Image: Octopi Media.

The Troy Lee Designs Red Bull GasGas team will head to Unadilla down two riders, as Justin Barcia and Michael Mosiman are both set to miss round eight of the season.

After finishing inside the top five in the last three rounds of the 2021 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship, including a win at Spring Creek in mid-July, the team confirmed Barcia will miss round eight of the championship this weekend.

While it’s not reported exactly what is ailing the lone GasGas factory 450 rider, a big crash in a practice session during the three-week break in the series has put him on the sidelines for at least one race.

“I’m definitely disappointed to say I won’t be heading to Unadilla this weekend,” Barcia explained. “I’m a New York guy and it’s one of my favorite races – but I want to make sure I’m going there to win and if I’m not able to do that, I need to take my time and get back to 100%.

“I’m definitely going to miss the whole team there, all the supportive fans and of course being on the gate and racing for those wins but I’ll see everyone very soon.”

The team also confirmed that a practice crash in a separate session for Mosiman will see him miss the upcoming race. While his condition is only described as ‘pretty banged up,’ Mosiman is aiming to return for Budds Creek’s round nine.

“I am super bummed that I’m not going to be able to race Unadilla, I was looking forward to it and felt really good,” Mosiman explained. “I feel like I’ve got a lot of momentum at my back right now but I’m going to take the time to heal up 100% and be right so I can race at the front of the pack.

“I’ve already missed a race and I’m out for the championship so it’s better for me to race at 100% than to go and try to salvage at less than that. We’ll come back stronger hopefully very soon.”

The team will continue on this weekend with Pierce Brown in the 250MX class, where he’ll look to continue his momentum after a breakout fifth-place overall in round seven at Washougal.