Canard moving to top tier of Supercross in Indianapolis; Barcia, Metcalfe join fray

INDIANAPOLIS (Feb. 17) -- Winning two of the last three races on the Monster Energy Supercross Lites series has solidified 19-year-old GEICO Powersports Honda rider Trey Canard as one of the true rising stars in motocross. Beginning this weekend with the seventh stop of the AMA season at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Canard will get his chance to prove himself at the top level of the sport when parks his 250cc Lites ride and fills in for Honda factory rider Andrew Short in Supercross aboard a 450cc machine.

"I was speechless when they told me," said Canard, who currently is second in the Supercross Lites West standings. "I thought they were joking at first. I'm so honored. There are a lot of other people they could have given this ride to. It's a big opportunity they've given me and I'm thankful to have it."

To ride alongside GEICO Powersports Honda teammate Kevin Windham and match skills with the other top riders in the world is hard for Canard to fathom.

"It's a really crazy experience," Canard said. "You spend your whole life dreaming of being in that premier class. Now here I am, a couple of days away from my first race."

While the primary goal is to get experience on the bigger and faster Honda, Canard said it's going to be impossible to shut off his competitive nature when he pulls to the start gate.

"Nobody really expects anything out of me, so I think that will take a little of the pressure off of me," the native Oklahoman said. "I always put pressure on myself to do well. I'm a racer and racers don't want to get second or third; they want to win every race they're in. This one will be no different, but I know I'm on a learning curve."

Canard can rely on 16-year Supercross veteran Kevin Windham, 32, who is coming off his second podium finish of the year at last Saturday's stop in Anaheim, Calif.

The duo also will welcome Supercross Lites East riders Brett Metcalfe and Justin Barcia, who will suit up for GEICO Powersports Honda for this first time this season.

Metcalfe, of Mannum, Australia, is looking to rebound from an injury-shortened 2009 Supercross Lites campaign, while the 17-year-old Barcia (bar-sha) of Ocklocknee, Okla., promises to be a big-time star in the sport for many years to come.

"Justin and Brett are two awesome riders," team co-owner Jeff Majkrzak said. "Brett was riding so well before he got injured. He threatened for the title of every race.

"Justin Barcia is a name hardcore fans already know and pretty soon everyone in the world of motorsports will undoubtedly know. He has the potential and talent to be one of the best ever. He's that good. I expect his debut to be pretty solid and he'll just go up from there."

All four GEICO Powersports Honda riders will be hit the track early Saturday with action taking place throughout the day. The main event begins at 7 p.m. ET.

--30--

Contact: Geiger Media at 281-354-5769 or rob@go2geiger.com.

Please visit www.geicogarage.com for more information.