Page 38 - ISSUE_52

ADAM CIANCIARULO
250 MX / 4TH
IMAGE / LANNAN WORDS / HARNISHFEGER DESIGN / TILLS
>> It has been a rough couple of weeks for Adam Cianciarulo. The Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki rider has finished fourteenth and ninth and the past two rounds. He has been unable to string together two consistent motos after starting the season very consistent with two fourth place overall finishes. He entered Muddy Creek deter- mined to get his season going back in the right direction.
Cianciarulo looked like he was ready to make a statement during practice. He man- aged to throw down the second quickest time, qualifying just a mere two thousandths of a second behind the fastest rider Jeremy Martin. He was clearly ready to do battle come race time.
The gate dropped in moto one and it saw him rocket into the first turn narrowly miss- ing out on the holeshot. Instead it would be Aaron Plessinger taking the early lead. Cianciarulo tried to make a quick pass on the opening lap but missed the opportunity and settled into second. Plessinger was able to build a three second lead after a few Cianciarulo mistakes. Cianciarulo would not be able to cut it much closer than that the rest of the race as he and Plessinger were virtually the same speed. He would finish strong in second but was kicking himself a bit after the race knowing if he didn’t make those early few mistakes he would have had a better chance at the win.
AC could not nail another great start in moto two and instead started slightly further back in sixth. He swiftly hopped into fifth on lap two and held it down the rest of the moto. He could not stay with Alex Martin in front of him but was able to keep his younger brother behind him despite some pressure later in the moto. His 2-5 moto scores would earn him fourth overall and a step in the right direction. He still has yet to finish on the overall podium this year so watch for him to get after it next weekend at Red Bud.
38 GRITMOTO • JUNE 25, 2017