Formally announced in conjunction with the SMX League earlier today, the Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing Team proudly enters the 2026 SMX World Championship series with a stacked five-rider roster led by 450 Class teammates Malcolm Stewart and RJ Hampshire, as well as the young and talented 250 trio of Ryder DiFrancesco, Casey Cochran and Daxton Bennick.
Words | Press release
Stewart and Hampshire will both be onboard the new Husqvarna FC 450 Factory Edition, while DiFrancesco, Cochran and Bennick will be equipped with the latest Husqvarna FC 250 Factory Edition machines. All five riders will contest the entire 28 regular season races of the indoor stadium season of AMA Supercross and the outdoor season of Pro Motocross, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing, culminating in the post-season SMX Playoffs and World Championship Final.
Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s 250 lineup is also on-track to make an impact, featuring three new incoming prospects for 2026. Cochran makes his return to the Husqvarna team, while DiFrancesco – also already a Rockstar Energy athlete within the group – transfers to the FC 250 Factory Edition, and Bennick is a welcomed addition to the roster.
For Cochran, he spent much of his decorated amateur career with Team Husqvarna, initially making his professional debut as part of the Rockstar Energy Husqvarna squad with a breakout 250MX podium at Spring Creek in 2024. The 19-year-old Tennessee native missed the majority of last season due to injury but is working hard to rebuild in the new year with the team’s full support behind him.
DiFrancesco enjoyed a promising 2025 campaign that saw him lead his share of laps throughout the SMX season, and now, the 20-year-old Californian is hoping to capitalize on that front-running experience upon entering the Rockstar Energy Husqvarna effort.
Another new recruit for Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing is Bennick, who himself has immense experience with KTM Group machinery from his highly-successful amateur career. At 19, he has already claimed two podiums in 250SX, and the 2023 Nicky Hayden AMA Motocross Horizon Award recipient from North Carolina arrives with growing experience on his side upon already finding comfort at Husqvarna.
Ryder DiFrancesco #34: «I’m looking forward to the upcoming season with Rockstar Energy Husqvarna.Especially based on the improvements that we made last year, just to apply what we learned for the season ahead. I’m excited to get back at the races, and even though it’s not a super-long off season, I’m always excited to move forward and keep making progress in my career.»
Daxton Bennick #58: «I really like the bike so far and I’m enjoying the new team – it’s all going really well,» Bennick explained. «I’m really happy with everything and I’m super-excited to learn as a team, keep improving together. We’re pumped up and ready to do this in 2026!»
Casey Cochran #59: «Super-stoked to be back on Rockstar Energy Husqvarna for 2026,» Cochran commented. «It’s great to be back with the team and with a lot of familiar faces, so I’m looking forward to the upcoming season. We’ve got a good amount of time to get ready before Supercross, and I’m excited to get some good laps under my belt. I’m ready to get it all underway.»
