Will Justin Barcia go undefeated this season on the east side? Swizzle and I debate it.
Will Justin Barcia go undefeated this season on the east side? Swizzle and I debate it.
Will Justin Barcia Sweep the East?
Swizzle- What a perplexing question. Recently I wrote that Ken Roczen was the “Ivan Drago of SX2 East and was going to Apollo Creed the field”. Well, three races in and I’m going to throw caution to the wind and claim hell yes, Justin Barcia is going to sweep the series. Obviously the odds are stacked against me with each passing week but the focus displayed thus far by Triple-B actually leaves me feeling very confident.
Ken Roczen was hyped as the guy to challenge Justin on the dawn of the East series but he’s struggled with a few things. Last week when he found himself in second, the chances of him changing position were more likely down the podium than up. Is Ken Roczen as ready as we all assumed he would be?
Darryn Durham has a silky-smooth, fluid style that seemingly everyone loves. While he has the skills to pull down a win, he hasn’t shown the type of aggression or urgency that I think will be necessary to stop the Barcia streak.
There are a host of others who could very well spoil Justin’s party but in all honesty I think it all comes down to Justin attacking each race like his life depends on it. Actually no, he attacks them like his Mom’s life depends on it. He looks more focused than ever, dare I say the Jeremy McGrath of 2012 SX2 East?
Yes I do.
Matthes- Oh Swizzle, have you heard of riders like Jeremy McGrath, James Stewart, Chad Reed and Tim Ferry? Of course you have. And you’d agree with me that these riders (among others) occupy some of the rarified air with the legends of the sport. Ready for me to drop some knowledge on you? Well all the above names and everyone who’s ever raced 125/250/Lites supercross except for a guy named Ricky Carmichael have never swept a regional supercross series.
Yep and RC, who rode in the class for three years was only able to sweep the series in his last year when he was clearly head and heels better than everyone else. His first two formative years? Some serious speed but no sweeps. Yes, I admire you going out on that limb and declaring that Barcia will sweep (much like me going out on another limb and saying James Stewart will win Daytona) the series because as you said, the odds don’t favor you. But still, bold proclamations aside, you’re high or drunk (or maybe both) if you think Bam-Bam is going to sweep. Clearly you’ve forgotten about the German or BB Gun or DDT or Mookie or…
Swizzle- Yeah, I’ll say it, Bam Bam is better than all of those guys… on a SX2 bike (saved my ass). It’s true though, put any of those guys in their prime on a little bike and Justin is better today. It’s just progress, the way of the world. Not a slam on any of those legends. Justin is going to sweep this series and if he doesn’t it’s going to be due mechanical failure. I’m still sticking with the sweep though, if for no other reason, Stanton wills it to be and you don’t eff with Stanton.
Ever.
Matthes- Well yeah, I agree with the last part. If Jeff Stanton, who is our Chuck Norris wants it to happen, then it will. But no, in all seriousness, Swizzle’s finally crushed too many pixels and he’s gone completely nuts. I like Barcia, I’ve been one of his admirers because of his riding style and his nuttiness with other riders (although he’s pushed it too far at times), he’s a chip off the old block for sure but there’s no way he’s going to do something that only RC did. There’s too much talent on the east side to say with certainty that he’s going to do it. I will say this though, this coming weekend in Daytona is going to be key. If he goes there and continues to stomp over everyone, well then he just may do that. I say his streak ends this weekend in Daytona. And I say that Ken Roczen does it.
Stamp it.
