Eli Tomac Update
Wednesday, January 30, 2013 | 9:15 AM
Share
Comment
Email
PrintThe GEICO PR team sent us this update on defending 250 West SX Champion Eli Tomac. Sounds like he's ready to go for this weekend in Anaheim.
ANAHEIM, Calif. - GEICO Honda's Eli Tomac is going into Saturday's Monster Energy AMA Supercross race at Angels Stadium of Anaheim a little bruised but more determined than ever.
After starting the season with three straight 250SX West wins -- including two at the "Big A" -- Tomac had about everything possible go wrong last weekend in Oakland. He had a nasty crash in the main event, mangled his bike to the point he couldn't continue, suffered a DNF and lost his points lead.
"I bruised my knee a little too but it's really not bothered me at all this week," Tomac said. "I actually had a really good test session on Tuesday and I think we're getting my bike better. We worked on chassis and suspension to get me more comfortable so I can get it working better on the track.
"The only thing now is that I'm the hunter instead of the hunted. It's fine; there's a ways to go."
Tomac, the defending West champion, is in third place in the West standings, 15 points behind leader Ken Roczen and four behind second-place Cole Seely.
"We've got some points to make up now," Tomac said. "It's like déjà vu from last year (in San Diego). It's actually kind of ridiculous how similar it is but the main thing is that I'm ok. This season isn't anywhere close to being over."
GEICO Honda's other 250 West rider, Zach Osborne, is expecting the Anaheim track to be slicker and faster than it was the first two times they visited the facility.
"The dirt has changed quite a bit since the beginning of the season," he said. "The big thing is that the Monster Trucks were there and it pounded the dirt down.
"It's going to be a lot more like the second race. Once the dirt gets to a certain point there's not much they can do to loosen it up."
Osborne has been battling a shoulder injury for part of the season, but he's still managed to establish a foothold of fourth place in the overall standings. He said he's feeling as healthy as he's been since the start of the season, and is looking to have a breakthrough night this weekend.
"This week has been pretty much a normal week of preparation for me," Osborne said. "Going into this race I'm as prepared as I was to start the season before I injured my shoulder. It has me pretty excited.
"So far my results haven't told the whole story of how my season has progressed, but hopefully this weekend I'll break out and get to where I want to be."
Practice for the third trip to Angels Stadium of Anaheim gets under way at 12:30 p.m. PST. Opening ceremonies, which will feature an appearance from GEICO Honda's retired rider Kevin Windham, start at 7 p.m. SPEED TV will broadcast the event live starting at 10:30 p.m. EST.
Did you like this article?
Check out ACTION FIGURE
in our Latest issue of Racer X available now.
Troy Lee Designs/Lucas Oil Honda’s Cole Seely is a man of many talents— skateboarding, BMX, import drifting … and he’s pretty good at this motocross thing, too. Page 156 .
Look for the verified symbol 
Impulse Studios
Roczen better bring his A game, I still think Tomac has him covered for race wins though. I'm still waiting for a Seely/Sipes/Davalos spoiler, it could definitely happen.
Are you f'ing kidding me? He's not even fully dialed in? LOL Roczen will have his work cut out for him.
What happened to Zach Osborne during the race. About half way he kept looking down at his bike and going backwards.
@pukaskid, you're absolutely right.
if his bike was'nt perfect before, look out. I think the obnly person who can beat Eli straight up is Eli.
He passed Roczen at round 3 and game over, But Roczen looked real fast at round 4. I think the smart money is still on Tomac but now that Roczen has the points lead he will push even more to keep it so this could be FUN and is Seely can get in shape to run all 20 at full speed it could get even more fun to see.
STILL no word on Barcia!!!
The season didn't go as Eli planned, but for us fans it just got more exciting! Glad he's ok and ready to go
@twmotox
From the Observations: Oakland artical it sounds like he had some clutch problems and maybe had to baby his bike out until the end.
I have been impressed with Osborne so far and really hope to see a complete race from him. I really think he can run with the top guys, at least for a few laps anyways.
Either way I hope Eli comes back strong, would love some more tight racing up front again!
Eli said he had a little bruise on his knee?? why didnt he get up and salvage some points?? you know what they say; you can't win it on one night , but you can certainly LOSE it!!!!------He needs to grow thicker skin like his old man. His pain tolerance for a little bruise probably cost him the title!
Roger... Did you read the part where it said his bike was to mangled up to ride? He had a nasty crash in the main event, mangled his bike to the point he couldn't continue, suffered a DNF and lost his points lead.
I don't see davalos winning, seely yes, and I'm glad to see at least one other person thinks Ryan Sipes could pull one off. When all of his planets are in line he's stepped up before.
Eli is an animal for sure and can really put on a late charge. He'll definitely have Roczen covered on some race wins, so Kenny is going to have to play it smart. But as one of you mentioned is the championship spoiler for either one and that would be Seely.
That knee could be hurt a little more than they are letting on. Let's hope not. Roczen is the points leader fair and square. Eli crashed out all by his little lonesome. At this stage of the series one could say roczen is the better rider..faster? Maybe not.
http://instagram.com/p/VF_oKzNs0j/
thank you speed..live coverage..yes
i bet having a champion and legend mountain biker father helps a lot! mabey mental coaching all the time, or just having a great dad, John Tomac...gotta admire that! what a difference between the tomacs and some of the other fathers out their who get all agressive with their mx racer kids..
mabey Eli willl be the one to challenge Villipoto in a few years....and succeed..
Lets not forget who is coaching Roczen!!! Nothing is a sure thing in SX or MX. Remember James Stewartwas going to rule the game for many years, but something seems to bite him and take him out nearly every year. I hope Tomac can manage his goal but not over ride and make things worse by getting hurt. He really needs to be on a 450 because of his size but he can sure make that 250 sing.
Lets all hope for some good clean racing in both classes. Lets also hope everyone stays away from the medic cart this year. I love this sport and the more we have out there the better the racing from first to 20th.
Kevin making a guest appearance, better watch out Jeff.
Haven't seen anything about Barcia. He was on the ground for a while.
Yes me too wanna know how Barcia is? I will just be glad when they get out of that place called Califonia! Too many races there! Besides I dont wann stay up till midnight jjust for the first races! Then I give up , cant sleep and get up at 3am to see who won. I never cared how they did it in CA! I remember Jimmy Weinert wearing a T-Shirt to that effect back in the 70's!
Yeah move over Emig, and bring in the talented vocals of KW! As for Eli, only 2 dogs out there charging like they own it - Villopoto & Tomac, can't wait for the graduation of Tomac, the next 'RC' dominator.
You would think that they could at least have one less race in California and put one back in New Orleans.