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JUSTIN BARCIA
450 SX / 10TH
IMAGE / LANNAN WORDS / KUHLHOFF DESIGN / WILSON
>> Round Eleven in the “Circle City” saw a more reserved Justin Barcia than what we have seen in past rounds. This was probably for the best though, without reservations and proper timing, this was a track that could take a rider down in the blink of an eye. Barcia found himself lin- ing up for a stacked second heat with some of the fastest riders, as well as THE fastest rider Marvin Musquin, from qualifying practices. After a mid-pack start, the JGR Suzuki rider found himself in ninth place by the end of the heat, not within the transfer spots and headed to the Semi. The Greenville, Florida native knew that he had to turn it on if he wanted a spot in the Main Event. Early in Semi Two, Barcia found himself in
a battle for fourth with Tickle. The number 51 settled for the fifth place transfer position behind Weimer after a miraculous save that involved coming up short and careening into some tough blocks. After last week- end’s eleventh place finish in the Sunshine State, I’m sure that Barcia wanted to go into the Main in Indy with thoughts of improvement on the weekend prior.
Unfortunately, the short start got the best of some riders. The gates dropped for the Main and Barcia sat in thirteenth place early in the moto. Justin Barcia then found some fire and momentum while in a heated battle with Wilson. Justin Bogle and Broc Tickle were battling for the eighth place position right in front of Barcia and Wilson. When Bogle couldn’t do the finish line, both Wilson and Barcia passed him. Barcia then made the pass on Wilson and Friese around the halfway point, moving up to tenth place. After a hard fight, Barcia was able to cross the finish line within the top ten. Cannot wait to see what this guy does in Detroit next weekend.
60 GRITMOTO • MARCH 19, 2017