Image: Octopi Media.

A ‘much-needed’ podium provided a timely boost to Justin Barcia’s 2022 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship campaign as the Troy Lee Designs Red Bull GasGas rider scored a season-best result of third at RedBud.

The 30-year-old had a relatively quiet start to 450MX this year, only finishing inside the top five once prior to Michigan, which came in the first moto at High Point with P4.

A pair of good starts set Barcia up for a solid round at RedBud, as a fall in moto one meant eighth was the best he could manage before he crossed the line third in race two to secure an overall podium for the day.

“It was quite a wild day but a great day to be on the podium, it’s been a while and much-needed,” Barcia explained. “Qualifying wasn’t ideal but mentally I knew I could go fast and the boys made some great changes to the bike.

“First moto, I was running really well and had a big crash that bent my bars, so I just managed to bring it in for eighth, which isn’t ideal but I rode really well. Second moto, I got a great holeshot and battled with the boys, ending up P3 for third overall. It was a wild – but awesome – day!”

The number 51 spent time in Florida in the built-up to round five, a switch from doing preparation on the West coast close to TLD Red Bull GasGas in California.

“Definitely my goal is to be back in Florida,” Barcia added. “I have a baby on the way, we are definitely going to settle down in Florida, that is our plan.

“I will keep the house out in California because the team is out there and I find it beneficial to be out in California with the boys, build team morale and testing, things like that. My goal is to be back in Florida quite a bit, but I will go to California when the boys need me and make stuff happen.”

“It was nice to be back in Florida, I haven’t been back at my track in a couple of years and had it rebuilt, did some riding there and went back to MTF [Millsaps Training Facility] and did a little riding, it was cool to catch up with everybody.

“When you are having a good time, good riding, good vibes, it usually goes well, at least for me, so it was really good.”