Barcia amped up for 2023

Edward StratmannJanuary 3, 20230

Having finished inside the top 10 in every single AMA Supercross main event in 2022, it’ll be fascinating to see if Justin Barcia can keep up his consistency in 2023.

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Words: Edward Stratmann | Lead Image: GasGas

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Always a tough competitor who’s never afraid to get his hands dirty, which he did on many occasions last season, the fact he was able to claim six podiums and 11 top fives to accompany the aforementioned served as a further testament to how well he was riding indoors.

While the divisive figure ultimately came home fifth in the championship, just 12 points behind Malcolm Stewart in third, if only he’d avoided the incidents and kept his nose clean, there would’ve been every chance his campaign ended with him getting a career best top three premier class finish. But that’s the way he races, with his aggression and intensity one of the keys to his success even if it can get him into avoidable predicaments at times.

“I’m happy to end the supercross series with a podium finish here in Salt Lake City. Obviously, tonight’s racing was intense but we were racing for third in the championship and I was going for it. All-in-all, I’m stoked with how the season went, we had a lot of fun together as a team and we definitely have some positives to take away and bring into the outdoor series,” he explained on his SX season.

Although his Pro Motocross campaign didn’t go to plan, the hugely entertaining and exciting pilot was still able to secure an impressive podium at RedBud on his way to finishing eighth in the standings.

After a good off-season both on and off the track, which saw him become a father, race the Red Bull Straight Rhythm and get some crucial testing time on the new bike, which the GasGas squad team have now switched to for 2023, Barcia’s primed to enjoy another of his customary fast starts to the season.

Obviously the key thing will be how he adapts to the new generation machine, something the KTM/Husqvarna riders struggled with aside from Stewart. But if his comments are anything to go by, he’s loving the new platform at this stage and is ready to hit the ground running in 2023.

“I’m so amped for this upcoming season, we’ve got more races with more opportunities to win! I’m excited about our new bike and going racing with my wife and baby boy it’s going to be a fun season,” asserted the #51.

There’s also been further changes under the Troy Lee Designs/Red Bull/GasGas awning that directly impact him, which shouldn’t pose a major problem, as his mechanic and good friend Olly Stone has stepped into the role as crew chief, thus meaning Cody Champagne has moved up to wrench for Barcia this term.

Full of personality and injecting so much life into the sport, the experienced 30-year-old will be eager to return to winning ways, especially after not reigning triumphant in a SX main event since Houston 1 in January of 2021.

Definitely a legitimate contender for wins and podiums, happy with the team and so content with all facets of life, all the signs are there that Barcia will come out firing at the season opener at Anaheim this weekend just like he usually does.