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Monster Energy® Kawasaki Perseveres At Round One Of Pro Motocross In Pala
Foothill Ranch, Calif. (May 27, 2023) - The highly anticipated Round 1 of the Pro Motocross Championship held at Fox Raceway welcomed racers and fans with mild temperatures of overcast morning skies, transitioning to partly cloudy blue skies in the afternoon in Pala, California. Fans were treated to an extraordinary display of skill and determination by Monster Energy® Kawasaki rider Adam Cianciarulo as he made a dramatic comeback to a solid sixth place overall finish. Monster Energy®/Kawasaki/Pro Circuit riders Jo Shimoda, Carson Mumford, Ryder DiFrancesco and Jett Reynolds fought hard and finished 4-6 for a seventh overall, 11-8 for a 10th overall, 9-13 for 11th overall and 12-16 for a 14th overall, respectively.
In the overcast morning qualifying sessions, Cianciarulo came out motivated and qualified with a time of 2:23.251, securing the third place position on the starting grid for Moto 1.
In Moto 1, Cianciarulo began his Pro Motocross series with a respectable seventh place start, faced with the typical challenges of a brutally rough and rutted Pro Motocross track. Unfazed by the conditions, Cianciarulo remained consistent and smooth throughout the moto. The No.9’s focused efforts paid off as he finished the race in an impressive sixth place.
In Moto 2 the sun began to shine and the track was drying out. Cianciarulo started in sixth place but made a crucial mistake in the second turn of the race that sent him back to 29th place. Undeterred, the No. 9 put his head down and began a determined effort to make up lost ground on his KX™450SR. With each passing lap, he relentlessly clicked off competitors, steadily moving up through the pack. Through sheer grit and determination, Cianciarulo found himself in the top 15 after a few laps. His relentless pursuit continued as he worked his way into the top 10, capping his remarkable comeback with an impressive display of perseverance, Cianciarulo finished the race in seventh place.
Shimoda showcased his skill on the track, qualifying with a time of 2:23.804, earning him the fifth pick on the starting grid for Moto 1 while teammates DiFrancesco secured 10th (2:24.532), Mumford 15th (2:25.492), and Reynolds displayed his potential as a rookie, qualifying with a time of 2:25.778, securing the 17th place position on the starting grid.
The No. 30 of Shimoda lit a fire in Moto 1, grabbing the early lead of the moto and engaging in an intense battle on his KX™250, while his Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki teammates all battled for top 10 positions early on. Despite a mistake that initially sent him back to fifth place, Shimoda gradually made his way up to fourth place where he finished. DiFrancesco exhibited remarkable consistency throughout Moto 1, steadily moving up the ranks and securing an impressive seventh place finish. Mumford maintained a strong position in Moto 1, holding 11th place and showcasing his competitive spirit and ability to contend with the best riders in the field. Jett Reynolds, in his first professional race, exhibited his potential by finishing in 12th place in Moto 1, demonstrating his skill on track as a rookie.
Shimoda got off to another strong start in Moto 2, securing third place as the race began. However, a detrimental error sent him back to 20th place. Keeping his composure, Shimoda's determination propelled him to make impressive moves through the pack, eventually finishing the race in a remarkable sixth place. Mumford steadily made-up ground in Moto 2, battling his way through the field to a strong eighth place position for 10th overall. DiFrancesco maintained his position in the top 10 throughout the first half of Moto 2 but would finish 13th and 11th overall. Reynolds continued to impress in Moto 2, maintaining his focus and determination as he competed against experienced riders. Despite the challenges, Reynolds showcased his potential and finished the race in a commendable position, 16th in Moto 2 and 14th overall in his pro debut.