Page 52 - Issue-48

JUSTIN BARCIA
450 MX / 9TH
IMAGE / CAVAZOS WORDS / LANNAN DESIGN / WILSON
>> Justin Barcia was looking to find his old self when the day began in Sac- ramento. The New Jersey native has been slowly working his way up, getting into his old familiar form and was determined to show it at Hangtown. Despite a crash, he qualified just outside the top ten and was excited to get the season underway. As the gate dropped, Justin launched his JGR Suzuki off the line. His traction slipped away quickly but his inside gate choice was going to pay off. He funneled into the first corner and stayed as tight to the inside as pos- sible. By the time the riders crossed the holeshot line, Justin was sitting around 10th position. Unfortunately, the Northern California soil got the best of him soon after, as he found himself picking his Suzuki up off the ground. It took him a moment to get back going and he looked to be a tad uncomfortable. Justin did what he could to continue and was determined to make the best of the situ- ation. He was now outside the top twenty but began to climb back up through the pack. By lap three, he had made his way to 19th and was continuing to catch riders. He slowly but surely made his way up averaging about one pass each lap. He made it up to a very impressive 11th place by the time the check- ers flew. In the second moto, Justin was determined to improve and jumped
off to a very impressive start. He put the Suzuki to work as he rounded the first corner on the very inside and shot out inside the top 5 going into the second corner. Justin quickly forced his way into the 3rd position and was looking like
a new man. He held on to this position up until the fifth lap where a hungry Eli Tomac demanded the spot. Justin held on to his composure and continued to put down solid laps. Then, on the seventh lap, Justin was forced to let another rider, Wilson, by. He was determined to hold on to the top 5 spot and he did just that. Barcia would go 11,5 for 9th overall at Hangtown.
52 GRITMOTO • MAY 21, 2017