RJ Hampshire withdraws from Glendale SuperMotocross with flu-like symptoms

Rockstar Husqvarna team manager says Hampshire "can't process the track quick enough" due to illness

Feb. 7, 2026 at 3:15pm

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RJ Hampshire, a competitor in the 450 division of the SuperMotocross World Championship, withdrew from Round 5 in Glendale, California after suffering from flu-like symptoms including vomiting. Hampshire attempted to qualify but posted only the 25th quickest time before pulling off the track, with his team manager citing the rider's unsafe condition to continue.

Why it matters

Hampshire's withdrawal due to illness highlights the physical demands and health challenges faced by professional motocross riders, who must be in peak physical condition to safely compete at the highest levels of the sport. Illnesses can quickly sideline even the toughest competitors.

The details

Hampshire, who has earned one top-10 finish in the first four rounds of the 450 division, attempted to qualify for Round 5 in Glendale but was unable to "process the track quick enough" due to a head cold, sinus issues, and the full-blown flu that left him vomiting that morning, according to his team manager Nathan Ramsey. Ramsey said he had "never seen [Hampshire] like this" and that it would have been "completely unsafe" for the rider to continue competing in that condition.

  • Hampshire withdrew prior to the start of Round 5 on February 7, 2026.

The players

RJ Hampshire

A competitor in the 450 division of the SuperMotocross World Championship who withdrew from Round 5 in Glendale, California due to flu-like symptoms.

Nathan Ramsey

The Rockstar Husqvarna team manager who stated that Hampshire was too ill with the flu to safely continue competing.

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What they’re saying

“Unfortunately, this week, he battled like a head cold and sinus thing, and this morning woke up with the full-on flu - I guess the flu - just kind of vomiting all morning and took it into here.”

— Nathan Ramsey, Rockstar Husqvarna team manager

“I've never seen him like this. I think we all know how tough he is and it's just a situation that's completely unsafe for him to be out there.”

— Nathan Ramsey, Rockstar Husqvarna team manager

What’s next

Hampshire's team will monitor his recovery and determine if he is healthy enough to compete in the next round of the SuperMotocross World Championship.

The takeaway

This incident underscores the physical toll that professional motocross racing can take on riders, who must be in peak health to safely compete at the highest levels of the sport. Hampshire's withdrawal due to illness serves as a reminder of the importance of rider safety and the challenges that even the toughest competitors can face.