JUSTIN BARCIA | GRIT-215 | 450SX

JUSTIN BARCIA | GRIT-215 | SX 450

The resurgence of Justin Barcia would be on display (yet again) while racing in Glendale came to fruition, as the number fifty-one's confidence was at an extremely high level prior to the series departing for a brief hiatus. He hadn't missed a beat as the green flag waved for practice on Saturday, where he scrubbed and whipped his GasGas chassis over the largest obstacles on the track with ease; using his momentum through the straightaways and rhythm lanes to flow into the following corners, as well. His mantra wouldn't change as the gate fell for the opening segment (of night show competition) where he resided at the front of the field while countless riders inside the top seven would shuffle. Barcia would see that of Ken Roczen, Cooper Webb, and Eli Tomac ahead, quickly zeroing-in on the German rider as the clock would dwindle to (roughly) nine and a half minutes remaining. It was at that point when Barcia saw an opportunity to move forward in the corner after the finish-line, where he pushed Ken to the outside and quickly infiltrated third. He then hoped to reel-in that of Cooper Webb and Eli Tomac, but the championship contenders were a step (or two) ahead of the New York native; and he would be forced to reside third, as the checkered flag was eventually thrown. Battling amongst the top six to begin the following main event, there was little room for error as those at the front of the field were literally inches from one another throughout the majority of competition. Barcia was relentless and would move as high as fifth for a good portion of this "sprint" as many would categorize it. However after trading positions with Cooper Webb (as Barcia had passed him in the whoop section) it would be the KTM rider who surpassed him just before the final bell rang...taking sixth before beginning the final endeavor. Leaping from the gate(s) for the third occasion of the evening, Barcia quickly sought to move around Colt Nichols while following Eli Tomac. Barcia appeared to aspire for victory more than ever before, and would hunt the Yamaha rider with all of his might once into the runner-up position. The number fifty-one remained polished amongst a difficult racing canvas, sliding amongst a slippery base that would seemingly chew the knobbie(s) of his tire apart, each and every time he completed a lap upon the circuit. He would manage the moto in second, while becoming extremely close to the rear tire of the number-one machine...but was unable to make the move in the latter stages when it mattered most. Ultimately doing enough to obtain second (in the moto), his final overall accumulation (of third) would be exceptional given the level of competition at this stage in the series.

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