Las Vegas Review-Journal (Sunday)
Rider earns victory, but not $1 million
Adam Cianciarulo held off Eli Tomac in a battle of Kawasaki teammates to win the third main event and overall championship of the Monster Energy Cup AMA Supercross all-star race Saturday night at Sam Boyd Stadium.
Tomac and Malcolm Stewart won the first two main events. It was the first time in three years a $1 million bonus for sweeping the three mains was not awarded. Tomac took home the big check last year after Marvin Musquin pulled off the trifecta in 2017.
Cianciarulo, who was making his 450cc class debut, edged Tomac by .867 of a second.
Tomac got the evening off to a flying start by overtaking Vince Friese on the sixth lap of the first main event and pulling away to 2.068-second victory over Cianciarulo. Honda riders Stewart and Friese claimed the third and fourth spots.
Stewart won the second main to set up a final showdown with Cianciarulo and Tomac, who went down outside the stadium on the second lap, ending his bid for a second consecutive $1 million payday. Tomac battled back to third behind Cianciarulo, who trailed Stewart by 2.321 seconds at the checkered flag.
Cianciarulo’s task was made a little easier with the absence of several top competitors, including the last two supercross series champions.
Reigning champ Cooper Webb is recuperating from a motocross injury and was on hand only to sign autographs. Jason Anderson, the 2018 title winner, sat out after competing in the recent Motocross of Champions in the Netherlands. Musquin is recovering from a motocross injury and did not enter the postseason all-star race.