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JUSTIN BARCIA
450 SX / 5TH
IMAGE / LANNAN WORDS / MATTINGLY DESIGN / MOTOPLAYGROUND
>> If you’ve been watching the series for the past few weeks, you may’ve noticed that we’ve had two early races, in correlation to regular start times. Feld, and its co-existing partners in the television deal, have realized that it may be time to add a bit of avor to the series, and it seems to be going well with both fans and riders alike. Justin Barcia is most certainly a fan, as he takes the time to soak up the sun, and get the racing over and done with. He’s always been an early riser, and feels as though he provides a lot of adrenaline and aggression, during the earlier races, in comparison to being a night owl. Practice en- sued after a small cup of coffee, and the caffeine provided an extra punch into his practice times. Obliterating each back-to-back whoop section, the style he was presenting through these gigantic rollers was perfection. The calves were exed, he was on the balls of his feet, and the sternum was over the bar-pad. Generating a solid time, once the nal ag ew, he knew he’d be in good shape come time for the racing portion of the night show. The heat race was a short burst of energy, something that he trained for on both cycling, and treadmill machines, throughout the week. But unlike the weight room, he couldn’t mimic the intensity of having Tyler Bowers breathe down his neck. The heart rate would begin to rise, and the monitor showing ashes of red. It was then, over the “SX” triple that he had a moment of cool down, and would remain composed for the latter portion of the show. Hopping on and off the far table-top littered section, he wouldn’t look back, as he would nish fth. It was time for what he’d train for, his whole career; the 450, Supercross main event. Ruts were already beginning to form throughout the bowl turns on the rst lap, and he was having to sort through these lines like a card deck. Sliding his rear wheel through the nish line bowl turn, he would sit seventh in the early going. Latching onto Christian the two would seem to be locked together with their chains, never separating
by more than a few bike lengths; following Barcia’s charge to the front. He would remain steady, where many would crumble, and look ahead towards the checkered ag. It was the carrot that dangled in front of him, and as the laps would wind down, he would nd t- ting in fth position. It was here, where he would reside, and nish the evening.
20 GRITMOTO • APRIL 29, 2018