On the Rise: Ryder DiFrancesco

September 12, 2023

Words: Zach Newberry

In the AMA Supercross and Pro Motocross world, there's a constant stream of young and talented riders eager to make their mark on the sport. One such rider who has been turning heads recently is Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki's 18-year-old rider, Ryder DiFrancesco. With an impressive performance in his first “Supercross” debut at the inaugural SuperMotocross Playoffs 1, Ryder has proven that he's a rising star in the world of Supercross, Motocross, and the brand new SuperMotocross World Championship (SMX).

We have heard of this name for many years throughout his amateur career, coming to this point of being a full-time professional. This past weekend, fans and fellow riders witnessed the rookie tackle the challenging SuperMotocross circuit at ZMax Dragway in Charlotte, a mix between Supercross and Motocross. Ryder's performance was remarkable, as he secured an impressive 4th-place overall finish. What makes this achievement even more noteworthy is the fact that it was his first time competing in “Supercross” with the top 250 riders in the world.

Ryder finishes 3rd in 250 Moto 2 in the inaugural SMX World Championship in Charlotte and 4th OA on the day! (Photo: Pro Circuit)

In the second 250SMX Moto, Ryder demonstrated his talent, determination, and skill by staying with the front pack in 3rd place. He kept Red Bull Factory Racing KTM’s Tom Vialle and his teammate on that Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki team, Jo Shimoda, honest the entire Moto. This exceptional display of skill and composure under pressure hints at a promising future for this young rider.

While Ryder's Supercross debut may not have been the talk of the town, it's important to note that he's been making steady progress on his journey to stardom. Earlier this year, he showcased his potential in the 250SX Futures events, finishing 3rd and 2nd overall. Even in 2022, 250SX Futures, with four wins on the year! These strong showings provided a glimpse into his capabilities and hinted at future success.

Ryder's skill and composure under pressure hint at this young rider's promising future! (Photo: Pro Circuit)

Ryder DiFrancesco's path to professional racing began last year when he debuted at the last few Pro Motocross rounds. He showed glimpses of his talent, with his best finish being 8th overall at Spring Creek at only his 2nd race as a rookie. However, this year's Pro Motocross Championship season was where he indeed came into his own. Ryder competed in the entire series, finishing 10th in the overall point standings. Notably, he emerged as the 2nd best rider in overall point standings on his team, trailing only his teammate Jo Shimoda, who finished 3rd overall.

The pinnacle of Ryder's Pro Motocross Championship season came in the last round at Ironman, where he seized 6th place overall on the day. This achievement underscored his growth as a rider and hinted at his potential to compete at the sport's highest level.

DiFrancesco puts in an impressive and season best 6th OA at Ironman!

With this impressive momentum behind him, Ryder DiFrancesco is a name that fans and competitors alike should keep a close eye on in the next two SuperMotocross Playoff races in Chicago this weekend and the final round held in Los Angeles in two weekends. His remarkable debut in this brand new SuperMotocross World Championship and consistent performances in Pro Motocross prove he is genuinely "On the Rise." As he continues to hone his skills and gain experience, he is poised to become a force to be reckoned with in AMA Supercross, Pro Motocross, and this new SMX World Championship. So, be prepared to witness DiFrancesco shine even brighter in future races.

Comments, questions, or criticisms? Please email me at ImperativeMx@gmail.com.