Page 34 - Issue_63

ADAM CIANCIARULO
250 SX / 3RD
IMAGE / LANNAN WORDS / ARMSTRONG DESIGN / MOTOPLAYGROUND
>> When racers make the move from amateurs to the professional ranks there is pres- sure but there may never have been bigger expectations of a rider then Adam Ciancia- rulo other then possibly Mike Alessi. Mike has since retired from racing in the AMA as
of this year and he did not live up to the hype. So far Adam has not lived up to his hype either. Cianciarulo has won many races so far in his professional career but has yet to produce a title. Adam has gone through many injuries that have left him sidelined. 2017 was a huge rebuild year for the young rider. Many peg 2018 to be Adams year and al- though the #92 has yet to win a race this season he is still well within the title hunt. This weekend at round 4 Adam went into the night show with the second fastest overall lap time in the 250 class. AC started 9th place in his heat race making his way to 5th on the opening lap. The Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki rider was able to make his way around Chisholm for 4th on lap two and later passed Taft for 3rd with 2 laps remaining. This gave Adam 6th gate pick in the main event. Adam came around in 6th after the first lap of the main and quickly got himself into 5th. AC92 began his charge towards the front of the field. After the first five minutes of racing Adam was able to make the move on Mitchell Oldenburg for 4th. AC continued his charge to get onto the rear wheel of his teammate Joey Savatgy with two minutes remaining. Joey made a small mistake leav- ing him briefly on the ground and Adam was quick to capitalize and get himself on the final podium spot. A third place finish is solid for most but Adam is one of those riders where anything but a win is mediocre. AC was clear on the podium that he was upset with his finish and that he has the speed to run with the top 3 riders in points but his starts just aren’t on point like theirs. Adam is now 15 points down from the leader and there is 6 rounds remaining. The title is still very much obtainable but the #92 is going to have to log in some wins.
34 GRITMOTO • JANUARY 28, 2018