Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Ryder DiFrancesco achieved what he set out to do in his 250MX debut by grabbing the holeshot and showing strong pace in the opening half of the second moto at RedBud.

The 17-year-old made the step to Lucas Oil Pro Motocross following an impressive stint of amateur racing, most recently winning both MX Sports Pro Racing Scouting Moto Combines in 2021 and four from five SX Futures events in Monster Energy Supercross this season.

In the first moto in Michigan, DiFrancesco crashed on the opening lap at turn two, and mounted a spirited charge from 32nd to finish 14th. He grabbed the lead in the early stages of the second race and ran inside the top five until half distance, finishing the bout P12 to land 13th overall for round five.

“I had a great start in the first moto but, a crash in the second corner put me way down the running order,” DiFrancesco recalled. “I raced forward and made a bunch of passes to finish 14th.

“In moto two, I grabbed the holeshot which felt awesome, and I did my best to keep pace with the leaders for as long as I could.

My goal for the day was to do exactly what I did for the first half of that second moto, I matched the speed of the guys at the front for as long as I could before getting tight and settling back a bit. I’m looking forward to Millville where I’ll try my best to stay up there even longer.”

DiFrancesco is set to contest round seven of the championship at Millville on July 17 before competing at the AMA Amateur National Championships at Loretta Lynn’s.

He will return for the final four rounds of Lucas Oil Pro Motocross with Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki to officially commence his professional career.