Page 34 - Issue_39

ADAM CIANCIARULO
250 SX / 2ND
IMAGE /MPG WORDS / KILPATRICK DESIGN / WILSON
>> Adam Cianciarulo has shown promising potential since coming back to the Monster Energy Supercross series for the first time since 2014. The Pro Circuit Kawasaki rider experiences immense amounts of pressure from himself as well as his team, his sponsors, and his fans; Cianciarulo was one of the winningest amateur riders of all-time, but he’s able to enjoy some time away from the spotlight this year as his teammate, Joey Savatgy, is one of the favorites to win the title. Cianciarulo’s riding and results have shown flashes of his 2014 SX speed in the first couple of races, but some poor starts and bad luck have given him underwhelming finishes. He continued to show his speed in qualifying by clocking the fifth fastest lap time, therefore earning a solid gate pick heading into the night show. Cianciarulo got off to a great start alongside the Star Racing Yamaha duo of Colt Nichols and Mitchell Harrison as the second 250 heat race got underway. The Pro Circuit Kawasaki rider inched out Harrison early on, but lost out on second position through an early rhythm lane, forcing him to settle into third. On the very next lap, Cianciarulo was able to find his way back around the Yamaha rider in the difficult whoops sec- tion. From that point onward, he laid down a consistent pace and began to apply pressure onto Nichols in the lead, seeking his second heat race victory of the 2017 season. Cianciarulo was able to close the gap a little bit, but ended up crossing the line just under five seconds behind the winner. The Pro Circuit Kawasaki rider shot out of the gate to an outstanding start within the top five in the main event. He followed the current points leader, Zach Osborne, and remained steady in fourth position for the first quarter of the race, but things really began to heat up the fifth time around. Ferrandis made a mistake towards the front of the pack and bit the dust enter- ing the rollers section, therefore falling directly in the main line. Cianciarulo was already commit- ted and couldn’t find a way around the downed rider, whilst simultaneously fending off pressure from the Star Racing Yamaha of Colt Nichols. The Florida native kept his speed up throughout the midway point of the moto, keeping tabs on his teammate, Joey Savatgy, in second place. He was able to take advantage of a mistake by his Pro Circuit Kawasaki counterpart in the clos-
ing laps of the race, consequently moving him up the order to second position. Cianciarulo was able to hang on for his first podium of the 2017 season as he was finally able to put together the speed and consistency for an entire main event. He’ll be looking to take the extra step to the top of the podium when the series heads back to his home state for Daytona.
34 GRITMOTO • MARCH 5, 2017