Page 34 - Issue_60

ADAM CIANCIARULO
250 SX / 3RD
IMAGE / KILPATRICK WORDS / MATTINGLY DESIGN / MOTOPLAYGROUND
>> With planes and helicopters hovering over the skies of Los Angeles, and surround- ing suburbs at all times, many a time Angel Stadium is of vacancy; especially through- out this course over the year. To many of those soaring the skies, and not being all
too familiar with the Supercross series, it was to much confusion as they viewed the stadium below, only to see it covered in dark soil, rather than its normal turfed outfields. Their curiosity would continue upon landing, and seeking more information, their brains would be rattled with the idea of top-level athletes, soaring through the skies aboard two-wheeled machinery. With itinerary in hand, they marched to the stadium just in time for practice, astounded by what they’d been bestowed. A sea of competitors jumping within feet of each other, riders clashing their bikes into one another, jousting for further position; they’d been hooked, just within a few seconds of watching the performance. One rider in particular, caught their attention; it was that of Cianciarulo. His style, even to these new fans, was just a tad bit different from the rest of the field. He seemed to be carrying his momentum through the bowl turns in a slightly different way, riding as high as the turn would provide. With elbows in a cocked position at all time, it was though he’d ridden this course in numerous amounts of repetition. Once practice had finished, those in attendance flocked to his autographic signing, where a smile, signing, and handshake were all heartfelt, and he was encouraged to do well in the night’s festivi- ties. His heat race performance echoed the smile under his helmet, pulling a tearoff over the first triple with a swipe that resembled a jumpshot. Fighting off the likes of top-tier factory riders, he would click the machine into fourth gear, as he ricocheted off of each individual whoop. With no sign of anxiousness, he would cruise under pressure, bringing home a third place position for overall qualifying. As the card would now go sideways for the main event, he felt the enthusiasm from his newfound fans just behind the gate. It would fall, and the engine braking of the 250f would push the springs of the forks to their most bottom point. Clicking fourth, and fifth gear down the straightaways, he found himself battling with likes of Christian Craig and Aaron Plessinger. With Craig, although seasoned, floundering a bit, his lanky frame allowed him to drag the footpeg up the face of one of the infamous “SX Triples”, and push him around number 32. It was then a three horse race, as his competition of McElrath and Plessinger had cemented themselves in first and second. He would round out the podium, eager as ever for the next round.
34 GRITMOTO • JANUARY 8, 2018