JUSTIN BARCIA - GRIT 245 450SX

GRIT-245 |450 SX

May 20, 2024 9:45 am

GasGas' Justin Barcia is beginning to ascend yet again throughout this 2024 Monster Energy Supercross Championship, showing promise and remarkable talent despite contesting the professional circuit for well over a decade! He remains a threat for the highest of finishes, and proceeded to leap onto the racetrack in Seattle with confidence that was difficult for the competition to divert. His initiation to the first heat race of the evening, however, wasn't quite as desired. Speeding through the first circuit while showcasing his patented chassis flick over the final double, he registered twelfth...but leapt into single digit territory in the laps to follow. He had somehow managed fourth by lap sixth, passing opponents such as Adam Cianciarulo, Mitchell Oldenburg, and Mitchell Harrison as well. This led him to a pace that attempted to mirror both Eli Tomac and Chase Sexton who were ahead of him...but the championship duo were a bit too far out of reach, and "JB51" appeared to be satisfied with the eventual fourth-place result. In the main event, he did his best to dive into the middle of the pack for the opening corner...hoping to exit the opening bend in an advantageous position despite being swarmed by world-renowned riders in every direction. By lap four, he had amplified his original standing (of seventh) to that of fifth after passing Adam Cianciarulo and Shane McElrath. It was then a process of defending his position from various championship contenders...including Jett Lawrence and former amateur rival, Jason Anderson. Barcia's fight was full of fury and panic rev's, but the New York native seemed to be a step or two off (of the aforementioned athletes) which caused him to decline a bit in the overall standings...including be passed by Aaron Plessinger and Justin Cooper as well. However, his skid per se would be halted there - and he appeared revitalized as he defended the single-digit placement from opponents such as Malcolm Stewart. Though being passed by Lawrence in the final stages, Barcia would rally to overtake Anderson just before the checkered flag...proving that he had a good bit left in the "tank" if you will...residing ninth as he rounded the final right-handed corner and over the checkered flag. Now ninth in the series as well, he will seek to combat both Justin Cooper and Jason Anderson to infiltrate seventh (in the point standings) in the coming weeks.

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