Ryder DiFrancesco secured second place in the 2026 250SMX World Championship standings as Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing concluded its SuperMotocross World Championship programme at Thunder Ridge Nature Arena in Missouri.
The 21-year-old Californian entered the final round just three points behind the championship leader, qualifying fourth and setting up a dramatic finale where triple points were on offer across two motos.
DiFrancesco delivered a spirited ride in Moto 1, climbing from seventh at the start to third by the chequered flag aboard his Husqvarna FC 250 Factory Edition. However, a difficult start in Moto 2 left him outside the top 15 as rain began to fall, and despite fighting back to ninth before finishing 10th, the championship slipped from his grasp.
“[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.”
The result marked a fitting conclusion for the long-standing Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing organisation, which formally ended its SuperMotocross World Championship program on the series podium. DiFrancesco’s breakout season included fourth overall in the 250SX Western Divisional Championship and fifth in the 250MX standings.
Teammate Daxton Bennick finished seventh overall in the 250SMX standings after posting 10th in Moto 1 and sixth in the challenging second moto. His season highlights included third in the 250SX East standings with two podium results, plus a moto win and second overall in muddy conditions at SMX Playoff 1 in Columbus, Ohio.
In the premier 450SMX category, RJ Hampshire – the team’s 2024 250SX West Champion – qualified fifth and delivered consistent sixth-place finishes in both motos 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 reflected.
Malcolm Stewart qualified eighth and posted eighth in Moto 1 before finishing 14th in race two, securing ninth overall for both the round and in the 450SMX post-season standings. “It was a lot of fun, the track here at Thunder Ridge, and the whole place is super-cool,” the Floridian said.
Levi Kitchen claimed the 250SMX title with 153 points, 24 clear of DiFrancesco, whilst Jorge Prado topped the 450SMX standings with 158 points ahead of Haiden Deegan on 151.
Photo: Husqvarna Media
