JUSTIN BARCIA | GRIT-209 | 450SX

JUSTIN BARCIA | GRIT-209 | SX 450

Justin Barcia's momentum thus far in the series had to be acknowledged. The pace that the elite members of this 450 division would possess would be inexpressible, and had unfortunately claimed riders like Dylan Ferrandis, and Malcolm Stewart to injury. However, he had endured the grueling process of the first five rounds and was now here to attack the course of stage six...which would be welcomed with an erupting of momentum displayed in the first of two timed practice. Flinging roost from the top of the berm just after the "SX" triple, pellets of Northern Californian soil would be flung onto the concrete that was adjacent to the track; indicative of the velocity his tire and accompanying sprockets had generated. His process of moving forward on the track, was both systematic and aggressive; embodying the positive aspects of both terms, en route to a notable overall time that had him listed in heat one. Flying from the gates with zero regard for fear, his GasGas machine would soar through the air over the span of two triples to begin lap-two of the divisional round. He would be eye to eye with fans in the first few rows of seating, when leaping across the floor alongside the start straightway. There was little that could deter his sense of self-belief, and even as Jason Anderson (who he'd had multiple run-ins with) would attempt to take his lines in the corners that surrounded the initial whoop section, his throttle twisting would remain unfazed. Compressing the suspension of his GasGas 450 as he crested finish-line on the white flag circuit, there would be just over one-minute remaining between he and a tremendous third-place standing to the main event. And with flying colors, his bid would be secured shortly thereafter. For the finalé, it was Chase Sexton who immediately blistered his way to an early race lead; with the momentum of the first three competitors being an absolute spectacle to see for this main event. He would be clawing through the technical portions of this racetrack though, with his elbows high and in an attack position, after beginning the trek in thirteenth. Having to work around riders like Shane McElrath and Colt Nichols, Barcia would then initially push the Oklahoman off-track prior to beginning the rhythm lane before the finish-line, though ultimately avoiding serious confrontation. And not long thereafter, would Justin find the front-end of Adam Cianciarulo's Kawasaki; taking him wide (after the whoops), where Barcia remained unscathed while advancing another position. Landing from the dragon's back and proceeding to the blitz into the whoops that followed in the upper limits of third gear, his line of initial skipping would conform into a "rhythm-esque" ensemble by the time the halfway point would approach. Feathering the left-lever when necessary, there would come a time around the thirteenth minute, where the fight between he and Ken Roczen would be coined as a battle of willpower. Who was going to break (figuratively) first, in the final quarter of the moto? He made sure to combat the thoughts of doubt with forward momentum of his own, and would round the final right-handed corner with sixth-place in hand, respectively.

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