Ryder DiFrancesco and Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing achieved a solid fifth-place finish at Round 12 of the 2026 AMA Supercross Championship in St. Louis on Saturday night, as Daxton Bennick claimed sixth in the second 250SX East/West Showdown of the season. The 12th round of the SMX World Championship marked the St. Jude Love Moto Stop Cancer race, with Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing featuring unique liveries in support of the initiative. Both 250SX riders Bennick and DiFrancesco were in action in Missouri for the second Showdown event of the year, with Bennick qualifying fifth overall on combined times, as DiFrancesco set the 12th-fastest time. Equipped with the Husqvarna FC 250 Factory Edition, DiFrancesco then powered to a P5 result in the 250SX West Heat Race, setting his night up well for the upcoming East/West Showdown Main Event. Starting in 10th position, 20-year-old DiFrancesco pieced together a strong performance throughout the entire 15-minute plus one-lap Main Event, charging up to fifth place in what was an impressive ride in challenging track conditions. With only two rounds of the Western Division left to contest, Ryder D sits fourth in the standings – three points behind third place – as the series resumes at Denver’s Empower Field at Mile High on May 2. "I didn't actually feel super-comfortable starting the day in St. Louis," reflected DiFrancesco. "Then, I got better throughout the day – my second qualifying session was improved, and the Heat Race progressed better as it went on. In the Main Event, I didn't get the best start in 10th, but fought my way to fifth while feeling pretty good out there in the challenging conditions. If we start up front and have some clean air, I think we'll do well, so I'm looking forward to both Denver and Salt Lake." For Bennick, he was involved in an early incident during his Heat Race, which ultimately sent him to the Last Chance Qualifier (LCQ). He recovered to claim victory in the LCQ and lined up prepared to battle in the Main Event. He launched to a start just outside the top 10, also posting a significant charge through the East/West Showdown field, surging all the way to sixth by the time the checkered flag flew. Bennick climbs to third in the 250SX East standings after his St. Louis result, entering next weekend’s Nashville round. "St. Louis was alright for me," commented Bennick. "Qualifying was pretty good – we were P5 overall – and then unfortunately someone tagged me in the Heat Race, which sent me to the LCQ. I did the best I could in the Main Event from the outside gate, fought through the field, and although I made a couple of little mistakes, we were able to salvage a sixth. It's not exactly what I want, so we'll be looking for more in Nashville." Stewart was third on the combined 450SX qualifying timesheets on the technical St. Louis track layout, recording a 55.343s lap-time onboard his Husqvarna FC 450 Factory Edition. That form continued his momentum following a podium finish at the previous round. The 33-year-old carried that speed into his Heat Race, claiming another well-earned P3 result and a strong gate selection for the Main Event. Stewart started inside the top 10 as the gates dropped and battled for position throughout, securing a well-earned P8 on a track that had become increasingly demanding by night’s end. He also sits eighth in the 450SX standings. "Normally, St. Louis dirt is really good, but it felt like this year was one of the hardest visits here that I have had in my whole career," said Stewart. "This was super-tough, so overall I'm happy to make it out safe, and now we can look forward to next weekend. I felt great here all day, but the track broke down a lot after the Heat Race, which made for a long night – I'm pumped to take this thing on to Nashville." Next Race: April 11 – Nashville, Tennessee Results 450SX Class – St. Louis 1. Ken Roczen (Suzuki) 2. Justin Cooper (Yamaha) 3. Hunter Lawrence (Honda) 4. Jorge Prado (KTM) 6. Eli Tomac (KTM) 8. Malcolm Stewart (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing) 14. Justin Hill (KTM) 16. Grant Harlan (KTM) 19. Kevin Moranz (KTM) Standings 450SX Class 2026 after 12 of 17 rounds 1. Eli Tomac, 245 points 2. Hunter Lawrence, 245 3. Ken Roczen, 240 8. Malcolm Stewart, 141 9. Jorge Prado, 131 13. Aaron Plessinger, 99 21. RJ Hampshire, 38 Results 250SX East/West Showdown – St. Louis 1. Haiden Deegan (Yamaha) 2. Cole Davies (Yamaha) 3. Seth Hammaker (Kawasaki) 5. Ryder DiFrancesco (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing) 6. Daxton Bennick (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing) Standings 250SX East Class 2026 after 6 of 10 rounds 1. Cole Davies, 136 2. Seth Hammaker, 125 3. Daxton Bennick, 103 Standings 250SX West Class 2026 after 8 of 10 rounds 1. Haiden Deegan, 190 2. Levi Kitchen, 133 3. Max Anstie, 130 4. Ryder DiFrancesco, 108

Malcolm Stewart and Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing earned an impressive third-place result at Round 11 of the AMA Supercross Championship in Detroit tonight, marking his first 450SX podium finish of the 2026 season. Stewart recorded the third-fastest time in 450SX qualifying with a 51.894s lap, quickly finding comfort aboard his Husqvarna FC 450 Factory Edition and converting that pace into a P4 finish in 450SX Heat 2. Completing the opening lap of the Main Event in fifth position, the 33-year-old maintained a consistent pace throughout the race, successfully negotiating the technical, deteriorating race-track to secure his first podium of the year. Stewart retains eighth in the 450SX Championship standings with six rounds remaining. “It’s been tough after we had that unfortunate situation in Anaheim to start the season,” reflected Stewart. “After that, I was like, ‘I don’t know if I am going to get on the podium,’ and that’s just part of not believing in yourself. But I had to pull myself out of that and I want to give it up to Nathan Ramsey and the team – they’ve been in my ear all year long saying, ‘Hey, you can do this!’ So, a huge shoutout to the whole Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing team, and just everyone who is behind me... I’m stoked with this result! The track was really tough tonight and it could bite you if you weren't paying attention. I had a lot of trust in my motorcycle, which made a huge difference, and having now popped some champagne again, we want more." Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing 250SX East teammates Daxton Bennick and Casey Cochran were both in action at Detroit, with Cochran making his first start of the 2026 SMX World Championship following a pre-season collarbone injury. Equipped with the Husqvarna FC 250 Factory Edition, the pair each recorded P5 finishes in their respective Heat Races, securing direct transfer positions to the Main Event inside Ford Field. Bennick went on to claim sixth in the Main Event, rebounding from a slow start and mid-race incident, which sees him maintain fourth position in the 250SX Eastern Division standings entering next weekend’s 250SX East/West Showdown in St. Louis. “It was a rough day, all day, honestly,” Bennick reflected. “I didn't really ride like myself and didn't do anything great, so was never really able to turn it around. I was just off all day, but we'll go back to work this week. It was frustrating, although we've had really good rides so far this year because my speed is good and so is my training, so we'll get back to how I know I can ride and we should be fine." For Cochran, he started the Main Event outside the top 10, making early progress through the field before a crash ultimately forced him to retire at the halfway mark – he will undergo further evaluations this week. Still, he was excited to be back at the races with his Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing team. “The Heat Race and qualifying were decent in Detroit, for not having had too much time on the bike,” commented Cochran. “Then, unfortunately, I slid out in the Main Event and landed on my injured collarbone. We weren't able to finish the race, but we'll get it checked out – hopefully everything is all good – and we'll be back." Next Race: April 4 – St. Louis, Missouri Results 450SX Class – Detroit 1. Ken Roczen (Suzuki) 2. Chase Sexton (Kawasaki) 3. Malcolm Stewart (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing) 5. Eli Tomac (KTM) 13. Jorge Prado (KTM) Standings 450SX Class 2026 after 11 of 17 rounds 1. Eli Tomac, 229 points 2. Hunter Lawrence, 225 3. Ken Roczen, 215 8. Malcolm Stewart, 127 9. Jorge Prado, 113 12. Aaron Plessinger, 99 21. RJ Hampshire, 38 Results 250SX East – Detroit 1. Cole Davies (Yamaha) 2. Seth Hammaker (Kawasaki) 3. Jo Shimoda (Honda) 6. Daxton Bennick (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing) 20. Casey Cochran (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing) Standings 250SX East Class 2026 after 5 of 10 rounds 1. Cole Davies, 114 2. Seth Hammaker, 105 3. Jo Shimoda, 100 4. Daxton Bennick, 87 32. Casey Cochran, 2

Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Racing battled through bitter cold and treacherous mud in Switzerland, as Liam Everts returned to the MX2 podium and Kay de Wolf impressed again in MXGP.