Image: Octopi Media.

Rockstar Energy Husqvarna rider RJ Hampshire overcame a day full of crashes to take 2-2 moto scores and secure the overall win in the fourth round of the 2021 Pro Motocross championship in RedBud.

After a tough week of dealing with sickness, Hampshire showed up to the track still under the weather as the series returned to action after a weekend off.

Moto one was action-packed, with Justin Cooper (Monster Energy Star Racing Yamaha )grabbing the holeshot ahead of teammate Jeremy Martin in his return from injury.

They led the Team Honda HRC duo of Jett and Hunter Lawrence for the first lap with Hampshire just behind in fifth.

Hampshire made quick work to get into second at the end of lap one, with Cooper hitting the ground at the start of lap two giving the Husqvarna man the lead.

Hampshire managed the lead for the opening 10 minutes until a crash put him on the ground allowing Lawrence by. Hampshire recovered quickly and pressured for the lead a few laps later, only to crash again, dropping him to third.

Jett Lawrence eventually went on to take the moto one win with Hampshire right behind as he recovered yet again to make a last-lap push for the win, with Hunter Lawrence in third and Cooper recovering to fourth.

In moto two, Cooper again grabbed the holeshot ahead of Martin, with Hampshire just behind them. Ty Masterpool (GasGas) found his way inside the top five as both of the Lawrence brothers were mired outside of the top 10.

Jett Lawrence hit the ground twice in the opening laps and dropped as low as 33rd, while Hampshire chased Cooper for the first half of the moto, eventually making the pass for the lead.

Hampshire led until the four-minute mark, hitting the ground and giving Cooper the lead and the eventual moto win. Hampshire recovered for second, taking the third overall win of his career.

Cooper took second with 4-1 moto scores, gaining three valuable points on third-place finisher Jett Lawrence, who recovered in moto two to notch 1-6 on the day.

Hunter Lawrence had one of his better days so far this season, finishing the day with 3-4 on the scorecard taking fourth overall as Martin rounding out the top five after going 5-3 in his return from injury.

Jo Shimoda (Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki) put in two solid rides, mixing it up at the front and eventually going 6-5 for sixth overall.

Pierce Brown had his best day of the season by far, the TLD Red Bull GasGas rider staying consistent with 7-7 for seventh overall, besting Stilez Robertson who finished 12-8 for eighth.

Max Vohland notched his best result since the opening round, the rookie going 10-11 and putting his Red Bull KTM in ninth overall on the day.

Last week’s winner Jalek Swoll opened the day with an eighth in moto one, but was mired deep in the pack in moto two, finishing 14th to take home 10th overall on the day.

Jett Lawrence still leads the championship by just eight points over Cooper as the series heads to Massachusetts for its annual trip to Southwick next Saturday, 10 July.

Detailed results