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RJ HAMPSHIRE
250 MX / 6TH
IMAGE / LANNAN WORDS / ARMSTRONG DESIGN / TILLS
>> Most improved 250 rider of 2017, that would have to be the Geico Hon- da rider of RJ Hampshire. RJ’s best finish in 2016 was a 5th and it was at the opening moto of the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross series at Hangtown. He finished 11th in points that year and finished inside the top 10 eleven times. So far in 2017 RJ has been in the top ten twelve times, two of those times have been podium appearances. Also RJ missed the first 6 races which left him out of a possible 150 points. It is nice to see RJ making these huge improvements because he could be Geico Hondas title contender in 2018. Race one this weekend RJ started in third position, all of the top 5 riders seemed to just match each others pace but couldn’t make anything hap- pen but I am sure Hampshire is happy to get on the podium for the second time in his career. @rjhampshire got a bad start in race two and by the end of lap one he was outside of the top ten. Hampshire fought hard early in the race to make his way to 7th but by that time the rest of the field where to far gone. RJ has changed up his training coming into the series and it seems to be working for him. Can he get a surprise win at the final race next weekend at IronMan?
44 GRITMOTO • AUGUST 20, 2017