Justin Barcia on Daytona | Vital MX Interview 6

Justin Barcia of Troy Lee Designs Red Bull GASGAS Factory Racing has had a rather successful season, despite the fact that the results sheet doesn't quite paint that picture. Poor luck has followed Barcia across 2023 Monster Energy Supercross and, unfortunately, Daytona was no different. There were a handful of highs and lows, but he ultimately ended in fourth (his best result since round two) and had the quickest lap in the main. This interview is available in audio, written and video form with thanks to DeCal Works.

Vital MX: I think it was pretty clear that you wanted to get yourself back in the fight tonight, but it did not quite go your way. The intensity and speed were there though.

Justin Barcia: Yeah, I was riding really well today. It is hot! I was pouring sweat after that main event and a little bit heated still. Yeah, man. I had a very good heat race – I did not get the best start but I had some pretty fast lap times. I got a pretty good start in the main event, fourth, and had the speed over Chase [Sexton]. He bobbled, cross jumped before the triple and then put me off the track. Was it intentional? No. Was it sketchy? Yes. He hit neutral in that off-camber corner, then I had a little bit of room and went for it. He kind of cross jumped, landed on me and I crashed. Was it intentional? No. Two times kind of frustrates me though. We are friends and still will be. He did not do it on purpose, but… We have all been there. Cross jumping is not cool and I know that he did not do it on purpose. It was a rough track, so he was fatigued and I was faster. Maybe I should have waited, but I saw an opportunity and went for it. There was nothing I could do the first time, but maybe I should have checked up the second time? That is not really my style.

It would have been one thing to be patient and wait for third, but Eli [Tomac] and Cooper [Webb] were getting away in front of him. It looked like your pace would have let you go with them.

I think so! I felt really well and the bike was really good, to be honest. The whole team did a great job today. We made no changes for the first weekend probably ever. I am really happy. This showed that my speed is good and the starts were better. Like I said, I know Chase did not do that stuff on purpose. I did not yell at him after the race. I was like, "Dude, come on!" It is cool. Sh*t happens and there are a lot of positives from this weekend. My bike was good on a rough track and I really like Indianapolis!

We have been talking about the same three guys, but it looks like you can get back into it now.

Yeah, it felt good. I broke Jason [Anderson] and had the speed to pass Chase. That was good. Blood in the water, for sure. There is going to be a lot of fast guys every weekend. You never let up in this sport.