Image: Octopi Media.

A late mistake from Adam Cianciarulo saw him drop from fourth to seventh position in St. Louis, round two of the 2020 Monster Energy Supercross championship.

The Monster Energy Kawasaki 450SX rookie was quickest in qualifying once again on Saturday, then went on to capture a first-career heat race victory.

Cianciarulo completed the opening lap in fourth place and maintained his track position inside the top five through much of the 20-minute main event, before the final lap fall cost him three positions.

“Today was a really encouraging day,” he reflected. “In the 450SX main event, despite my start I felt like I was riding well and making good progress.

“Unfortunately, I turned a fourth into a seventh with a last lap mistake. I’ve been grinding on my starts trying to get them where they should be, but I obviously didn’t execute tonight. We’ll lock those in and be ready for A2.”

After finishing second at Anaheim 1 and then claiming seventh in St. Louis, Cianciarulo is currently third in the 450SX standings, now 10 points in arrears of points-leader Justin Barcia (Monster Energy Yamaha).