by Davey Coombs
250 Words: San Diego
Sunday, February 12, 2012 | 12:50 PM
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PrintWe knew a whole new series was about to start, but we were thinking it would be next week! In one bone-jarring moment Eli Tomac went from having the championship in hand to losing 24 points and the West Region championship lead to Dean Wilson in Monster Energy AMA Supercross. The GEICO Honda rider was a victim of a self-inflicted solo crash in the whoops, which were more beefy than they were in the first five weeks of the series as he built his points lead. It was a reminder once again of Yogi Berra's immortal advice, “It ain't over until it's over.” Tomac's crashed snapped a three-race winning streak and completely changed the storyline here, as even the rider himself noted in the GEICO team's PR:
"We've made (the championship chase) interesting, which is something we didn't want to do, but we've got plenty of time to recover and rest now so that's what we'll do. We'll reload and get ready for the last three races. I'm not going to change anything I've been doing because it's been a great season so far. We just had some unfortunate luck tonight."
Photo: Simon Cudby
It also pretty much changed the question of whether or not Tomac would rest on his points lead or jump up to a 450 for the next few weeks while the Lites West goes on hiatus—he now has work to do here regardless of whether he rides the 450 or not. As for Wilson, the Monster Energy/Pro Circuit Kawasaki rider is now in the driver's seat for this championship, albeit with just two points to spare. Having lost the East last year to Tomac's teammate Justin Barcia, the defending Lucas Oil Pro Motocross 250 Champion can avenge himself here, but he's going to have to wait until April to move forward. He's got the momentum now, but things could be much different by then.
One thing is for certain: both Eli and Dean-O can thank the whoops for their respective sudden change of fortunes.
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Tomac and Wilson are going to give us a great battle for years to come, both will transitions to 450 very well.....
I had a feeling Eli was gonna go down. Dude shoulda just relaxed a little and finished the race. Instead, he was riding way too aggresive, over jumping everything, and I seen it coming.... Sure did make the rest of the west series way more interesting! Putting that wind in Deano's sail was a very very bad idea!
Deano will not win the championship. Eli will dominate the final 3 rounds!!
gentlemen, it seems we have ourselves a whole new west coast championship
perfect
I really like both the riders (not a Honda fan, but that would take a while :-) ).
Feel bad for Eli but wow does this make for a great championship battle down the stretch. I was about to write the west coast title off, but now I am re-engaged!
I am looking forward to both these guys in the 450 class and doing battle. Man the talent these days is epic.
I seen Eli do that silly outside off the start in the heat. Was watching him ride. I said to the missus "he ain't going to win tonight". Just before the Musquin thing I said he is over riding the track, being a clown. I think he is going to crash.
I think Eli may of just got a little ahead of himself in believing too much that he should be in first. It all comes with age. I would love to see Wilson win the championship. However I think now that Eli may be brought down a peg, he will just regroup faster.
Either way be great to see one of these guys win. Though I would love to of seen Musquin closer in points.
If someone told me that ET would not hold the red plate during the break, I would have bet the house. Good thing no one did. I would be homeless.
Yo Blackjack you wanna make a wager on the outcome of Seattle! High Stakes bro!
What are you thinking MXPete450?
Who's your guy?
Remember that Seattle does not have ur typical flow to it cause of the 6ft deep ruts. Was funny watchin Tickle a couple years ago riding with his feet on the gas tank, wide open through a section that I have never seen before. They have to change that venue, every year I swear it is the last time but I always go back! Anyone know the capacity and floor space of the Tacoma Dome? Or Safeco right next door.
I will bet you my wife that neither Dean or Eli will stand atop the box! I win either way lol!
Both Wilson and Tomac came second last year. It's gonna come down to who least wants to have that feeling for 2 years in a row. My heart says Eli, but right now, my brain says Deano.. Either way this class just got way more interesting.
MXrider874 I will have to disagree with You! If Dean rides the way he did at San Diego it will be a battle until the final round. Both guy's are awesome but I don't think Eli will win the final three races. I'm pullin for #15 all the way, then look out 450 Riders!
I like them all and generally root for the underdog. What ever brings the points closer is the flavor of the day. I take pride in the USA so I am proud of the American based riders. My comment was really a remark about the turn of events that happen in an instant. I do like to wager but I will not bet the house. I do think ET is the favorite.
Bet the wife!!! Ha Ha
I was kidding about the wager. The only thing I own of value is a kxf450r. Parked in the kitchen......oooohh yeah! Bachelor life.
Does anyone agree that the whoops were unfair for the lites privateer? Also does anyone know how big the Horsepower difference between a high budget team compared to a true privateer in the Lites div?
I am not certain but I think I remember the FMF Honda Sattelite team(white bikes) were claiming 41hp out of there 125's. Does this sound right?
BD25 wrote: "Tomac and Wilson are going to give us a great battle for years to come, both will transitions to 450 very well....."
Yes, but it will be for second place, because little Ken Rotznase will be out front, doing what he does best, and that´s kickin yankie ass. LOL.
The next race isn't for 10 weeks, then it's essentially a 2-race championship. That's a long time.
I don't think Tomac was doing anything different than he did every other lap. Those whoops were gnarly, and if a rider made a mistake, they went down hard.
Actually it's a 3-race championship - Seattle, SLC, and Vegas.
I was bummed for Eli, I am big fan of him and I was hoping he would be on the box, race some 450s in the East, and then come back to wrap up the West Lites. However, all of the young guns in the Lites are prone to throwing a race away. Seeley and Wilson have had their bad nights, ditto for Musquin. These guys are all just a little less consistent in their riding than a seasoned 450 rider.
Can't wait for the Bam-Bam and Roczen show in the East!
I keep forgetting that the Las Vegas rounds counts in the championship. They just changed that last year. It'll take it a few years to register.
Didn't EuroMike promise to crawl under a roc zen never come back?