Adam Cianciarulo on his 450 US motocross title chances – I think I am capable of being a champion!
In one day Adam Cianciarulo went from having a good outdoor season in his rookie year to his first ever double moto win and a title contender!
The factory Kawasaki rider is now only 15 points behind leader Zach Osborne after being over 40 behind going into Millville! With confidence and momentum on his side the 2019 250 motocross champ is now looking to make it a second outdoor title in a row – not bad for a guy you has always been seen more of s supercross rider!
“I think I am capable of being a champion,” asserted the articulate and in-form Cianciarulo when asked about his now very realistic title chances. “Obviously I have done it before in a different class. I am riding well, I don’t see why I can’t continue putting good performances in and getting good points and maybe it shakes out maybe it doesn’t.
“I don’t think about where I would be if I didn’t DNF, because I was trying my hardest at Lorretta’s and felt good, a mistake happened, it’s the same thing I am going to do from here on out. I think was 40 down or something coming into the day so now it looks a little bit realistic, compared to how it was before.
“It is definitely something you think about, I am not going to say I don’t think about it but my mindset can’t change. You can’t really think about the top of the mountain yet, we have three races to go so just put one foot in front of the other. Everybody is really going fast right now so I am going to have to keep rippin’.
On his rising level of confidence and getting used to leading Cianciarulo explained: “I had a great weekend at Red Bud, was able to get my first moto win. It just becomes more normal right? Like today I just got out front and instead of being like, ‘holy crap I’m in the lead!’ Which is kind of like how I was feeling in Ironman and just a little bit at Red Bud. Now, I’m not necessarily, I just felt like I was riding, like a normal moto. It just becomes more normal as you get used to it. But I have always had the confidence in my ability, I know I can do it but it is certainly easier once you get the ball rolling in the right direction.”
Now with even more confidence in his locker, Adam Cianciarulo is the man to beat right now in America. Intriguingly, he is also the top Kawasaki rider ahead of defending champion, Eli Tomac, which makes the battle between terammates vying for supremacy within their own awning also very interesting heading into supercross next year.
If AC is on a roll now and wins this title, will Tomac be able to stop him in 2021 indoors?! The next three weeks could decide a lot not just for Cianciarulo but also for Eli Tomac under the Kawasaki tent tent going forward.
Article: Jonathan McCready
Images: Kawasaki
