450MX teammate Malcolm Stewart made his return to competition at Unadilla, having not contested a Pro Motocross round since the season-opener after sustaining a knee injury at Fox Raceway.
Equipped with his Husqvarna FC 450 Factory Edition, Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing rider Stewart recorded 23-16 moto finishes and will now look to build momentum across the final two rounds.
“Overall, we came to Unadilla with nothing but smiles,” commented Stewart. “This track can give you a reality check – everyone has been riding good all summer, so my first moto wasn’t the best showing, but I managed to find a little bit more form in race two. That’s racing when you try to jump back in with the guys, and we’ll look for improvements come Budds Creek.”
The Unadilla National saw DiFrancesco qualify sixth in the 250MX division aboard his Husqvarna FC 250 Factory Edition, setting a 2:16.887 lap-time as his impressive mid-season form continued.
The 21-year-old started Moto 1 in P10, before steadily working his way forward to fifth by the checkered flag. He backed it up with a convincing third in Moto 2 to secure fifth overall, further closing the gap to third in the 250MX championship standings with two rounds remaining.
“Unadilla was good – a solid day,” recalled DiFrancesco. “Every session I was out there, I was inside the top-five, and that’s where I belong. Going 5-3 for fifth overall is tough, but we’ll keep digging. We closed the gap to third in the points, so it was a positive day, and the last two tracks are usually really good for me.”
Also equipped with Husqvarna FC 250 Factory Edition machinery, Casey Cochran and Daxton Bennick displayed promising speed at Round 9. Cochran powered to the 250MX Moto 1 holeshot before suffering a heavy crash that brought his day to an early end. Unadilla also proved difficult for Bennick, who was credited 27th in Moto 1, before sitting out the second race.
Next Race: August 22 – Mechanicsville, Maryland
Results 450MX Class – Unadilla National
1. Jett Lawrence (Honda)
2. Jorge Prado (KTM)
3. Haiden Deegan (Yamaha)
5. RJ Hampshire (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing)
11. Eli Tomac (KTM)
20. Malcolm Stewart (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing)
40. Aaron Plessinger (KTM)
Standings 450MX Class 2026 after 9 of 11 rounds
1. Jett Lawrence, 402 points
2. Hunter Lawrence, 392
3. Haiden Deegan, 336
4. Jorge Prado, 311
5. RJ Hampshire, 282
14. Aaron Plessinger, 102
19. Eli Tomac, 62
22. Lucas Coenen, 44
33. Malcolm Stewart, 16
Results 250MX Class – Unadilla National
1. Cole Davies (Yamaha)
2. Levi Kitchen (Kawasaki)
3. Chance Hymas (Honda)
5. Ryder DiFrancesco (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing)
10. Julien Beaumer (KTM)
37. Daxton Bennick (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing)
42. Casey Cochran (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing)
Standings 250MX Class 2026 after 9 of 11 rounds
1. Levi Kitchen, 334 points
2. Cole Davies, 333
3. Julien Beaumer, 290
4. Ryder DiFrancesco, 275
10. Casey Cochran, 146
18. Daxton Bennick, 94
20. Sacha Coenen, 83