The added significance for RJ Hampshire outdoors
Competition Post: Kane Taylor
450MX rider fighting for his future throughout Pro Motocross 2026.
For RJ Hampshire, there is added significance attached to these early stages of Pro Motocross 2026 after missing much of the 450SX season, and with his longtime home at Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing set to cease operations at season’s end.
It was less than a year ago that Hampshire completed an impressive rookie 450MX campaign, finishing fifth in the championship and earning a career-best second overall at the Ironman National courtesy of a 3-4 scorecard. That form also extended into the SMX post-season, where he achieved 5-6-6 finishes in 450SMX.
Since then, however, two major developments have impacted his standing in the premier class. The first was a fractured foot sustained before Seattle that sidelined him for the majority of Monster Energy Supercross, while the second was the surprise announcement that Rockstar Energy Husqvarna would close its doors following 2026.
As a result, the 30-year-old entered this summer at something of a crossroads, with his Pro Motocross results likely to play a major role in shaping the next chapter of a career that spans 12 seasons. He has offers on the table, but instead, Hampshire is electing to back himself in a bid to see what more surfaces.
“Man, [I] just pray about it, really,” Hampshire commented when asked about his future. “Like, that’s all I do, and if I land a factory ride, great – if I don’t, we’ll figure it out. So, yeah, I trust that whatever happens is what’s meant to be, so we’ll see.
Image: Octopi Media.
“I mean, I had a couple of offers that I haven’t signed yet. Not because I don’t want to, but just because I think I’ve got more to offer than what they were giving me. So, yeah, man, I don’t know – we’ll see. I’ve got a lot, as I said, I’ve got a lot left in me.
“I don’t want to do something that I’m not going to be competitive on. I want to be on competitive equipment because I haven’t given myself a full chance yet. So, yeah, I don’t know. I’m excited for a new chapter, but also bummed to be leaving here.
“I really wanted to finish my career here in this group that I get to work with week in and week out – they’re like family to me now. It sucks, but I think there’s growth coming from this in the long run, so we’ll see what the next chapter looks like.”
Hampshire has so far been linked to an assortment of teams – think Monster Energy Kawasaki, ClubMX Yamaha, Quad Lock Honda, Twisted Tea Suzuki, and even the Liqui Moly Beta Factory Racing team if we’re going to name a bunch – although nothing concrete has emerged to suggest a clear destination for 2027.
The Floridian flew under the radar entering Fox Raceway, as did much of the 450MX field amid attention surrounding the clash of titans between Jett Lawrence and Haiden Deegan. That didn’t concern Hampshire, however, as he pieced together a solid opening round with 6-7 moto finishes for seventh overall, while featuring inside the top four during the second moto.
“I wasn’t talked about at all [entering round one] and I didn’t really expect to be,” he added. “I mean, the last time you saw me, I was dying from a sickness in Arizona… But I’ve got a lot to offer, still. Still a lot to give, and I know that wasn’t close to my best, what I had today. I definitely can climb the ladder a little bit more and just continue to improve.
“We’ve got more in there, so we’ll take it back home this week. And I’m motivated, man – I’m enjoying myself and I have a good thing going right now. So we’ll take it into Hangtown, and I look forward to being better.”
As for the specifics, Hampshire explained that Pala highlighted a number of areas for improvement, both with his Husqvarna FC 450 Factory Edition and his own riding. Those are aspects that he and the team will continue refining ahead of this weekend’s Hangtown National. He finished seventh there last year, a result that marked the beginning of a steady upward trajectory as the outdoors unfolded.
“My bike changed quite a bit throughout the moto [at Fox Raceway], so being able to adapt a little bit better [is needed],” he said. “I mean, like, you don’t have these race conditions during the week, so I didn’t really have that problem at home.
“We made a slight change for the second moto, and I felt like it was better at the end. But also, I needed to ride a little bit better. Like, I was riding the bike too hard, I’d say, and just didn’t have great lines, so I was making it work a lot harder than it should have had to. So I definitely think my riding can improve to hold where we’re at on the bike.”
It’s a consequential period for Hampshire as he weighs up the next chapter of his career. While offers have already arrived for the former 250SX West champion, it appears that none have quite met his expectations so far. In many ways, he’s betting on himself this summer.
Those opportunities could diminish if he waits too long, but a standout 450MX campaign could just as easily elevate his value, attract further interest, and strengthen his position at the negotiating table. Especially early on in the series, which is why the month of June could be Hampshire’s most important portion of the year.
Wednesday, June 3, 2026 at 12:21PM 
