Insight: Justin Barcia
Monday, February 20, 2012 | 11:20 AM
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Perhaps the number-one plate did it, or maybe it was the long wait before the East Region Lites Championship began. Something made Justin Barcia extra nervous before the Dallas SX, but he really didn’t show it—after all the GEICO Powersports Honda rider won the race! He seemed much more relaxed when we found him after the race.
Racer X: Okay, the biggest challenge: How were you able to overcome waiting this long to freaking race? It must have been hard just waiting while the west went at it.
Justin Barcia: Well, you know, I went through about 50 cartons of Marlboro reds. [Laughs]
[Laughs] Still on that?
I know right? It’s a good joke. Seriously, though, I don’t know because today I was a nervous wreck.
Really?
Honestly, I was pretty nervous all day.
Compare it to other openers.
Compared to other openers, this is the most nervous I’ve been.
Why?
Tell me about it! I don’t know why! I rode tight. For like how good I rode today, I was so tight all day. This first race, there’s just so much hype. I know I put in all the hard work. I mean, I’m in the best shape I’ve ever been in and there’s no doubt in my mind about that. But yeah, I was just nervous all day.
Barcia said he was tight and nervous all day--but luckily his trusty mechanic Snikey was there to try to calm him. A little.
Cudby photo
So do you ever felt like you rode how you could ride?
I felt like the second practice, I rode really well. I wasn’t tight at all. Then in the heat race, I didn’t get the greatest start and I rode a little tight. I mean, I passed everyone, but I was still tight. And then the main, had a pretty good start and I came off the track and I had arm pump still. So now that this first race is over and the nerves are gone, I think I’m set now. I definitely have another level to go speed-wise. I just feel like with all the time running up to the races, it’s just like, let’s get this thing over with. I’ve never had the feeling before of being this nervous. I mean, you’re always a little butterflies and stuff like that, but today was kind of stressful.
You’re working with six-time now as a trainer [Six-time AMA National Champ Jeff Stanton].
Yeah, six-time Stanton.
You guys have been together since, what, end of the year last year?
Yeah, since like Bercy, or a little bit before Bercy.
So is that actually a long time? When it comes to training does it need to be, like a whole year? Or is it already kicking in?
It definitely already kicked in for sure. We killed it on the off season. He knows what he’s doing. I have a lot of good people around me at home. We live in the middle of nowhere. We train, we ride, and then we just have fun. There’s nothing better than riding your dirt bike every day and having fun and doing what you love to do, that’s for sure.
Is it pretty gnarly, though? Some of the stuff Stanton has got you doing?
Yeah, we do some serious training. Actually, it’s pretty cool by my place. I’ve got like a 5k loop around my property and stuff, so it’s sick. We run that a lot. I actually have another trainer at home, too. I’ve got like a lot of trainers! [Laughs] No, but seriously, I have a weightlifting trainer and I have Stanton and my dad and everyone. We have this good clique right now.
Could that be why you’re nervous? That’s a lot of preparation. I mean, you’ve been preparing hard since October or whatever.
I knew I didn’t overtrain because we’re smarter than that. I’ve done that before, a long time ago, and I knew I was doing great. I’m stronger than ever. If I took my shirt off right now, you could see my muscles. I’m gonna’ keep the shirt on for you, but maybe one of these podium weekends I’ll take it off and you can see my muscles.
I don’t have a video camera. I don’t think anyone needs to see this.
[Laughs] But seriously, though, I am stronger and I feel great on the bike. Our bike is sick this year. We’ve done a lot of improvements. Everyone has just been doing a great job.
Barcia had to make moves on Darryn Durham to get wins in the heat and main event.
Cudby photo
Take me through the main. It looked like you had many opportunities to full-on bam bam people and you went like maybe 75 percent. You weren’t super nice, but not super gnarly, either.
Yeah, I did the bam. Not the bam bam. No, yea, the main, I was sitting up here all day thinking I’ve got to get a start for sure. So I figured it out, kind of, I got a really good start. Me and my teammate battled a little bit and then finally I got around him. Then I just kind of started picking guys off and got a really good drive through the whoops one lap and ended up getting Darryn in the corner. I just rode the rest of the race from there.
But we haven’t seen the full game?
Honestly, I don’t think that was the full game this weekend because I was just so tight all weekend. But that’s good to win it anyway.
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Watch this gut I'm telling you...
He has the Will and the Fight. Claxton maight say that makes no differnce but he hasn't been run into and over by Barcia!!
The sport needs a character like this too...the young upstart taking it to the established veterans - which is what RV JS CR nad RD will all be next year...we got a glimpse at last years nationals...
Barcia is impressive and has a bright future in the sport. I think he needs to tone down the physical passing just a bit however. He was definitely the fastest guy out there Saturday, but I don't think he needed to get up into everyone he passed to get the job done. I'm sure Wharton is going to be looking for him next round, and if I recall he is not exactly a stranger to physical racing.
If I was LaRocco I would probably sit both Barcia and Bogle down in the team truck and remind them about professional representation of the sponsors. Bogle's incident with Malcolm could be seen as a takeout or as Bogle not backing off, but I was honestly a little disgusted to see a rookie in his first race go for a head slap after the crash.
In 3 years... Barcia, Baggett, Canard, Dungey, Musquin, Roczen, Tomac, Villopoto, Wiemer, Wilson, Windam...What a battle brewing for a top ten finish
@BD25 you pickin up what I'm putting down man? The future looks BRIGHT!!
hey dinosaurmedia, I guess you forgot about last years nationals when RV flew past Barcia in the air and if Barcia had not checked up he would have been splattered all over the track. Besides Ken is going to beat Barcia for the east title this year that kid is smooth and fast.
Everyone has fight in them until punched in the mouth.
A bunch of guys will get on here saying abunch of bad stuff about the kid, but he has his head on straight. He is smart, and works hard, and doesnt settle for 2nds. I like him. He makes it fun to watch the races, and he isnt going anywhere, so all you haters might as well get used to him being around the podium..
@bd200,, C"mon man.. Are you telling me that he wasn't riding reckless ??? Tell me, what would you say if JS was doing that ??
Yes it does, as long as the money does not dry up... went to my first live show in a few yrs .. the pits are so much better... more to see and do ....the talent is at an all time high and getting better.. but the show was un changed... tshirt cannons lasers fireworks smoke long rider intro loud music.....Windhams transfer is insane and a eye opener best part of the opening ..maybe less ... lasers, long slow intro rides...and fireworks could give way to.... a couple hot laps..say using top 5 guy from each class ...or make the mains a 15 min plus two... I think fans would rather see more racers on the track time....just my two cents
@mxmofo1 - just so we aren't all talking past each other, how do you define reckless?
I know I would rather see more races. I hate that they don't have the semi qualifiers any more. 15 + 2 or even 20 minute mains would be awsome!!
@Claxton-Just saying I like this kid we all know RV is a beast and it's easy to jump on his bandwagon as so many do but like many in the sport we knew from young that he would be a champ.
I just see the fight in Darcia that is all...don't take things so personally. I believe he will win.
and as far as Barcia vs. Roczen. I'm cheering for the USA all day baby...
Meant to say Barcia (big hands little keyboard)
To those that thought Barcia was reckless I don't know what to say - maybe so but it was sure as hell exciting!!
La rocco " I did not like that head slap..................." bogle "sorry boss" .....Larocco "you better be.....did'nt i teach you better than that?...........you need to go low when you tackle." JB 2.0 has toned it down just enough to keep it on two and still spank....priceless.....the last of a dying breed. Mookie " man i can't believe that mofo went upside my helmet"....James Sr " if you get better starts you won't have to deal with that sh*t......but you will have to deal with some other sh*t......" .....believe those words of wisdom. GO JB ,GO Wharton!!!!and GoDurham nice ride....
He has come along way sice the #151 and handguards tacking the rev limiter over every scrub. Man I miss that. One question.... How does reckless riding podium every single race last year and win the opener on a bad start? Answer.. you are that much better than everyone.
I watched the race twice his passing didn't look that agressive the second time. I thought he looked in control and really smooth. He could find extra speed anywhere he needed to have it. Hope he points out early and rides Las Vegas on a factory Honda 450. If Villo is crowned early too it could be the only match up worth watching
pitbull think your meant bd200...
@ CR500AF,, Definition of reckless -- Just Barcia at Dallas.. hahaha.. Dude, he made contact with every single rider he came up on. His turn is coming..... By the way, love the pic of Hannah...
Bam Bam, what can you say, such a consistent rider, always knocking heads LOL. Seriously, I do think he's toned it down a notch which is smart. He's got the speed, why take the chance on going down. Love the similarity between him and the OTHER top rider right now: Can you say "FITNESS, FITNESS, FITNESS".
@mxmofo fishing for an arguement again. So here goes. If Stewie was riding like what?? Fast?? Barcia DID NOTHING RECKLESS.. Nobody went down at all from him, he made the passed when he saw the chance, and some guys were riding a very wide bike. I saw nothing reckless, and this has nothing to do with Stewie.. And we all saw what Malcolm did right. Do you call that reckless mxmofo?? Answer that one for me..
@bd200,, I did not call Malcomb's pass "wreckless", I did say this in 250 Words -- "Malcombs pass was not smart by amy means,, but I have seen a hell of alot worse". -- If Bogle wouldn't have gotten his foot caught, they wouldn't have crashed, then the pass wouldn't have looked as bad.
The point is, if JS was doing what Barcia was doing, you would be calling him the most dangerous rider out there, and you know you would...
I like that Barcia is agressive.But,at the same time he doesnt need to go left,in a right hand corner just to make sure he makes contact with the guy he is blocking!It was a little over the top.Think that stuff may come back to haunt him.
I have never said Stewie was dangerous, never. But why dont you admit that Malcolm was more dangerous that Barcia in Dallas, because he was and you wont admit it.. And re-read my post, I NEVER said you called Malcolm reckless, I said you were calling Barcia reckless. Read a little better... I wouldnt say anything if Stewie was riding like Barcia, because I dont feel Barcia did anything bad.
Look at the name of the video on the Malcolm and BAgle get 500 dollar fines page. It says, Malcolm takes out Bogle...
@bd200,, ahhhh, didnt you ask me a question ?? You asked --- "Do you call that reckless mxmofo??" I think you are the one that needs to re-reead your post... Unbeleivable.....
@bd200,, make sure you do your homework before you accuse others of not doing theirs,, ok ?
@mxmofo - I watched the Lites race 3 times. Barcia started 4th in his heat and the main, so 3 passes in each, with one repass required in each. Of the eight passes he made, I counted 2 where contact was made. In all other cases he was really close, perhaps too close, but did not make contact.
I did notice that in the bowl turns the lines came together in almost a v-shape, so if there was any passing going on, rides would naturally converge.
In one case, Barcia went straight up the bowl turn to keep someone from turning back underneath him to pass him back.
Was he very aggressive in riding close to other riders - I'd agree with that.
But since no one was taken out or fell down following a pass by Barcia - he was wreckless, but not reckless.
@mxmofo - I liked the picture of Hannah as well. It is a Paul Buckley photo taken ay Daytona I believe and is used with permission.
@ CR500AF,, I agree, he did not take anyone out, but riding like that, its bound to happen..
@bd200,,, are you ever going to respond ?? You always do that.. When someone catches you in a mistake, you just run away....
@mxmofo, you still never aswered my question--Was Malcolm more dangerous at Dallas than Barcia??
NO !!! Did you take some of your own advice and learn how to read ????
@bd200,, If you were able to read, you would have known that I answered your question yeasterday..
Bam Bam's the man! I'm digging all the N.Y. riders getting in the Big Show. I think Bam Bam was a Walden Playboy member, I was an Ace MX member since '73 but left N.Y. 20 + yrs. ago. As 'Mishoeye' was saying, the public riding areas are all but dryed up, gotta be a Club member just to get track time for practice. SUCKS. I trail ride now in Colorado till my ass goes numb, follow a little bit of Vintage MX. Barcia is just bringing back the days of the "Hurricane" That is Awesome in my book!
@mxmofo, respond to what. You said I always do that, do what?? And what mistake did you catch me in?? I dont see one.. You say Barcia was more dangerous than Malcolm, WOW REALLY??? There is NO WAY you really belive that, your just a die-hard Stewie fan, no matter which Stewie it is. And NO before you say it, I have no problem with Malcolm, read my other post on the contact with Bogle, I just dont think Barcia did anything so bad, like you guys act like he did..And the majority of the other people on here feel the same way as I do, you just take issue with me.
Barcia is awesome, he did not take anyone out but rode agressive enough to win.
If all you cry babies go back a few years you will see that KW was faster than RC. The reason KW, one of the most talented riders in the history of our sport, never won a chanpionship, except 125 SX, is because he was toooooooooo nice and not ageressive enough. CR said it "nice guys finish second"
In my opinion, from what I have seen from this guy, I really believe he could be "the next guy" and by that I mean the next record breaker. This kid hauls freakin a$$! The only negative thing I can say, is that by watching him, he is clearly "the guy" out there, and really has no need to be so aggresive. He can get a sub par start, and still win by just handling business. As much as I like seeing the BAM BAM in him come out, I am worried that the day will come when he is going to need to some other racers to be cooperative and that could haunt him... Just sayin, I would maybe race with a little different of a strategy If it were I out there. Then again, I ride for the love of it, and will never see the day where I am lucky enough to get paid to ride a dirt bike... I have been kinda lost, without having a favorite ever since Ricky retired, but the more I watch this kid, the more I think I may have found my next "guy" to root for. I just wish he would lose just a little more aggression. With his skills, I just don't see the need in it.
Barcia is just fine - the 250f class on a supercross or even outdoor track leads to aggressive riding. The horsepower is so equal on all the top 250f teams and the guys are getting 100% out of the bikes all the time. Barcia knows he belongs at the front and if block passing is what is needed to separate himself from the other top guys -seems fine to me. The racing is closer (better) than in the 450 class. Put these same exact riders on 450's = they would finish in the same order and Barcia would have won by 14-25 seconds and would have taken the lead on lap 2 instead of 7/halfway!
I hope Suzuki is saving up their pennies for Barcia 2013! He will be instant threat to win Championship in 450 class on Yellow or Red bike. I just think his riding style -much like Desalle in Europe- meshes better with the ZUK then with Big Red 450.