With the recent announcement that Davi Millsaps is retiring from the sport of professional supercross and motocross, it’s no surprise to see that Yamaha has decided to extend the contract of Justin Barcia to keep him on the Monster Energy Knich Yamaha factory racing team through the end of 2018.
Barcia joined the team to fill-in for Millsaps, and has since posted impressive results, with podium finishes in three of the five Monster Energy AMA Supercross run thus far, including a season-high runner-up finish at the opening round of the series, the 2018 Anaheim I Supercross. Barcia currently sits third in the 2018 Monster Energy AMA Supercross Series points standings as the series heads to San Diego, California, for round six of 17 this weekend. Here is the official press release from Yamaha:
Cypress, CA–February 8, 2018 –Justin Barcia, who is currently ranked third in the 2018 Monster Energy Supercross Championship, has been signed by Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A. (YMUS), to continue racing his #51 Yamaha YZ450F for the Monster Energy/Knich/Yamaha Factory Racing team throughout the remainder of the Supercross season, as well as the 2018 AMA Pro Motocross Championship, which begins in late May. The announcement was made by Keith McCarty, Motorsports Racing Division Manager for YMUS.
“We’re delighted to extend Justin’s contract through the completion of both the 2018 supercross and motocross seasons,” McCarty said. “Justin’s results aboard the all-new 2018 YZ450F have been as great as we hoped they would be. We knew when we signed him to the original six-race deal and saw how well he rode the new bike in testing, that it was the start of something special. We believe in Justin, and all of us at Yamaha are looking forward to his continued success with our factory team.”
Barcia commented, “When I first threw my leg over the 2018 factory YZ450F, I knew that I had a weapon with which to go for the Championship. I’m just super-happy and grateful to be with Monster Energy/Knich/Yamaha Factory Racing, and I’m glad that it’s now full steam ahead for the rest of the supercross season and through the motocross season, as well. I get along really well with everyone on the team, and knowing that I have the best team behind me gives me a ton of confidence!”
Barcia and his Monster Energy/Knich/Yamaha Factory Racing teammate Cooper Webb (#2) are getting ready for Round 6 of the 2018 Monster Energy Supercross Championship, which is this weekend in San Diego.
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