Image: Octopi Media.

Denver marked a welcome podium return for Adam Cianciarulo as the Monster Energy Kawasaki rider has overcome multiple adversities in his lengthy journey back to a top-three result in Supercross.

The number nine qualified fourth fastest at the penultimate round and finished his heat race a close second behind Ken Roczen (Progressive Insurance Ecstar Suzuki).

After leading in the main event following Eli Tomac’s exit, Cianciarulo battled his way to ultimately take the checkered flag in P3, marking his first 450SX podium since Houston 3 in 2021.

He has battled and overcome various injuries since that moment, with his top three return in Denver a hard-earned and emotive achievement.

“No [can’t describe the emotions], not right now,” Cianciarulo said. “It’s been a wild couple of years for me, just battling a lot of health stuff. I’ve just had to dig so deep, there were so many times I was ready to quit, or I thought I was done. I really, really mean that.

“I didn’t do a lot of riding in the off-season, it wasn’t looking good for me. December time, I was like stressing it big time. I haven’t been exactly where I want to be this year. I’m used to having pace and being up front, but I haven’t had any pace, and that’s hard to swallow for me. It was discouraging to start the year.

“Around Indianapolis, I had a come to Jesus with myself. I said, this is no way to live. I was being so hard on myself. I wasn’t talking very nice to myself and wasn’t having a lot of fun. I kind of turned it around, and I think it’s all about what you notice in life. I started noticing the positive things and being grateful for what I had, and it kind of made my work during the week a little bit better and I was able to get some momentum going.

“Obviously, with Eli [Tomac] going out tonight, echoing what Chase [Sexton] said, you never want to see that. I know it’s the end of the season and there’s a lot of guys hurt, but I do not care man. Obviously, I want everybody to be healthy, but for me to be back here is a big testament to everybody around me, and yeah, I’m stubborn.”

One round remains in the 2023 Monster Energy Supercross Championship, with the series finals to take place this Saturday at Salt Lake City.