Rockstar Energy GASGAS Factory Racing’s Justin Barcia made a welcome return to racing in Round 5 of the 2025 AMA Pro Motocross Championship at today's Southwick National, putting forward an impressive first appearance of the outdoor season to claim ninth overall in 450MX.
- Justin Barcia returns to competition at Southwick!
- BAMBAM immediately back inside the top 10 at Round 5
- Casey Cochran unfortunately sidelined for the weekend
Equipped with the RED-hot GASGAS MC 450F Factory Edition, BAMBAM returned to the sandy Massachusetts venue following an extended time on the sidelines due to a knee injury sustained late in the Supercross series.
In displaying his ever-consistent front-running potential, Barcia powered to a hard-fought P10 in Moto 1, before running inside the top-five during the early stages of Moto 2. Still building endurance after his time out injured, the number 51 would finish P9 in the race and overall.
Justin Barcia: "Today was challenging! It was good to be back with the crew and the team. I wouldn’t say it was a fun day because Southwick is pretty brutal! The fans are awesome, so that was a positive, and a top 10 is not too bad after coming straight from therapy. We’ll take it, and we’ve got some things to build on, so that is good. I ripped a good start in Moto 2, so I was happy with that, I showed some grit, and now onto RedBud!"
In 250MX, Ryder DiFrancesco posted the 11th fastest qualifying time onboard his GASGAS MC 250F Factory Edition, before a tough opening encounter left him in 22nd position at race's end. Rebounding in Moto 2, DiFrancesco would be in the fight for the top 10, eventually claiming a P13 moto score for 15th overall.
Ryder DiFrancesco: “Qualifying was better here, but I need to be better with racing on the weekends, taking what I learn during the week and applying it to the weekend. I finally got a good start in the second Moto, and we’ll carry that into RedBud.”
Southwick unfortunately resulted in 250MX talent Casey Cochran missing both motos after suffering a dislocated shoulder in an incident during the second qualifying session. He had earlier posted the ninth-quickest time this morning, and is now scheduled to undergo further evaluation on his injury this week.
Sean Murphy, Rockstar Energy GASGAS Factory Racing Team Manager: "It was very unfortunate that Casey crashed during qualifying, resulting in a dislocated shoulder. He’s shown great potential so far this motocross season, and it’s tough to see him have to sit out at Southwick. We’re grateful to the Alpinestars medical crew for doing their best to get his shoulder back in safely. Casey will undergo an MRI next week and we’re hoping to have a clearer picture of the injury by the middle of the week."
Next Race: July 5 – Red Bud, Michigan
Results 450MX Class – Southwick National
1. Jett Lawrence (Honda)
2. Hunter Lawrence (Honda)
3. Eli Tomac (Yamaha)
6. RJ Hampshire (Husqvarna)
7. Aaron Plessinger (KTM)
9. Justin Barcia (Rockstar Energy GASGAS Factory Racing)
10. Malcolm Stewart (Husqvarna)
Standings 450MX Class 2025 after 5 of 11 rounds
1. Jett Lawrence, 240 points
2. Eli Tomac, 202
3. Hunter Lawrence, 197
4. Aaron Plessinger, 188
6. RJ Hampshire, 149
11. Malcolm Stewart, 82
21. Justin Barcia, 21
Results 250MX Class – Southwick National
1. Haiden Deegan (Yamaha)
2. Tom Vialle (KTM)
3. Levi Kitchen (Kawasaki)
15. Ryder DiFrancesco (Rockstar Energy GASGAS Factory Racing)
21. Julien Beaumer (KTM)
Standings 250MX Class 2025 after 5 of 11 rounds
1. Haiden Deegan, 244 points
2. Jo Shimoda, 186
3. Tom Vialle, 165
13. Julien Beaumer, 91
14. Casey Cochran, 88
16. Ryder DiFrancesco, 65