Adam Cianciarulo was expected to be next.
By any other standard, he was good.

WORDS: JASON WEIGANDT

Adam Cianciarulo has endured the spotlight for a long time. He was already heralded during his 50cc days, but little rippers are nothing new. For Adam, it was the timing of his emergence that drew him even more attention. His years as a mini phenom, which began in the early ’00s, coincided with a time when the top ranks of the sport were dominated by riders like Ricky Carmichael, James Stewart, and Ryan Villopoto, a trio that had come through the Kawasaki Team Green ranks, won immediately as pros, then hooked up with trainer Aldon Baker at various times as they collected wins in the premier class. Twenty years ago it was easy to ask “Who’s next?” and neatly slide Cianciarulo into the narrative. He won more minicycle titles than anyone at the Monster Energy AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship at Loretta Lynn’s Ranch. He rode for Kawasaki Team Green. He worked with Baker, alongside Villopoto, plus he hailed from Florida, just like Stewart and Carmichael.