Off The Gas: Justin Barcia Faces Forward 1

"I think that it is good for me – I need something different," Justin Barcia said, chewing on his future in the wake of his return to Pro Motocross. The 10-time 450SMX victor is, of course, referring to his looming exit from the GASGAS seat that he has occupied for five terms.

Troy Lee – whose race team operated within KTM's ecosystem for a decade – saw the potential in Barcia at the end of 2020, a term where he grappled with Yamaha's 'difficult' 450F and secured just five podiums in 29 starts. There was little doubt that the partnership would be effective. Barcia had established a brand as one of motocross' most exuberant stars; a personality that meshed well with Lee's vibrant, youth-driven portfolio.

The pairing clicked immediately. Barcia won on debut in 2021 and earned more supercross podiums in his first two seasons with GASGAS than he had in the previous six combined. Success started to fade when the MC 450F adopted a new frame – one that he battled to find comfort on – in 2024 and then Lee's departure in the same term further disrupted the foundation. GASGAS continued in tandem with the Husqvarna effort this year, honoring a contract with Barcia. The bikes may look the same, but the team dynamic has shifted.

"When Troy Lee parted ways with GASGAS and the KTM brand, I knew that there was no future for me," Barcia said, without hesitation. "It is fine. If it was Troy Lee Designs still, then I think that I would be happy, as it was almost like a separate team. They effectively made a team out of nothing here this year." That team is expected to disband less than one year after its inception, as GASGAS will reportedly be absorbed by Husqvarna and no longer compete in the SMX World Championship from 2026.

"I just never found comfort on the newer edition [of GASGAS' models]," Barcia continued in reflection. "I found it quite a lot on the old bike. I had some strong races and podiums. I have unfortunately not found it on this one. Unfortunately, with my knee injuries the last two years, I have been unable to test and the team moves onto other stuff when you are out. This is all positive for me. I am hard at work and will race in the United States in 2026 – I know that."

Options exist at Ducati Corse Off-Road – a new manufacturer that will be led by none other than Troy Lee – and some smaller satellite teams. Doors have opened within the FIM World Supercross Championship too, but Barcia is not quite prepared to sidestep the sport's most competitive landscape. "I still have my heart set on SMX," he chuckled. "If I wanted to do WSX, five races, make some decent money and then take the rest of the year off, I could do that. That is not where I am at in my career."

To clarify, where is he? In his 17th season as a professional, he has ambitions of returning to Pro Motocross' top three as he rebuilds himself after successive knee injuries. A future aboard Ducati's Desmo450 appears extremely likely – as does a reunion with Troy Lee, his former team owner, and Rick Zielfelder, the man who carried him into professional motocross some 17 years ago. A poetic conclusion to a disruptive two years.