Source: Supplied.

The Monster Energy/Knich/Yamaha Factory Racing Team has confirmed Justin Barcia will step in for Davi Millsaps during the first six rounds of the 2018 Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship.

Millsaps had surgery last week due to complications with his left elbow that he fractured in early October while practicing for the Monster Energy Cup, which forced the factory teem to source a fill-in rider ahead of the season-opener in January.

Barcia, who was left without a ride following his 2017 campaign, says it’s a great opportunity for him and that he’s happy to be back on Yamaha, which he last raced aboard in 2016 with the JGR squad before they switched to Suzuki.

“First of all, I wish Davi well in his recovery,” said Barcia. “This is a great opportunity for me, and I’m really happy to be back with Yamaha again, and especially to be racing for the Yamaha Factory team. I’m proud to have my number 51 on the brand-new 2018 YZ450F, and A1 can’t come soon enough for me.”

Motorsports Racing Division manager for Yamaha Motor Corporation USA Keith McCarty says that anything beyond Barcia’s contracted six rounds is dependant on Millsaps’ condition, which will continue to be monitored in the coming months.

“Davi’s injury still needs time to heal properly,” McCarty commented. “And we don’t want to risk making the situation worse by having him start the season when he is not completely ready. So, Justin Barcia has been contracted to race for what we anticipate will be the first six Monster Energy Supercross rounds. Anything beyond that is still dependent on Davi’s condition, and his fitness to race.

Barcia contested this year’s Monster Energy Cup aboard a privateer Honda, where he finished up sixth overall. The former 250SX champion will be joined by Cooper Webb in his second year with the team, who has also just returned from a thumb injury.