Troy Lee Designs Red Bull Ducati Factory Racing is proud to announce the official signing of R.J. Hampshire to a multi-year contract. Hampshire will represent the Troy Lee Designs Red Bull Ducati Factory Racing Team aboard the Ducati Desmo 450MX machine as the team continues its pursuit of success in the premier class of professional racing into 2027.
A proven champion and one of America’s most determined racers, Hampshire brings an established record of success, championship experience, and an unmistakable never-quit mentality to the Troy Lee Designs Red Bull Ducati Factory Racing program.
Known to many as “Rick” or “Rick James,” Hampshire began his professional racing career in 2014, making his professional debut at Unadilla on August 9, 2014. Since turning professional, Hampshire has built an impressive resume that includes the 2024 Monster Energy AMA Supercross 250SX West Championship, four career AMA Pro Motocross 250 victories, and three career Monster Energy AMA Supercross 250SX West victories. He also finished third in the 2023 Monster Energy SuperMotocross World Championship 250SMX standings.
Hampshire has continued to establish himself as a force in the premier 450 class. In just two years in the class, Hampshire has recorded 11 total top-five finishes, including two podium results, and finished fifth overall in the AMA Pro Motocross Championship in both 2025 and 2026. His 2026 season included a podium finish at Ironman Raceway.
Beyond domestic competition, Hampshire has also represented the United States on the international stage at the Motocross of Nations, competing once aboard a 250 and once aboard a 450. Most recently, he represented Team USA at the 2025 Motocross of Nations, helping the United States earn a silver medal.
“I am super excited for this opportunity,” said Hampshire. “I was interested right away so Ziggy and Josh were the first call. They wanted me here just as much as I wanted to be here.
To start this relationship off with a newer team and a newer program, I am excited to give them my best for the next couple of years, be able to progress and put in the results. Super excited for this Ducati Desmo 450, had my first day on it and I’m stoked and I’m walking away with a lot of positives. Riding for Troy Lee is something you always dream of as a kid and to have this opportunity at this point in my career I feel super blessed. I’m ready for this refresh and looking forward to 2027.”
Hampshire’s addition comes at an important point in the development of the Troy Lee Designs Red Bull Ducati Factory Racing program. In its first season of competition, the team has continued to make significant progress with its Ducati race bike and program, recording a best result of fourth overall at the 2026 AMA Pro Motocross Championship round at Hangtown. The team finished 11th overall in Supercross and recorded seventh-and 10th-place overall finishes during the Motocross season.
