Rockstar Energy Husqvarna’s RJ Hampshire capitalized on the triple points on offer at the SuperMotocross World Championship (SMX) Finals in Los Angeles, elevating himself to third in the 250SMX standings as a result of late progress.

An escalating points system placed an increased importance on each passing round of the post-season, with Hampshire commencing the playoffs with a lowly 14th overall in Charlotte.

Playoff two at Chicagoland saw a timely boost for the number 24, finishing fourth overall to improve to fifth in the 250SMX standings ahead of the final round. There, Hampshire worked his way forward from P8 in the opening moto to challenge for the lead in the closing stages, ultimately taking the checkered flag second, before a sixth-place finish in moto two saw him land third overall for the round and in the series.

“It’s been a struggle since Unadilla, really – honestly, even before that,” Hampshire recalled. “Charlotte was a disaster, got better last weekend and same this weekend, I made progress. I’ll continue to get better now, just healing.

“I’m not young like Haiden [Deegan] anymore, my body doesn’t heal as fast as his. Going into this off-season, this was huge, first moto was sick, second one just didn’t really have it, but yeah, stoked to end the year like this.”

The next stop for Hampshire is Ernee, France, where he will represent Team USA alongside Aaron Plessinger (MXGP) and Christian Craig (Open) in its Chamberlain Trophy defence at the Motocross of Nations (MXoN) between 6-8 October.

“It’s just going to keep progressing and I am going to get better and better,” Hampshire continued. “I am going home from here and not doing really anything for four days, which is what I need right now. I’ll be good at the Nations, I’ll be better than what I was tonight. We are riding for our country over there, so it will be exciting… I will be ready to go – there’s no reason why I shouldn’t be 100 percent.”