Revealed on 8 January 2023
ROCKSTAR ENERGY HUSQVARNA FACTORY RACING’S MALCOLM STEWART KICKS OFF 2023 WITH STRONG PERFORMANCE
Making the trek to Angel Stadium is an annual custom for the AMA Supercross Championship, however this yr added a brand new layer of intrigue, because it was additionally the kickoff of the brand new SuperMotocross period, the place the Supercross and Professional Motocross seasons hyperlink collectively for the primary time. RJ Hampshire topped the outcomes for the Rockstar Vitality Husqvarna Manufacturing unit Racing Staff, the place robust monitor circumstances introduced on by an uncommon string of wet days in Southern California made it extraordinarily difficult for all of the riders.
250SX
A part of the thriller of any season-opener is to see how all of the riders stack up, and the evening began off in one of the best ways doable for RJ Hampshire, with a win in his warmth race filled with gifted title contenders. When the gate dropped for the 250SX Essential Occasion, Hampshire began off within the fourth place, however methodically moved ahead. With lower than two minutes left to go, he moved into the second spot and completed barely over 5 seconds behind the highest spot.
“Man, we had an superior day,” Hampshire stated. “From begin to end we have been stable. I felt like my driving was actually good. My begins have been respectable, and it was a stable begin to the season with a P2. We’ll take it and lead into Oakland. Hopefully, we will do it once more.”
450SX
Malcolm Stewart skilled a bit of little bit of the whole lot throughout the 450SX Essential Occasion. Nearing the midway level, he took benefit of a bobble by final season’s champion and took over the lead for a number of laps. Later, contact with one other rider pressured him off the monitor. Within the closing phases of the primary, he had a crash that dropped him to the again of the pack. However even with the robust end, he was left with a optimistic impression at the beginning of the season.
“The day began out fairly gradual. I didn’t actually trip that effectively in apply and the monitor was fairly robust, however I bought to a degree the place I used to be like, ‘You already know what? I simply want to show this dayaround,’ as a result of I felt like I work too arduous to get so far,” Stewart stated. “I bought an honest begin in the primary occasion, and simply did the most effective I may. I began driving, clicking off laps, making some good passes, and sensible decisions. I used to be main the primary for some time, which was wonderful. I don’t assume I’ve performed that in my complete complete profession. Simply having all that stress and coping with it, if something brings confidence to me as a result of I do know the place I belong. I’m very pleased with myself. Sadly, we did have a crash with three laps to go. It was a giant crash for positive. I’m glad that I’m wholesome and walked away from it, so we reside to combat one other day and I’m extra pleased with myself due to how my day was going and me turning it round and going like that, and doing what I’m purported to just do brings extra confidence for me. I’m trying ahead to Oakland.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zqj7OjkA1Ec
For the most recent member of the Rockstar Vitality Husqvarna workforce, Christian Craig, it was a tricky solution to begin the season, ending thirteenth on the evening within the 450 class.
“A1’s performed and it was a tough day for me,” Craig stated. “I began off good in apply after which had a fairly large crash within the whoops and from there on out it was a battle. I rode tight and never like myself. I’m fairly annoyed with the evening, however we’re wholesome, we’re shifting on, and solely up from right here. I’ve simply set to work on beginning up entrance and placing myself in an excellent place to battle extra subsequent week.”
Phrases: Husqvarna
Picture: Align Media
