GASGAS THANKS SAM SUNDERLAND AS RALLY-RAID STAR ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT

Thank you, Sam! It’s a bittersweet moment for GASGAS as we announce that our rally hero Sam Sunderland has decided to hang up his boots and retire from professional motorcycle racing. Sam’s journey with GASGAS and the company has been super successful, and we’re beyond proud of everything he has achieved with the team.

  • Sunderland to retire from professional motorcycle racing
  • Sam’s outstanding career included two world championships and two Dakar wins
  • Red Bull GASGAS Factory Racing wish Sam all the best for the future

Joining Red Bull GASGAS Factory Racing for the 2022 season, Sam kicked off his stint on the RX 450F with a bang by claiming victory in the 2022 Dakar Rally – the first ever win for GASGAS at the world’s toughest rally-raid. And that was just the beginning! Sam kept the momentum going with stellar performances at each FIM World Rally-Raid Championship round in 2022, ultimately clinching his second world championship title. What a year!

Sam first joined the company back in 2014, and during his time racing for the team he secured no less than two world championships and two Dakar victories, not to mention multiple stage and event wins along the way. Red Bull GASGAS Factory Racing couldn’t be more grateful for Sam’s passion, dedication, and sheer awesomeness he brought to every race. Sam will continue working with the team, using his vast experience in a support and development role. Thank you for everything, Sam, we’re already looking forward to working closely together again in the future!

Sam Sunderland: “It is with gratitude, humility, a bit of sadness, but without regret, that I announce my retirement from motorcycle racing after having a career that I dreamed of once upon a time. From winning two world championships to my two Dakar victories, it’s been an incredible run. I would like to thank everyone that has been a part of this chapter and I’m looking forward to staying close to the team and playing a part in supporting their race efforts in the future.”

Andreas Hölzl – Rally Team Manager: “We would like to say a massive thank you to Sam for his time with Red Bull GASGAS Factory Racing. I speak for the whole team when I say we’re sad to hear that Sam is retiring from racing, but we completely respect his decision and thank him for everything he has done for us over the years. Beyond being a phenomenal racer, Sam is a fantastic person – always supportive, motivating, and a true team player. He is a huge part of the GASGAS family, and we look forward to working with him again in new and exciting ways in the future.”

Pit Beirer – Motorsports Director: “Sam joined the company back in 2014, and since then his passion, dedication, and results have been exceptional. He not only secured two world championships and two Dakar victories, but he played a massive part in the successes of the whole team. Over the years, our relationship with Sam became stronger and stronger, and with his move to Red Bull GASGAS Factory Racing in 2022, he continued to make history. While it’s tough to see Sam go, we respect his decision. I’d like to personally thank Sam for everything he put into the team and wish him well for the future.”

KNEE INJURY SIDELINES JUSTIN BARCIA FOR SUPERCROSS REMAINDER

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Rockstar Energy GASGAS Factory Racing rider Justin Barcia will sit out the final three rounds of the 2025 AMA Supercross Championship as a result of a knee injury sustained in East Rutherford. BAMBAM to miss the final three rounds of Supercross Injury picked up in Round 14 at East Rutherford Sets his sights on healing up to be ready for Pro Motocross Barcia was in podium contention on his GASGAS MC 450F Factory Edition in his home race at MetLife Stadium until crashing in the Main Event's latter stages, with scans revealing he reaggravated a previous injury that will require a period on the sidelines to undergo therapy and rehab. Justin Barcia: "I’m extremely disappointed. Things were finally starting to click – I was feeling comfortable and had just a few laps to go in the Main Event at MetLife Stadium when I had a weird little crash that seemed to come out of nowhere. I had done the same thing every lap, but it just snuck up on me and these things happen sometimes. Unfortunately, I banged up my knee and aggravated an old injury, so I’ll need to take a couple of weeks off for therapy. The goal is to come back strong for the start of the motocross season. I’m definitely bummed. I was finally finding my flow and putting it all together, and then that mistake happened. I’m really going to miss my crew, the whole team, and all the fans, but I can’t wait to get back on the bike." Sean Murphy – Rockstar Energy GASGAS Factory Racing Team Manager: "It’s an unfortunate turn of events for Justin and the Rockstar Energy GASGAS Factory Racing Team. East Rutherford was shaping up to be his best finish of the season, and claiming a podium position in front of his hometown crowd would have made it even more special. Unfortunately, a late-race crash while running in podium contention resulted in a knee injury that will require a few weeks off the bike. We know Justin and the entire team will do everything possible to ensure he's ready for the start of the Pro Motocross season. It’s been a challenging year for the team with injuries, but we’re confident that Justin, Casey [Cochran], and Ryder [DiFrancesco] will be ready to compete at the highest level when the gate drops at Fox Raceway for Round 1 of the outdoor season." Barcia had been in solid form throughout the 2025 season, currently ranked seventh in the 450SX standings with a best result of P4 coming in Indianapolis. Despite his injury, he is aiming to contest the upcoming Pro Motocross Championship, commencing on May 24 in Pala, California.

ROCKSTAR ENERGY GASGAS FACTORY RACING'S JUSTIN BARCIA IN THE FIGHT AT EAST RUTHERFORD

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Rockstar Energy GASGAS Factory Racing standout Justin Barcia fell victim to a late incident in Round 14 of the 2025 AMA Supercross Championship at East Rutherford, having held onto a third-place podium position through the majority of tonight's 450SX Main Event. Justin Barcia displays front-running form at home race! BAMBAM held a podium position until three minutes remaining on the clock Now sits seventh place in 450SX standings with three to go New York native Barcia set the eighth-fastest time in qualifying onboard his GASGAS MC 450F Factory Edition, enjoying the comforts and familiarity of his home race at the famed MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. BAMBAM started well in his Heat Race, making a decisive pass into third place and holding the position to transfer into the evening's 450SX Main Event. The number 51 got off to a flying start in the Main Event, completing the first lap in fourth before making a quick pass into P3. It is there that he would remain for the majority of the race, having successfully fended off challenges from the riders in pursuit. However, it would all come undone with three minutes remaining on the clock, as Barcia went over the 'bars after hitting a soft spot in the whoops section. He would remount after straightening both he and the motorcycle out, crossing the line in P18. Justin Barcia: "Jersey was good today, I had a lot of fans and friends here – it was a lot of fun seeing people I hadn't seen in a long time! I was riding really well, I had a good qualifying session and scored P3 in the Heat Race. Main Event, AP [Aaron Plessinger] and I were battling for a while, then I think he made a mistake and I gapped him, then I hit a soft spot in the whoop section, which sent me into an endo. I'm a little tore up and bruised up, so we'll go home and try again next week. I feel like I'm saying that a lot lately, but dirt bikes are tough, so we'll come back next weekend and keep trying!" Next Race: April 26 – Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Results 450SX Class – East Rutherford 1. Chase Sexton (KTM) 2. Cooper Webb (Yamaha) 3. Aaron Plessinger (KTM) 6. Malcolm Stewart (Husqvarna) 18. Justin Barcia (Rockstar Energy GASGAS Factory Racing) Standings 450SX Class 2025 after 14 of 17 rounds 1. Cooper Webb, 300 points 2. Chase Sexton, 291 3. Ken Roczen, 255 5. Malcolm Stewart, 220 6. Aaron Plessinger, 206 7. Justin Barcia, 185

JUSTIN BARCIA SALVAGES 450SX POINTS IN CHALLENGING PHILADELPHIA ROUND

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Rockstar Energy GASGAS Factory Racing’s Justin Barcia endured a challenging night of competition at Round 13 of the 2025 AMA Supercross Championship in Philadelphia, displaying front-running pace throughout the event before finishing 14th place in the 450SX Main Event. Justin Barcia races to 14th place finish in Philadelphia BAMBAM manages issues throughout the race in moving forward Currently sits in seventh place in 450SX standings Barcia set the 11th-fastest time in qualifying equipped with his GASGAS MC 450F Factory Edition, navigating a circuit that heavy rain had impacted in the lead-up to race day. A mid-field start in the Heat Race saw BAMBAM steadily make his way through the pack, making a series of commanding passes that would earn the number 51 a third-place finish by race's end. In the premier class Main Event, Barcia launched out of the gates to take the lead on the opening lap, only for it to come unraveled right after the finish line jump. Salvaging positions from there after remouting in last position, Barcia would claim a hard-fought 14th-place finish and valuable points toward his championship tally. Justin Barcia: "Challenging day today! I hurt my finger pretty bad on Thursday, so I was lucky to be out here riding. Qualified 11th and then in the Heat Race we got third, which considering the circumstances was pretty good. Main Event, I launched out of the gate for a great start and then had a small issue with my rear brake there, which I managed for the rest of the race. Bummer deal, but we’ll try again next weekend at my hometown race in New Jersey.” Next Race: April 19 – East Rutherford, New Jersey Results 450SX Class – Philadelphia 1. Chase Sexton (KTM) 2. Cooper Webb (Yamaha) 3. Ken Roczen (Suzuki) 4. Malcolm Stewart (Husqvarna) 8. Aaron Plessinger (KTM) 14. Justin Barcia (Rockstar Energy GASGAS Factory Racing) Standings 450SX Class 2025 after 13 of 17 rounds 1. Cooper Webb, 278 points 2. Chase Sexton, 266 3. Ken Roczen, 240 4. Malcolm Stewart, 204 6. Aaron Plessinger, 184 7. Justin Barcia, 181