The Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing Team started off the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship with two solid finishes on the rides from Justin Barcia and Dean Ferris at the Hangtown Motocross Classic outside Sacramento. Barcia, who was coming back from injury and still isn’t 100 percent, managed to put in two solid motos to finish seventh overall (8-7). Interim rider Dean Ferris adjusted well to the new team and his first time at Hangtown, posting ninth overall (11-8) on his Yamaha YZ450F.
After sitting out the final few races of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross, Barcia was back and ready to see what he could do in a race situation. The time away from the track didn’t seem to phase him as he nearly grabbed the opening moto holeshot. Barcia tried to maintain the fast pace at the front, finishing eighth after 30 minutes plus two laps. The second moto was all about survival as the rain had started prior to the gate drop. He managed to avoid costly mistakes and finish seventh in Moto 2 to score seventh overall.
With Aaron Plessinger still on the sidelines, Yamaha called upon Ferris to fill in for the rookie. The multi-time Australian Motocross champ adapted well to the Hangtown circuit. His opening moto forced him to make his way through the pack after a top-15 start, but managed to get up to 11th. Conditions in Moto 2 continued to deteriorate so thankfully Ferris was able to get a decent start in the top 10 and went to work, making it up to eighth.
The Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing Team will head to Fox Raceway in Pala, California for the second stop of the championship on Saturday, May 25.
Justin Barcia
Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing
“I haven’t been able to ride too much and this was the first day doing a 30-minute moto so I think it was a good day. I just wanted to get through it, let alone be in the top 10 all day, so that was nice. In the first moto I got a good start but got shuffled back to eighth. The second moto it was really coming down. It was difficult on my wrists for sure. We have some work to do but I’m glad to get through the first one and wasn’t even expecting a top 10. I obviously want to be up there, I just know it will take some time. We’ll put in the work.”
Dean Ferris
Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing
“I’d say the day started really slow but we reverted back a bit to what we knew. I messed up my start a little in the first moto and had to come through the pack. Toward the end I found my pace. I had a better start in the second moto but it was chaotic with the mud and rain. The track was treacherous with the rain, but I think eighth (from Moto 2) was where I should have been today. I’m sure round by round we’ll keep improving.”
2019 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship 450 Class Hangtown Results
1. Ken Roczen (1-2)
2. Eli Tomac (4-1)
3. Jason Anderson (2-5)
4. Zach Osborne (5-3)
5. Cooper Webb (3-6)
6. Marvin Musquin (7-4)
7. Justin Barcia (8-7)
8. Blake Baggett (6-10)
9. Dean Ferris (11-8)
10. Justin Bogle (10-9)
2019 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship 450 Class Standings
1. Ken Roczen 47
2. Eli Tomac 43
3. Jason Anderson 38
4. Zach Osborne 36
5. Cooper Webb 35
6. Marvin Musquin 32
7. Justin Barcia 27
8. Blake Baggett 26
9. Dean Ferris 23
10. Justin Bogle 23
Jim Perry
Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing Team Manager