Image: Supplied.

Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki press release:

Round 6 of Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship presented perfect weather conditions in sunny San Diego, California where Monster Energy® Kawasaki rider Adam Cianciarulo captured his second 450SX podium of the season with a second-place finish with Monster Energy®/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki rider Austin Forkner also bringing home a second-place finish in the 250SX class.

Cianciarulo kicked the day off by qualifying with the fastest lap time (49.024) for the sixth week in a row with his teammate Eli Tomac once more following closely in second.

As the gate dropped on 450SX Heat 1, Tomac was banging bars at the start which would leave him buried in the pack. Making quick work in the short race, Tomac was able to pass six other contenders in the nine-lap race before crossing the finish line in third.

450SX Heat 2 saw the No. 9 of Cianciarulo grab the holeshot aboard his KX™450 and lead every lap to take the checkered flag. His second heat race of the season.

Similarly to the heat race, Cianciarulo shot out front in the 450SX Main Event leading the 22-rider field. Cianciarulo led 20 of the 25 laps before getting passed, crossing the finish line in second. The runner-up result is the rookie’s second runner-up finish of the season and jumped him up to fifth in the 450SX Point Standings.

On the other hand, Tomac found himself buried mid-pack in the main creating a daunting task on the tight track, where it was difficult to make a pass. Tomac went straight to work and began maneuvering his way around competitors one-by-one, but not without a few wild battles along the way. Before the end of the 20-minute main event, Tomac was able to push forward and cross the finish line in fourth, now sitting just one point behind the series’ points leader.

Traditionally, the San Diego round is designated Military Appreciation Night to honor our servicemen and women, which provided the opportunity for the Kawasaki teams to rock unique camouflage gear and graphics on their KX™ machines.

“Well, I was challenged tonight after having to fight my way towards the front in the main. I didn’t have the best start, but we’ll get back to work with the Monster Energy Kawasaki team this week and hope to improve for Tampa next weekend. I do feel I rode well tonight and I’m proud we were able to make up quite a few positions to finish fourth on the night.”

– Eli Tomac

“I’ve been waiting and working for this my entire career, to ride in the premier class and get on the big stage. I’m still learning, still improving every day, and I feel like I rode really well tonight. I led nearly every lap of the race but unfortunately got passed at the end so I’m a little disappointed I couldn’t hold Cooper [Webb] off just a little longer. Honestly, I’m just excited to be up front with such a talented group of guys and prove I can compete.”

– Adam Cianciarulo