[ K. Windham | T. Canard | B. Metcalfe | B. Wharton | J. Barcia | E. Tomac ]

Born: March 25, 1992, Monroe, New York Residence: Ochlocknee, Georgia National #: 17 Began riding: 1997, age 5 First race: 1999, age 7 Training: Weight training, road cycling, motocross Hobbies: Fishing Height/weight: 5'8"/145 pounds Marital status: Single Current racebike: Honda CRF250R Mechanic: Mike Tomlin

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Profile: Justin Barcia

Justin Barcia is redefining the phrase "serious contender." The 17-year-old rider burst onto the professional Motocross scene in 2009--following a hugely successful and dominant amateur racing career--by taking the overall win at the Moto-X 338 National and scoring nine podium finishes in his professional Motocross racing debut. He may be a new kid on the block with the GEICO Powersports Honda team, but he is anything but a newcomer to racing-or to Hondas.

"I've had a solid amateur racing career and won a lot of titles over the years on my Honda CRF250R, which I'm really proud of," says Barcia. "When I turned pro at the outdoor nationals in 2009 and lined up on the start line, I was next to guys I have looked up to my entire life--it was a little daunting. But each week I got stronger and worked out how to compete with the top guys at their own race and eventually beat them all to get my first overall round win. I put everything I had into the season and scored some great results."

After a successful 2009 Motocross series debut, the lightning-fast racer is shifting his focus toward racing professional Supercross for the first time and doing it in front of tens of thousands of people.

"I'm pumped to race Supercross this year. I won a few Supercross events as an amateur, but the professional tracks are a whole different beast to battle. The Lites class is stacked with fast, talented, young racers, so I'll be laying it all on the line each week. Learning to race in front of thousands of screaming fans will be different though."

In 2010, Barcia's talents couldn't be in better hands as former Motocross champion and longtime Factory Connection racing icon Mike LaRocco joins GEICO Powersports Honda as Team Manager.

"To have Mike LaRocco as Team Manager is just awesome. For a good 10 to 15 years, Mike was among the top competitors in the sport and his relationship with the team goes way back. He understands what we as racers need to perform at our best, and it's awesome to be able to go to him and get advice. When we are at the test track riding and I'm trying to explain something about the bike, Mike has on occasion ridden my bike. It's great to have someone so knowledgeable overseeing what we do, but it also means I have to be at the top of my game or he will call me out."

The easygoing Barcia has a reputation for being blistering-fast on the track, but he believes much of that reputation is owed to his success racing a bike he feels good on.

"I've been riding and winning on Hondas for years because they just feel so good to ride. The new CRF250R is amazing! I thought my racebike last year was great, but when I rode the new bike for the first time I was blown away. I love the fuel injection and am really excited to see what I can do in competition next season."

Questions & Answers:

Q: Last year you made your professional racing debut in the Motocross Lites series and racked up eight podium finishes including the overall win at Southwick. Describe your first year of professional racing.

A: I've had a solid amateur racing career and won a lot of titles over the years on my Honda CRF250R, which I'm really proud of. When I turned pro at the outdoor nationals in 2009 and lined up on the start line next to guys that I have looked up to my entire life it was a little daunting. But each week I got stronger and worked out how to race the top guys at their own race and eventually beat them all to get my first overall round win. I put everything I had into the season and scored some great results.

Q: You've raced some Supercross events during your days as an amateur. What are your expectations for professional Supercross racing?

A: I'm pumped to race Supercross this year. I won a few Supercross events as an amateur but the professional tracks are a whole different beast to battle. The Lites class is stacked with fast, talented, young racers like myself so I'll be laying it all on the line each week. My plan is to race my own race and see what happens. That was how I approached the Motocross series last year and it seemed to work pretty well for me so that's what I plan on doing again this time. Learning to race in front of thousands of screaming fans will be different though.

Q: You have ridden Honda's CRF250R since your amateur days and have years' of experience riding the bike. Does knowing your equipment so well make your transition into professional racing a smooth change?

A: I've been riding and winning on Hondas for years because they just feel so good to ride. The CRF250R just suits my style. Riding the same bike that I've been riding for years made turning pro a lot less intimidating for me last year. I'm completely comfortable on the CRF250R and I know how to ride it to get the most out of the bike. The new CRF250R is amazing too! I thought my race bike last year was great but when I rode the new bike for the first time I was blown away. I love the fuel injection and am really excited to see what I can do in competition this season.

Q: How does it feel to have multi-time champion racer Mike LaRocco watching over you as GEICO Powersports Honda Team Manager?

A: To have Mike LaRocco as Team Manager is just awesome. For a good 10-15 years Mike was among the top competitors in the sport and his relationship with the team goes way back. He understands what we as racers need to perform at our best and it's awesome to be able to go to him and get advice. When we are at the test track riding and I'm trying to explain something about the bike, Mike on occasions, will jump on and ride my bike. It's great to have someone so knowledgeable overseeing what we do but it also means I have to be at the top of my game or he will call me out.

Q: What role did Ziggy, Jeff and the Factory Connection program play in helping you make the transition into professional racing with the GEICO Powersports Honda team?

A: I've been with Ziggy and Factory Connection since the beginning, and he has guided me up through the pack competing at amateur national races. It's great to have such a strong relationship for so long, and be able to continue it into the professional ranks. The whole GEICO Powersports Honda team has been very supportive. Because of their amateur support program they understand where we come from and what we have to go through to make it as a pro. They began the grooming process a few years ago with me to make my transition as smooth as possible and it certainly has been very smooth so far.

Statistics

2009
5th AMA Motocross Lites Series

2008
1st GNC International Finals - 99-125 Schoolboy 12-16 Mod, 99-250F Schoolboy 12-16 Mod, 99-250F Schoolboy 12-16 Stock
1st NMA World Mini Grand Prix - 125 2-Stroke Non-Pro, 125/250 Schoolboy Thru 16 Non-Pro, 250 Mod Intermediate
1st AMA Amateur National Motocross Championships - MX Lites B Stock
1st Winter National Olympics - 250A ProAm Mod, 250A ProAm Stock

2007
1st Lake Whitney AMA Spring Classic - 85cc 14-15 Mod
1st GNC International Finals - 125-150 4-Stroke 12-15, 85 14-15 Stk, Supermini 85-150 Thru 15
1st NMA World Mini Grand Prix - 85-150 Mod 14-16

2006
1st AMA Amateur National Motocross Championships - 85cc Stock (12-13)
1st Winter National Olympics - 85cc 12-13 Supercross

2005
1st NMA World Mini Grand Prix - 85 Mod 12-13
1st AMA Amateur National Motocross Championships - 85cc Stock (12-13), 85cc Modified (12-13)