Image: Simon Cudby.

Monster Energy/Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Adam Cianciarulo will make yet another return at Hangtown’s opening round of the 2016 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship as he returns from a pre-season wrist injury.

Due to a shoulder injury, the Florida based rider missed the entire 2015 supercross season before returning for the motocross series and making an early exit due to yet another shoulder injury.

Cianciarulo then missed the entire 2016 Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship due to a broken wrist, and for the second year running will attempt to restart his season at the iconic event.

“I broke the navicular bone in my wrist about three to four weeks before the opening round of the east coast Monster Energy Supercross series,” said Cianciarulo. “It’s been about 12 weeks since then and I’ve been back on the bike for the last few weeks preparing for the opening round of the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship.

“My arm was in a cast for around four weeks right after my crash and have been doing physical therapy since then. Since I have been able to start training again I’ve been doing everything in my power to get back to out there as soon as possible. Everything with my wrist is solid now, everything has healed very well.”

With minimal time back on the bike, Cianciarulo remains confident in his program and feels strong heading into the 21 May event in Sacramento.

“I feel good heading into the outdoors,” he said. “Over the last few years it seems I get injured at the worst times. I haven’t had as much time back on the bike as I would like, but I feel very confident with in my program and we’ve made a lot of progress with testing in a very short period of time.”

Due to his premature exit from last year’s Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship, it has now been almost a year since the ultra-talented Kawasaki rider lined up behind a gate.

“I’m very excited to head up Hangtown for the first race, it’s been almost a year since I’ve raced, I can’t wait to be back out there,” he added. “The chase for the top is what keeps me going and when I am racing I feel at ease.

“I’m happy to be back out there and making progress, I still believe in my ability and that I am fast, I haven’t lost that aspect it’s just about me being patient and getting through the season healthy.”

In his three year professional career, Cianciarulo is yet to finish a full supercross and motocross season.