Image: Octopi Media.

One week after his frightening crash at the Monster Energy Supercross season-opener in Anaheim, 450SX contender Malcolm Stewart defied the odds in earning a top 10 finish in San Diego while racing with a fractured scapula bone in his shoulder blade.

After a diagnosis that included both a dislocated shoulder and scapula injury in the aftermath of Angel Stadium’s multi-bike incident, the Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing rider was cleared to compete at the second Supercross round in the days leading up to the event.

Questioning whether he could push through the pain, a gritty performance saw him advance directly to the main event via a P6 ride in his heat race, before achieving a 10th place finish to conclude his night at Snapdragon Stadium.

“Last night wasn’t about how I finished,” recalled Stewart. “The win was committing to the race when I could’ve easily sat it out – a [decision] I questioned more than once. But I stayed in it, pushed through the pain, and finished what I started.

“Practice went okay, even if I was really sore, and then the heat races were decent, but all-in-all, I just geared myself up for the main event. I did everything I could, and I am really proud to say that P10, honestly, means a lot to me. I rode my own race, which I’m happy with, and these next few weeks are going to be tough, but we’ll do some more therapy and then get ready for A2.”

After an encouraging off-season, a DNF at Anaheim 1 was a disappointing way to commence the 2026 season, particularly given expectations of another step forward in performance. He is currently listed 16th in the 450SX standings entering Anaheim 2.