Irvine, Calif. (March 3, 2014) – Monster Energy Supercross endured the cold winter that has effected most of the country this Saturday as Round 9 took place at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis in sub-zero temperatures. Enduring not only the cold, but the toughest track this season, Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Adam Cianciarulo fought to take his second career victory ahead of teammate Martin Davalos. Both riders overcame crashes to take the top two spots on the podium while Blake Baggett came through the field to finish fifth. In the 450SX class, Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto crashed off the start and climbed back to salvage fourth place and extend his points lead to 23, while Dean Wilson made his 450SX class debut with a 10th place finish.
No Fluke
After capturing his first career win two weeks prior in Dallas, Cianciarulo cemented his place at the top of the field and extended his points lead with his second win of the season in Indy. The points leader continued the consistency he has shown so far this season and qualified on top of the board. Cianciarulo won his heat race on a fresh track that would not resemble what he faced in the main event. He got off the start behind his teammate Davalos, and they began to gap the pack. On lap six he inherited the lead as Davalos went down, but the battle with the track continued. Cianciarulo fought the deteriorating track and despite a crash of his own he took the checkered flag.
“The track tonight was gnarly,” said Cianciarulo. “It was survival out there and I was lucky to keep it in control for most of the race. I got a great start and that’s what made the difference.”
Always Out Front
One week following his first career supercross win, Davalos wasted no time getting out front and leading the pack. Davalos had the competition handled but the track was the one who got the better of him. The soft Indiana dirt quickly fell apart as the 15 laps of the main event went on and on Lap 7, Davalos lost traction on a section of exposed plywood and went off track. He quickly recovered and was able to fight back to second place.
“Sometimes it’s out of your control,” said Davalos. “The track got the best of me but we all had to ride the same track and I’m happy I was able to recover and still put my Kawasaki on the podium.”
Salvage
Reigning champion, Villopoto worked all day to master the evolving track, but ultimately his main event was one of survival and salvation. Off the start, the field came together which resulted in the champ hitting the deck. Determined to fight back, he charged and attacked the diminishing track and was able to fight his way back to fourth place.
“The track tonight was extremely difficult,” said Villopoto. “I found myself on the ground but if you’re going to be on the ground it makes it better when the rider you’re in the points battle with is there as well. We ended up extending our points lead and we’re looking forward to Daytona next week.”
Hard Charger
For the second week in a row Baggett had to carve his way through the field. He found himself outside of the top-10 on the first lap and searched for alternative lines on the rutted track to reach fifth place by the checkered flag. Baggett falls to fourth overall in the points standings but will be sure to shine at Daytona next week.
“We took a lot of time to practice starts this week,” said Baggett. “I felt really confident in them but we got pinched off the line and I had to shut off. I know with a good start I can win one of these. We’ll stay focused and look forward to next week.”
Big Boys
Following his crash in San Diego, Chad Reed was forced to pull out of racing due to injury to his shoulder, but he refused to allow his race winning KX™450F to sit idle. In his absence, Wilson was recruited to suit up against the premier riders while on break from the Western Regional championship. Wilson posted times within the top-10 in qualifying and made the main event through the semi. He too found himself on the ground in the first turn and fought through his first 20-lap main event to finish a respectable 10th place.
“I wanted more from myself but it’s a good start,” said Wilson. “I feel really comfortable on the bike already and I know with time I’ll continue to improve.”
Quad
Often riders will scope out a line while on track walk atthe start of the day and wonder if anyone will push the envelope and jump acertain combination. Although Cianciarulo is a rookie, he eyed up a quad afterthe first turn but planned to only use it if need be. He jumped it once inqualifying practice and then again on the last lap of his heat race. In themain event he knew he needed a little extra to keep with his teammate and wasthe only rider to jump the quad lap after lap, helping him to his second careerwin.
“I wasn’t sure when we walked the track if it was doable ornot,” said Cianciarulo. “But once I was out there, it was pretty easy to jumpover the table so I decided to go for it and it worked in my favor.”
Often riders will scope out a line while on track walk at the start of the day and wonder if anyone will push the envelope and jump a certain combination. Although Cianciarulo is a rookie, he eyed up a quad after the first turn but planned to only use it if need be. He jumped it once in qualifying practice and then again on the last lap of his heat race. In the main event he knew he needed a little extra to keep with his teammate and was the only rider to jump the quad lap after lap, helping him to his second career win.
“I wasn’t sure when we walked the track if it was doable or not,” said Cianciarulo. “But once I was out there, it was pretty easy to jump over the table so I decided to go for it and it worked in my favor.”
Results
Monster Energy Supercross – Round 9
Lucas Oil Stadium – Indianapolis, Indiana
Saturday, March 3, 2014
250SX Eastern Regional Main Event
1. Adam Cianciarulo, Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki
2. Martin Davalos, Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki
3. Justin Bogle, Honda
4. Matt Bisceglia, Honda
5. Blake Baggett, Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki
6. Vince Friese, Honda
7. James Decostis, Honda
8. Matt Lemoine, Kawasaki
9. Cole Thompson, KTM
10. Kyle Cunningham, Honda
250SX Eastern Regional Points Standings
1. Adam Cianciarulo, Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki, 72
2. Martin Davalos, Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki, 67
3. Justin Bogle, Honda, 56
4. Blake Baggett, Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki, 54
5. Vince Friese, Honda, 48
6. Cole Thompson, KTM, 40
7. James Decostis, Honda, 34
8. Blake Wharton, Honda, 33
9. Kyle Cunningham, Honda, 33
10. Mitchell Oldenburg, Honda, 30
450SX Main Event
1. Ryan Dungey, KTM
2. Eli Tomac, Honda
3. Cole Seely, Honda
4. Ryan Villopoto, Monster Energy Kawasaki
5. Broc Tickle, Suzuki
6. Andrew Short, KTM
7. James Stewart, Suzuki
8. Justin Brayton, Yamaha
9. Josh Hill, Suzuki
10. Dean Wilson, Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki
450SX Championship Standings
1. Ryan Villopoto, Monster Energy Kawasaki, 184
2. Ryan Dungey, KTM, 161
3. Ken Roczen, KTM, 158
4. James Stewart, Suzuki, 154
5. Justin Brayton, Yamaha, 143
6. Chad Reed, Kawasaki, 111
7. Justin Barcia, Honda, 109
8. Andrew Short, KTM, 109
9. Wil Hahn, Honda, 93
10. Broc Tickle, Suzuki, 93
