For the first time in his 450SX career, Adam Cianciarulo has made it past the halfway point of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross season.
Since graduating from the 250SX class in 2019, Cianciarulo has yet to complete more than eight rounds in a single year. The main reason for his inconsistent attendance record has been injury — ranging from a broken collarbone to a knee injury to nerve issues in his arms.
The Monster Energy Kawasaki rider has avoided major catastrophe this season, though he did miss two race due to an aggravated wrist injury. All in all, his season has gone exactly the way he predicted. After several years of being off and on the bike, then finally rejoining the 450SX class during one of its most competitive eras, Cianciarulo wasn’t expecting greatness right off the bat.
“You’ve got to start somewhere,” Cianciarulo. “My goal is really to do the best I can, stay within myself and not ask for too much too soon.”
Grounded by his ambition to log as many laps as possible, the No. 9 rider feels settled now that he has nine races under his belt. It’s been an exercise in patience, but Cianciarulo believes his pace has improved since the season opener in January.
His average finish this year has been 9.4, while his best finish was sixth-place at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis on March 11.
Though Cianciarulo’s focus has primarily been on showing up to the race track every weekend and keeping outside influences at a healthy distance, there are still a few factors weighing him down.
“I’ve had this nerve injury affecting some grip strength in my arm that I’m still trying to figure out. But for the most part, I feel good. I’ve worked on my body a lot to get it back into race condition,” Cianciarulo said.
His early-race performance has been strong at several Supercross rounds, including the Feb. 11 race at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla., where he ran fourth for a significant portion of the race.
A few good starts have also propelled the No. 9 machine into the lead pack, as was the case at the most recent race at Lumen Field in Seattle, Wash., on March 25 where he came around the first turn in fourth. He finished eighth.
Despite the lack of top-five finishes, there is little doubt that the on-track experience Cianciarulo has been compiling this season has provided necessary relearning opportunities after the time he’s spent away from the track. The Monster Energy Kawasaki rider has been operating with a constant twinge of positivity, maintaining faith over his future in the sport.
“I know I haven’t lost my talent and speed. I know I’m one of the best in the world on a Supercross track, so it’s just finding that again, patiently,” Cianciarulo said.
He plans to line up for round 12 of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross season Saturday at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz.