2012 AMA Motocross Championship
Riders from the GEICO Honda stable are looking for a third straight overall 250cc victory in the Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship this Saturday at the High Point National.
Eli Tomac captured the Freestone National two weeks ago and Justin Barcia took the overall at the Thunder Valley National last weekend. Barcia said after some struggles early in the season, Thunder Valley just felt right.
Justin Barcia (GEICO Honda CRF250R Motocross) says: “It all came together for me in Denver and I felt really comfortable on the bike. I just need to keep working on my starts and do whatever I can to get out front. I feel like my fitness for the longer rides is there now and it should only get better.”
Tomac said he’s got confidence thanks to his recent rides and a podium at High Point a year ago.
Eli Tomac (GEICO Honda CRF250R Motocross) says: “I feel like my motos have been really solid lately. This track has a lot of hills and a lot of natural terrain. I feel like I do really good ad tracks like that.”
But Barcia warned that High Point always has a trick or two up its sleeve.
Justin Barcia says: “They change it up a little bit every year so we’ll all be on equal ground when we get there. No one’s been able to ride it the way it’s gonna be set up for this race. Hopefully, it’s not as hot as some of these other races have been and we’ll have another good race.”
Both Barcia and Tomac are in solid contention for the championship with three of 12 races already in the books. Barcia is in second and trails leader Blake Baggett by 16 points. Tomac is in fourth, 22 behind Baggett, but he’s only three behind Ken Roczen for third.
GEICO Honda’s third rider, Wil Hahn, is working to get into the top five in points himself. Hahn sits seventh, only 13 points behind fifth place rider Marvin Musquin. Hahn is coming off his best race of the season so far.
Wil Hahn (GEICO Honda CRF250R Motocross) says: “I’m feeling really good right now. I feel comfortable on the bike and I’m building on the successes I’ve had the past couple of weeks. I like the track at Mt. Morris. It’s a place where I feel I can race my best and keep working my way forward.”
Practice for the High Point National gets under way at 8:30 a.m. EDT on Saturday with opening ceremonies starting at 12:40 p.m. FUEL TV will air the first motos live starting at 1 p.m. EDT. The second motos will air on the NBC Sports Network starting at 5 p.m. EDT.
