JUSTIN BARCIA - GRIT 256 450SX

GRIT-256 | 450 SX

July 2nd, 2024 2:00 pm

A fan favorite for numerous years on the professional circuit, GasGas' Justin Barcia felt more than capable of nullifying the damage that had been done to his body in recent weeks, and instead, attacked the track in Massachusetts with courageousness while disregarding the injuries that had been accumulated. And even with the aforementioned ailments appearing to linger as he raced into the opening segments of the first moto, Barcia had somehow acquired a standing of eighth, throughout the first five minutes of action in moto-one. He would sink, both front and rear wheel(s) into the depths of the tallest berms, never letting go of the throttle while continuously upshifting the GasGas machine. His clutch and transmission were being used at the highest extent, where many on his team were cognizant of hot the bike was becoming when surging past the halfway point. Nevertheless, he continued to thrive as the track became rougher - and he proceeded to mimic many of the lines that Yamaha's Justin Cooper was exhibiting, not far in front of him. All the while Garrett Marchbanks, Dylan Ferrandis, Malcolm Stewart, and Phil Nicoletti were the next line of opponents who trailed his rear wheel when nearing the checkered flag...but Barcia wasn't going to be deterred. Instead, he accelerated under the intense pressure from his adversaries, and scored a final of sixth, as engines ceased! For the second moto, Justin Barcia's first lap was significantly less than desired...where he garnered twenty-ninth to begin the segment. But Barcia's prowess in the second was sensational, and he began to carve the raceway with fluidity. On occasion, one, to two legs were dangling off of the motorcycle...but the throttle twisting never relinquished as he made his way to the front of the back. Soaring from the gulley that led into a flyaway jump, not long before the finish line he would land on the back wheel and thrive into the set of switchbacks that followed...remaining motivated to continue climbing as minutes progressed on the clock. He had made his way to fifteenth by lap six, and remained here for a significant portion of time - and after passing Garrett Marchbanks in the latter stages, it was then a fight between he and Harri Kullas to see who could obtain the result of tenth, for this moto. Though the Estonia native narrowly edged his front wheel at the checkered flag, it was Barcia who's eventual eleventh place ride (in this race) was enough to garner a final overall score of seventh - which was stellar among this stacked field of opponents.

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