race recap
ADAM CIANCIARULO | GRIT-220 | 450SX
May 16, 2023 · Adam Cianciarulo

ADAM CIANCIARULO | GRIT-220 | SX 450
The confidence of Adam Cianciarulo was on the rise after last week's performance, and rightfully so. He and his Kawasaki machine had taken the road less traveled in recent memory, but the fortitude and willpower of Cianciarulo were attributes that couldn't be discredited. And his speed within the practice sessions of this final round of SX racing would be a direct reflection of that, where "AC" would battle alongside Chase Sexton and Ken Roczen; knowing that he could claim a spectacular finish in the main event that followed, if the matters would fall into his favor. He then engaged in the second heatand immediately sped onto the start straight with little regard for fear. His opening position on the raceway (which was categorized in second, after battling with Aaron Plessinger for the lead) would be a notable platform to propel forward from; but Honda's Chase Sexton was persistent in his attempts to move forward, and eventually passed the Kawasaki rider with fluidity as they made their into the second and third circuit(s). From that point and onward, the number nine focused on remaining smooth amongst this moisture-ridden course. It would be easy for a lapse of focus to arise and his front-end subsequently knife, or for too much throttle to be applied and the spinning of his rear wheel to sling him to the ground...but Cianciarulo's skill was next level. He continued to thrive in third place, which eventually became second after Aaron Plessinger crashed over the berm in the whoops with around two and a half laps remaining on the itinerary...and with that, "AC" was granted the final runner-up designation, prior to moving into the main event that followed. It was anyone's race to win with numerous members of the field out with injury, and Adam would do his best to combat the likes of Chase Sexton in the early going as he competed with the Honda rider for the lead. However the number twenty-three would steadily edge ahead and force Adam to reside in the runner-up standing, where Aaron Plessinger proceeded to strive to overtake him in the moments thereafter. The number nine would put up quite the fight when keeping the Ohio native at bay, but it was before the tenth lap was completed when Aaron made the move around once and for all...and Justin Hill would follow in that regard as well; where on the twelfth lap of action, a daring pass in the corner after the whoops would solidify the Team Tedder rider ahead of "AC" as they then stormed toward the three-quarter mark of the main event finalé. Adam, despite wanting to move ahead, knew that finishing the season with an error-free ride would be paramount; and carried the notion of limiting his mistakes and staying upright all the way to the checkered flag, where he possessed fourth place once and for all.