There is no underestimating the value of consistency as a new series leader emerged after round two of the AMA Supercross Championships in California at the weekend.
GasGas Factory Racing’s Justin Barcia established himself as a steady front-runner and the series leader after another third-place finish at Oakland SX.
As the only 450SX rider to make two podium appearances in as many rounds, Barcia’s consistency has earned him the early points lead and red number plate on his GasGas MC450F.
The 450cc class winner on the night was new Monster Energy Kawasaki signing Jason Anderson, followed past the chequered flag by Red Bull KTM’s Aaron Plessinger and then Barcia.
Barcia had a slower start to the day with 13th in qualifying but he was on the gas when the gate dropped for the first bout of racing.
Grabbing a top-five start in the heat race, Barcia charged up to fourth early on to position himself for a podium battle later in the race. He made it happen with two laps to go, securing a top-three finish in the heat race.
In the Main Event, Barcia grabbed a top-five start and worked his way into fourth early on.
Racing just outside a multi-rider battle for the lead, Barcia patiently waited for his moment to attack and he moved into third just before the midway point.
Riding smooth and steady through the checkers, Barcia secured his second-straight podium in Oakland.
“I was just riding my race and having fun out there. I got a little tight in the middle but I was able to regroup,” said Barcia afterwards.
“I saw Eli Tomac coming so I knew I needed to put the hammer down and I really wanted those two in front of me but they rode awesome, Aaron Plessinger and Jason Anderson. I want to dedicate this race to Fed [Ryan Fedorow], he unfortunately passed away last week, so this is for him and I feel like he would be proud of me tonight. I can’t thank the whole team enough. We’re going to keep coming up here, it was fun tonight!”
In the 250 class, round two was a similar story to the opening round, with Yamaha’s Christian Craig putting in a flawless display to take his second win of the season.
Australia rider, Honda HRC’s Hunter Lawrence, made it through to finish runner-up and now it’s Craig, Lawrence and Kawasaki’s Seth Hammaker 1-2-3 in the standings after two rounds.
Racing will continue next Saturday, January 22, with Round 3 in San Diego, California.
Photo courtesy GasGas
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450 Round Results
- Jason Anderson (Kawasaki)
2. Aaron Plessinger (KTM)
3. Justin Barcia (GasGas)
4. Eli Tomac (Yamaha)
5. Malcolm Stewart (Husqvarna)
6. Dylan Ferrandis (Yamaha)
7. Cooper Webb (KTM)
8. Marvin Musquin (KTM)
9. Chase Sexton (Honda)
10. Dean Wilson (Husqvarna)
11. Joey Savatgy (KTM)
12. Adam Cianciarulo (Kawasaki)
13. Ken Roczen (Honda)
14. Shane McElrath (KTM)
15. Max Anstie (KTM)
16. Brandon Hartranft (Suzuki)
17. Alex Martin (Yamaha)
18. Kyle Chisholm (Yamaha)
19. Justin Starling (GasGas)
20. Josh Hill (KTM)
21. Joan Cros (Kawasaki)
22. Justin Bogle (Suzuki)
450 Standings After Round 2
- Justin Barcia 42
2. Jason Anderson 39
3. Cooper Webb 39
4. Aaron Plessinger 37
5. Ken Roczen 36
6. Eli Tomac 36
7. Marvin Musquin 34
8. Malcolm Stewart 34
9. Chase Sexton 32
10. Joey Savatgy 27
11. Dylan Ferrandis 24
12. Dean Wilson 24
13. Adam Cianciarulo 23
14. Max Anstie 17
15. Shane McElrath 14
16. Brandon Hartranft 13
17. Justin Brayton 10
18. Mitchell Oldenburg 8
19. Alex Martin 6
20. Justin Starling 6
250 Round Results
- Christian Craig (Yamaha)
2. Hunter Lawrence (Honda)
3. Seth Hammaker (Kawasaki)
4. Michael Mosiman (GasGas)
5. Nate Thrasher (Yamaha)
6. Vince Friese (Honda)
7. Jo Shimoda (Kawasaki)
8. Garrett Marchbanks (Yamaha)
9. Chris Blose (GasGas)
10. Robbie Wageman (Yamaha)
11. Dilan Schwartz (Suzuki)
12. Cole Thompson (Yamaha)
13. Carson Brown (KTM)
14. Carson Mumford (Suzuki)
15. Devin Harriman (KTM)
16. Ryan Surratt (Yamaha)
17. Logan Karnow (Kawasaki)
18. Hunter Schlosser (Yamaha)
19. Dylan Woodcock (Husqvarna)
20. Dominique Thury (Yamaha)
21. Gared Steinke (KTM)
22. Jerry Robin (GasGas)
250 Championship Standings After Round 2
- Christian Craig 52
2. Hunter Lawrence 44
3. Seth Hammaker 44
4. Michael Mosiman 36
5. Vince Friese 35
6. Garrett Marchbanks 34
7. Jo Shimoda 32
8. Nate Thrasher 29
9. Robbie Wageman 28
10. Chris Blose 26
11. Carson Mumford 22
12. Dilan Schwartz 20
13. Cole Thompson 20
14. Dominique Thury 17
15. Ryan Surratt 14
16. Logan Karnow 11
17. Carson Brown 10
18. Mitchell Harrison 10
19. Devin Harriman 9
20. Hunter Schloosser 9