race recap
ADAM CIANCIARULO | GRIT-212 | 450SX
March 14, 2023 · Adam Cianciarulo
ADAM CIANCIARULO | GRIT-212 | SX 450
Returning to the racetrack after a brief hiatus, Florida's Adam Cianciarulo would nullify criticism and prove his tenacity while competing amongst the premier division in Indianapolis. Though it would be quite the terrain to return to, as the soil would be instantly filled with ruts and grooves that could swallow the 450cc chassis; dragging foot-pegs and frame alike atop jump faces, whoops, and various berms. Cianciarulo never wavered though, and proceeded to launch forward into competitive action for practice with an array of strong lap-times. His trajectory was on point for a solid top-ten overall, and seemed to encompass his initiation to heat race action as well with a daring start to the moto. Battling for the lead while contending with amateur rival Cooper Webb, Webb would push forward (and around) Cianciarulo before the green flag, but not without a fight. The glimpse of the lead would motivate Adam, though the tandem of two surging riders (i.e. Barcia and Cooper Webb) couldn't be ignored; as they moved past "AC" prior to beginning lap three, with the four-pack now compact and racing against each other in every facet of the raceway. He would fight through all nine laps, showing fortitude while mastering ruts through transitions. And his willingness to push forward would be strong enough to actually overtake Cooper Webb in the final moments, passing him with only corners to go to reclaim third prior to the checkered flag! This led to he main event where Adam could be seen vying for the lead with Ken Roczen in the first few corners, nearly taking the pinnacle of the field by storm as he entered the whoop section. However these whoops were obliterated; and as Adam proceeded to jump through one of two middle lines, his off-balance weight distribution would cause his legs to flail to both sides of the Kawasaki machine. He would lose a few spots in the process, regaining his composure in the ninety-degree corners that followed while situated in fourth position. He would remain here for the next chunk of laps, continuously hitting his marks while behind Cooper Webb. But when approaching the midpoint of the moto, Adam would be passed by both Justin Barcia and Aaron Plessinger; but a crash from Chase Sexton would simultaneously push him a position higher in the final standings. Battling with Jason Anderson shortly thereafter, he would only lose one more spot (to his teammate) before the checkered flag was thrown in this twenty-seven lap contest. Ultimately concluding his run in Indianapolis, with sixth-place in hand.