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ADAM CIANCIARULO
250 SX / 3RD
IMAGE / MPG WORDS / KUHLHOFF DESIGN / WILSON
>> After a fifth place finish last weekend in Indy, Pro Circuit Kawasaki rider Adam Cianciarulo came out guns blazing in his heat race. The energy in Detroit was electrifying as the Florida native ricocheted off the start and was able to make
a picture perfect pass in the second corner on Dakota Alix. Cianciarulo was an incredibly strong force on the track and flawlessly led all seven laps, gaining him- self a well-deserved golden ticket to the Main Event as well as his second heat race win of the season and the fourth one of his career. In his heat race podium interview, Adam mentioned that he was riding light to avoid putting any pres-
sure on his injured knee and he then finished the interview with a simply honest “tracks going to be hard.” He may have won his heat race with flying colors, but Cianciarulo had a realistic mindset going into the Main Event and knew how un- predictably slick and deteriorating the track conditions would be.
The number 36 ironically lined up for what would be the 36th 250 Main Event gate drop to happen in Detroit. The Michigan crowd was restless with anticipation as the thirty-second card went up. It was go time in the Motor City. The gates dropped and Adam Cianciarulo was an immediate front-runner. After avoiding a first turn pile up, Ferrandis was in the lead with young Cianciarulo right behind him. In the midst of intense battle, an extremely glossy section following the finish line unfortunately took down Adam. With a quick recovery, Cianciarulo was in fourth place and searching for third. Within half a lap, Dylan Ferrandis went from first to third and was now in Cianciarulo’s line of vision. After a short chase, Adam made an inside pass on Ferrandis, taking the third place spot and putting himself in an excellent fourth place position in the overall points stand- ings. Cianciarulo is now only one point down from Zach Osborne in second. I’m definitely looking forward to seeing what Adam Cianciarulo brings to the Lou next weekend.
38 GRITMOTO • MARCH 26, 2017