Image: Octopi Media.

A separated shoulder and internal bleeding following his crash at Anaheim 2 almost ruled RJ Hampshire out of Oakland, with the Rockstar Energy Husqvarna rider revealing the extent of the damage after making a late call to line-up and go on to finish P2.

Hampshire, 27, crashed during the second main event at the Triple Crown event three weeks ago, which proved costly after winning the opening race of the night. He eventually managed to piece together results good enough for 11th place on the night.

Despite the injuries, Hampshire was able to grab the holeshot in Oakland’s 250SX West main event, leading until lap five when he washed the front and went down. The number 24 banked an important 23 points in what was a gritty effort considering the impact of injuries sustained at A2 had on his preparation for what was the fourth western regional race of the season.

“Tonight I was really hoping I didn’t get the holeshot,” recalled Hampshire. “No one knew other than my team, I seperated my shoulder pretty bad in the crash at Anaheim 2. I thought that was it, flew home after the race, slept in my own bed Sunday night, woke up Monday and wasn’t feeling right, ended up checking myself in to the ER and had some internal bleeding that was pretty bad.

“I got transferred and spent a night in the hospital, then after that, the next four-to-five nights were brutal. I couldn’t even sleep – every time I’d go to bed, my body would just be sweating non-stop, so that’s when Oakland didn’t look like it was happening. I did all I could and somehow we showed up here and put in a solid night.”

250SX West now takes a four-week break, not returning until round 11 of Monster Energy Supercross in Seattle. The time off will serve as a timely break for Hampshire, who will use the four weeks to continue to further recover from his injuries before the second half of the series resumes.

Hampshire now sits second in the western regional standings following his second-place effort in Oakland, 20 points behind Team Honda HRC’s current red plate-holder Jett Lawrence.