Do Changes = Victories for Justin Barcia?
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Bam Bam has overhauled his entire program. Old dogs can learn new tricks.
Hopefully Justin Barcia’s new training stablemates love David Bowie. because Bam Bam has “Changes” on repeat in the locker room.
Barcia needed a serious shakeup because, statistically, 2024 was dismal. He had zero wins and, for the first time since 2019, only landed on a single podium (San Diego).
It was also the first time he completed a full 17-race SX season and didn’t snag at least three podiums.
He ended the year 8th overall.
Now 32, Barcia will start his 13th season of 450SX and even though he’s still riding for GasGas, nothing else is the same.
“We were chickens with our heads cut-off,” Barcia said, summing up the environment at Red Bull/TLD/GasGas during the 2024 season.
He cited team manager switches, bike issues, and his own health as reasons for the mayhem.
The GasGas racing program has gone back in house (to Pierer Mobility Group’s NA HQ) and refreshed as Rockstar Energy GasGas Factory Racing.
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Barcia will ride a GASGAS MC 450F Factory Edition with a completely new frame.
Notable Barcia Nuggets
- 6 career 450SX wins (hasn’t won two in the same season since 2013, his rookie season)
- 33 450SX podium finishes
- 165 450SX starts
Other Key Barcia Program Changes
- Moved to Clearwater, FL
- Training under the guidance of Aldon Baker (with Malcolm Stewart, Aaron Plessinger and RJ Hampshire
- New race mechanic: Jack Richards
- New practice mechanic: This will be the first time in Barcia’s career that his father wasn’t his practice mechanic. His father didn’t want to relocate.
- Second baby (boy) is scheduled (C-section) Feb. 16, the day after the Detroit Supercross.
- New companies: will run FMF pipes and Pro Taper bars.
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