Image: Octopi Media

Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s RJ Hampshire posted consistent 2-3 results to win his second overall of the year at an action-packed round five of the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship at RedBud, MI.

Despite a day of mixed fortunes that saw him finish fourth overall, championship leader Jeremy Martin (Geico Honda) has retained the championship lead heading into his home race at Millville.

Despite everything, Martin only gave up three points to his closest rival, Dylan Ferrandis (Monster Energy Star Racing Yamaha).

Monster Energy Star Racing Yamaha’s Shane McElrath won a drama-filled opening 250MX moto.

Teammates McElrath and Ty Masterpool spearheaded the pack through the first turn, while Martin and Ferrandis found themselves outside the top 10.

Ferrandis hunted down Martin, but at the midway mark both riders went down after Ferrandis tried to squeeze past entering the left-hander at the bottom of Larocco’s Leap.

The Frenchman remounted quickly, and, despite another high-side crash several laps later, would finish fifth. Martin however, failed to move forward and finished 11th.

Up front, Hampshire jumped to the lead after passing McElrath then capitalising on a mistake from leader Masterpool.

With two laps to go Hampshire also made a mistake and allowed McElrath back past for the lead and eventual win, while Lawrence applied the pressure all the way to the checkered flag for third.

Masterpool and Ferrandis rounded out the top five, while Harrison, Justin Cooper (Monster Energy Star Racing Yamaha), Alex Martin (JGRMX Yoshimura Suzuki), Stilez Robertson (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna) and Brandon Hartranft (TLD Red Bull KTM) completed the top 10 placings.

In the second moto, Martin rebounded to claim the win by a comfortable eight seconds.

Off the gate it was again Ty Masterpool who secured his second holeshot of the day, with Martin in second and Hampshire in third.

Ferrandis experienced a horror mid-pack start and had to grind his way through the field on his way to second place and second overall for the day.

A desperate last-lap pass on RJ Hampshire saw him gain a handful of championship points over Martin, while Mitchell Harrison (Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki) finished fourth and Justin Cooper fifth.

Rounding out the top 10 was Jo Shimoda (Geico Honda), Cameron McAdoo (Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki), Jett Lawrence, Alex Martin and moto 1 winner Shane McElrath.

The sixth round of the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship will be held at Millville MN on September 19.

Detailed results