Justin Barcia, a prominent figure in the Troy Lee Designs Red Bull GASGAS Factory Racing team, encountered a dramatic turn of events during the Los Angeles race on Saturday night. The 450SMX moto one saw Barcia momentarily leading the pack, only to be involved in a severe crash that led to a red flag being raised. The immediate aftermath of the fall was concerning, as Barcia appeared to be in significant discomfort while medical personnel attended to him.
More than two days post the incident, Barcia took to social media to update fans and followers about the extent of his injuries. He stated,
“Shit happens! We don’t know why but it all happens for a reason. Definitely down but not out! I am beyond excited for 2024. Currently, I have a few broken ribs, a bad broken collarbone, a beat-up lung, and a bit of air in my chest. Once the air clears its way out then we can get surgery and on the recovery train. Thanks for all the support.”
Justin Barcia
The broken collarbone is particularly concerning, given that Barcia had previously faced complications with a collarbone injury he sustained in Nashville in April. However, with Anaheim 1 being 102 days away, there’s a silver lining as Barcia has some time to recover and get back to his top form. Before his injury, Barcia had showcased commendable performance, notably clinching victory at the East Rutherford in the 2023 Monster Energy Supercross.
Earlier in the year, Barcia had signed a two-year extension with the Red Bull GASGAS Factory Racing team, ensuring his place in the team’s future. Alongside him, Pierce Brown will also be returning for the final year of his contract. The team will also welcome Ryder DiFrancesco, as they continue their pursuit of the coveted supercross title.