Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/1541594
Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing SMX Team Announced T he Rockstar Energy Husqvar- na Factory Racing Team officially announced its five-rider roster for the 2026 SuperMoto- cross season. The team will be led by 450-class teammates Mal- colm Stewart and RJ Hampshire, and its 250 team will be made up of Ryder DiFrancesco, Casey Cochran and Daxton Bennick. "It's really, really exciting to be back with Rockstar Energy Husqvarna for 2026," Stewart said. "I feel like for myself, it's been a career year. These guys are awesome to work with, and I'm just really glad that we came to a mutual agreement to renew the deal into the new year. I can't wait to make more memories with this team down the road, so I'm already getting ready for A1 and hopefully for another strong year together." Stewart and Hampshire will both be on board the latest Husqvarna FC 450 Factory Edi - tion, while DiFrancesco, Cochran and Bennick will be equipped with the latest Husqvarna FC 250 Factory Edition machines. All five riders will contest the entire 28 regular-season races of the in- door stadium season of AMA Su- percross and the outdoor season of Pro Motocross, culminating in the post-season SMX Playoffs and World Championship final. Hampshire said, "It will be my first time racing Supercross on the 450, so it's a new chapter in my career and kind of like another fresh start for me." DiFrancesco returns for another term, while Cochran is returning to the team and Ben - WIND IN THE P30 nick is new to the team. "I'm super-stoked to be back on Rockstar Energy Husqvarna for 2026," Cochran said. "It's great to be back with the team and with a lot of familiar faces, so I'm looking forward to the upcoming season." "I really like the bike so far, and I'm enjoying the new team," Bennick said. "It's all going re - ally well. I'm happy with every- thing, and I'm super-excited to learn as a team and keep improving together." "I'm feeling confident about our lineup of riders for 2026," said Nathan Ramsey, Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing team manager. "With Malcolm and RJ on the FC 450 Factory Editions leading the group, I have high hopes for what they are capable of in that championship fight. Then you throw in the young 250 riders, who are full of potential for long, successful careers with the team, and I couldn't be more excited for 2026. Ryder, Casey and Dax are more than capable of being consistent podium guys who can battle for race wins and ultimately become championship contenders. With all that being said, it will be a quick off-season, and it is cru - cial that we hit our marks to be mentally, physically and techni- cally ready to make a big splash in 2026." CN (L-R) Ryder DiFrancesco, Daxton Bennick and Casey Cochran will make up the Rockstar Energy Husqvarna's 250cc SuperMotocross team.