Image: Octopi Media.

Rockstar Energy Husqvarna’s RJ Hampshire has opened the 2024 Monster Energy Supercross Championship with a commanding victory in the 250SX West main event at Anaheim 1.

It was rookie standout Julien Beaumer (Red Bull KTM) who took the holeshot and immediately came under attack from fast-qualifier Levi Kitchen (Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki).

The pair went back and forth through the opening turns, before Beaumer successfully defended his lead, and on lap two Hampshire made his way by Kitchen for P2. He used the same method at the end of the first set of whoops on Beaumer a lap later to take control of the lead.

From there, Hampshire continued to stretch his advantage and that’s where he would remain for a 3.138s victory to open the season ahead of Jordon Smith (Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing) and Kitchen, who managed to get the better of a fast-finishing Jo Shimoda (Team Honda HRC) and Vohland – the trio finishing in that order.

Beaumer, meanwhile, dropped to sixth position after being caught up in the chaos mid-race, followed by Garrett Marchbanks (Muc-Off FXR ClubMX Yamaha), Mitchell Oldenburg (MotoConcepts Honda) after being caught up in the gates, Ryder DiFrancesco (TLD Red Bull GasGas) and Carson Mumford (MotoConcepts Honda).

Misfortune struck Nate Thrasher (Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing) in the middle of the race, going down on lap eight. As well, Phil Nicoletti (Muc-Off FXR ClubMX Yamaha) was unable to start after his bike encountered a mechanical on the sighting lap.

Detailed results