Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing Team’s Justin Barcia and Aaron Plessinger head to Las Vegas looking for a top result aboard the 2020 Yamaha YZ450F this Saturday, October 19, at the 2019 Monster Cup.
For the ninth year running, Supercross riders will line up at Sam Boyd Stadium for the one-off MEC event, which features a unique track design and offers the reward of one million dollars if anyone can sweep all three Main Events. This year, it gets kicked up a notch with a track that will be run in both directions.
After capping off the Pro Motocross season with a best overall finish of fifth, Barcia looks to keep that momentum rolling and end the year the way it started at Anaheim I – on the top step of the podium. The 27-year-old won the Monster Cup back in 2012 but is looking to take home the “Monster Million” this time around.
He and his team-mate Plessinger have been hard at work preparing for 2020 with the team and have made a lot of progress. Like Barcia, the rookie is feeling fit after coming back from his foot injury and is looking to take his first win on the 450.
Team manager Jim Perry: “With the 2019 season in the rearview mirror, the Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing Team has turned the focus and set our sights on a victory at the MEC event. Both Aaron and Justin have spent many days at the Corona test track with the team pushing the new 2020 YZ450F to its limits. Aaron and Justin have taken steps in the right direction since the season ended. Both are heathy, comfortable on the new bike and focused on putting three strong motos together to fight for the win this weekend in Vegas.”
Justin Barcia: “I’m really looking forward to the Monster Cup. After the outdoor season, I took off exactly 10 and half days for some “me time,” and then I went to California. I’ve been testing, training, riding, doing everything I can to be in the best physical and mental shape I can be in for the Monster Cup. A lot of good things have been happening inside the team that I feel are positive and I’m very happy about. The new 2020 Yamaha is a step in the right direction. We’ve got the bike working really well. It’s a winnable machine and I think I’m a winnable machine as well. We’re going there to try to win.”
Aaron Plessinger: “I’m feeling really good coming into Monster Cup. I came out to California mid-August and stayed for about a month and did a lot of testing, both Supercross and outdoors. I feel really good on the bike. I went home for my wedding and then got back out here on Monday. Tuesday was my first day back on the bike, and I felt really good.
“Justin’s looking awesome. He looks comfortable on the bike. I know I’m comfortable on the bike. So I think Yamaha is going to have a really good weekend and we’re going to come away with some really good results. I’m excited to see what the Monster Cup track holds for us. We’ll be riding that track frontwards, backwards, sideways and upside down. I’m excited for the weekend.”
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