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Two Perspectives: The Barcia Breakdown

Apr 2

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As a reigning champion you hold a certain responsibility. Sponsors, fans and especially kids are consistently watching your every action in how you handle certain situations in life and in racing. This is a responsibility that most take seriously, but in the heat of the moment Justin Barcia lost his cool.

On the final lap of the Houston Lites main event Barcia crossed lines with privateer Lance Vincent in the air, sending both riders hard to the ground. This crash cost Barcia the race win, but he was still able to finish second behind Ken Roczen, creating no damage to the Geico Honda rider’s points lead.

Those who watched the race got to witness a moto melt down following the conclusion of the race. Barcia would roost Roczen (who had nothing to do with the incident), then would ride over to the injured Vincent and give him a very angry piece of his mind. Barcia would follow up his irrational freak out with a solid doughnut sending a spray of Texas roost not just on Vincent, but some Asterix Medical crew members as well. And finish up the night expressing his frustration on the podium with a tear in his eyes.

The AMA would fine Barcia $5,000 (mainly for roosting Asterix personnel) and would have loads of apologies to his fans and sponsors. But lets take a look at the other side and ask; would you have lost your cool?

With a perfect race under way it looked as if Barcia would be the third Lites rider in history to have repeated wins at Houston SX, joining Kevin Windham and Christophe Pourcel, until a mistake was made that should have never happened.

It is a lapped riders responsibility to pull to the side and let the race leaders safely pass by when the blue flag is being waved. From one perspective, Lance Vincent failed to do so and still tried to pace with the leader. He then collided with Barcia’s line (who was clearly in front Vincent) taking both of them out.

So who is in the wrong? Yes, Barcia let his emotions take the best of him, causing him to act out like a three-year-old who just got their favorite toy taken away; but is it his fault for the crash? Should he get the fine of the full $5,000 and Vincent be fined nothing for ignoring the blue flag? Either way the deed is done and Barcia will most likely go on his way to win his second consecutive Lites Supercross Champion; but I do have a feeling this wont be the last time we see a Bam Bam Barcia scuffle.

 

 

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A Month of Madness

Jan 30

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Four weeks down, four different riders, four different colors. The 2012 AMA Monster Energy Supercross Series is proving to be one of the most relentless seasons to date.

As expected former champions Ryan Villopotto, Ryan Dungey, James Stewart and Chad Reed have found a way to grind through the competition and make it to the top of the podium, while other fan favorites Nick Wey, Josh Grant and Broc Tickle have found making a main event a difficult task in it self. With the Supercross class becoming more competitive than ever, one mistake could cost the race and/or championship.

History has been made within the first four weeks of the 2012 season. Ryan Villopoto has now won back-to-back A1’s and Ryan Dungey took home Austrian brand KTM their first American Supercross win. Though these accomplishments bring ultimate highs for these racers in the first few weeks, there have also been potential championship killing incidents.

They say you win your championships on your worse of days and at Dodger stadium on January 21, Villopotto had a potentially horrible day. Making a minor mistake that would send him off the track and into a dance with a tuff block, Villopoto found himself second-to-last and far from the pack. Villopoto would fight through 13 riders, ending up just feet away from a podium position.

One week later Villopoto earned poll position in Oakland, and coming up off an impressive performance in Los Angeles, most would say the Washington native was the favorite to win. The night of January 28, Supercross fans were reminded that you could never bet on this sport.

A clean start for the series favorites would set the stage for one of the closest races of the series. Within the first five laps of the race Reed, Villopoto and Stewart were set for battle. Halfway through the race, Stewart would make a move for the lead on Reed and would walk away, while Reed and Villopoto would battle hard for second.

Holding onto second is just what the two time Supercross champion, Chad Reed, needed to take the points lead as the series heads back to Anaheim. Consistent starts and rides have always been the Australians key to his success. Though never the fastest in practice, Reed seems to be on another level during the race. Does Reed have what it takes to maintain the points lead and make a run to the top of the podium at A2? Or will Stewart, Dungey or Villopoto be the first to get their second win of the season?

 

 

2012 AMA Monster Energy Supercross Points Standings

1.         Ryan Dungey 85pts. KTM

Chad Reed 85pts. Hon

2.         Ryan Villopoto 83pts. Kaw

3.         James Stewart 73pts. Yam

4.         Jake Weimer 61pts. Kaw

5.         Kevin Windham 58pts. Hon

6.         Andrew Short 52pts. Hon

7.         Josh Hansen 47pts. Kaw

8.         Brett Metcalfe 45pts. Suz

9.         Davi Millsaps 42pts. Yam

10.       Mike Alessi 38pts. Suz

11.       Justin Brayton 37pts. Hon

12.       Kyle Chisholm 34pts. Kaw

13.       Broc Tickle 30pts. Kaw

14.       Ivan Tedesco 21pts. Kaw

15.       Nick Wey 16pts. Kaw

16.       Trey Canard 14pts. Hon

17.       Weston Peick 10pts. Kaw

18.       Kyle Partridge 10pts. Kaw

19.       Chris Blose 9pts. Kaw

 

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