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JUSTIN BARCIA
450 MX / 3RD
IMAGE / KILPATRICK WORDS / HARNISHFEGER DESIGN / MOTOPLAYGROUND
>> Justin Barcia was a huge question mark entering the 2018 season. He was left without a ride until just before Anaheim 1 and the ride he ended up getting was only a part time ll-in deal. He has had a few rough years, so no one really had any expectations for him, but he took full advantage of his ll-in deal with Monster Energy Factory Yamaha. He blew everyone away with his performances at the rst two rounds. He racked up two third place nishes and was up front contending for the wins. He looked healthy, energetic, and back to his old “bam-bam” self. Round three did not go as well so the chirps of “ uke” arrived in the community but he shut that right up with a second-place nish at the following round in Glendale. Unfortunately, his season would be halted with an injury and he would not return until late in the year. However, he was con dent and determined to return to his early Supercross season form and shake up the podium here at round one of the AMA Pro Motocross series.
Barcia looked fast and frisky in the morning practice qualifying sessions. He was riding on the edge which means he was feeling strong and comfortable. He quali ed with the third fastest lap time and was one of only three riders in the 2:17 lap time range. His speed was right there, and he could not wait for the gate to drop.
Barcia kicked off the rst moto of the year with a wild and hectic rst lap. He rounded lap one locked in fourth in a close battle with Marvin Musquin, Jason Anderson, and Eli Tomac. He got bumped back to fth by Tomac on the second lap, but he remained right in the thick of the battle. He shadowed that front pack and popped back up to fourth on lap four after early leader Christian Craig crashed. This free position seemed to reignite him as he started to apply some serious pressure to Supercross champion Jason An- derson. He hounded El Hombre for two laps and made the pass for third on lap six. From there he rode the rest of the race in that spot despite getting some late pressure. It was a strong third place showing in the opening moto of the year.
Barcia got the second moto going with a great start that led to him leading the pack around for lap one. He held the lead for two laps before Anderson was able to squeeze his way by and bump Barcia back
to second. Barcia lost a little ground to Anderson but remained close for a handful of laps. On lap six, he fell victim to the Musquin and Tomac battle. Those two riders started knocking on his door and the three of them duked it out for a couple laps. Barcia held his own and proved stingy but ultimately slipped back to fourth. He didn’t stay there for long because that battle must have reinvigorated him, and he began reeling in Anderson. He quickly moved to his rear wheel and then made the pass on lap ten to get back into third. He rode the rest of the race comfortably and nished with another third. He’d go 3-3 on the day for a nice third overall. It was a perfect start to the season for Barcia as he proved he will be a force to be reckoned with all season long.
40 GRITMOTO • MAY 21, 2018