RJ HAMPSHIRE | GRIT-215 | 250SX

RJ HAMPSHIRE | GRIT-215 | SX 250

The willingness to move forward and persevere at all costs would play into the hand of Florida's RJ Hampshire as action began in State Farm Stadium. He'd been sensational throughout qualification, and continued on that trajectory amid the first moto of competition. His flow was pristine, and seemed to be en route to a podium run until the red flag was thrown on behalf of an injured rider. Yet even that, couldn't deter the Husqvarna veteran from finding a flow inside the top-three as laps were then amassed. He would follow just behind the battle of Levi Kitchen and Jett Lawrence, watching from a close distance to see if either would make a mistake amongst their relentless feud toward the finish-line. That moment would never come, but Hampshire's work ethic would be acknowledged (and rewarded) via an overtaking of Kitchen, late in the moto. The number twenty-four continued his relentless charge toward the checkered flag, taking second with little time to spare...and heading into the following round of competition hoping to climb even higher. And that's exactly what would occur, as the clutch release and shifting points of Hampshire were unparalleled by anyone else in the field for round number two. RJ's flow (at this stage of the evening) was incredible, and it was evident that he began to piece the track together at an escalated pace; even with Levi Kitchen and Jett Lawrence behind him. The number twenty-four couldn't be rivaled as he sped through the eleven lap bout, ultimately exhibiting perfection as he crossed the line victorious, prior to heading into the third outing of the evening! Hampshire's initial placement in the final main event would be right around the third-place standing, where he sought to move past Jett Lawrence and Levi Kitchen (who were both in contention for the overall victory) in this Triple Crown format. It was apparent that Hampshire wanted this win, riding on the edge while his Husqvarna would propel forward in a myriad of directions; which nearly cost him, in the whoop section as Pierce Brown inched closer. RJ's save within the whoop-pad after a few laps had transpired, would be incredible; as the Floridian would dart from left to right all the while his machine continued to swap in a fish-tailing manner...nearly leaving him scattered on the concrete-like soil! Luckily he remained upright while retaining the third-place position, which would be held throughout the eleven lap contest while keeping Enzo Lopes and Pierce Brown at bay. Registering an aforementioned third-place score when passing by the checkered flag, his consistency throughout the night would be the defining attribute in a second-place overall accrual!

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