Monday Conversation: Eli Tomac
Monday, June 11, 2012 | 11:30 AM
Alpinestars has been delivering performance of the highest level on the motocross tracks of the world for almost 50 years. Racing on Sunday and developing on Monday is a way of life at Alpinestars. Welcome to the Racer X Monday Conversation.
Tweet
Advertisement | Advertise with Us
Share
Comment
Email
Print
GEICO Honda’s Eli Tomac turned it up to another level in the second moto at the FMF High Point National, digging deep in a come-from-behind effort to win the race and then take the overall win via 2-1 scores. That makes ET the first rider this year to claim two 250 class overalls—and provides a huge confidence boost as well. ET talked about it in the post-race press conference
Racer X: That was probably the biggest smile we’ve ever seen behind the podium! Lots of man love there, you and your mechanic almost fell over! It was like the last race of the year there—but that was an unbelievable ride. Tell us about it. It was special.
Eli Tomac: Man, that second moto, it was a lot of work. I just never really gave up, I kept fighting, and then Kenny [Ken Roczen] made that little mistake right there at the end and I was able to capitalize on it.
Obviously you could see Roczen up there ahead. Did you see him go down? What happened there.
No, I didn’t see him go down. All of a sudden I just looked up, and he was right in front of me! I was like 'What the heck happened? I can win this thing!' I was glad I was able to turn it around for that second moto. First moto, I just rode kind of tight, and I actually got arm pump. I kind of blew it out there at the end, and held on for second, and that ended up being really important for the overall.
A furious charge in the second moto gave Eli Tomac the win and the overall.
Simon Cudby photo
Coming into the year, you had struggled before in some of the hot races. But you’ve really proven yourself this year, winning two of hottest ones we’ve had so far this year.
Yeah, definitely proved that at Texas, and yeah, I’m just not scared this year!
Where does that second moto rank for you as far as career rides? On TV, Emig said it was one of the best rides he had ever seen—not just from you, from anyone.
I definitely think it was [the best ride of my career]. I had to make it happen from so far back. In Texas, I did start a little ways back, but not at the back of the pack, and it just seemed like it was easy to make passes there. Here, that spot where I made the passes—around Justin [Barcia] and Kenny, where I went square square before the RC double, that was the only place I could find on the track where I could really make anything happen. It was kind of flat, and I could kind of flat track it through there. That was my spot to make passes.
It seemed like a lot of riders said it was hard to find lines to pass. When you were battling with Barcia, you were able to get next to him over and over, but couldn’t quite get around for awhile. Was that because those lines would go away before you could complete the pass?
Yeah, there were lines and you could get next to a guy, but it seemed like the fast guys would just go in the fast line and it would make it hard to make that pass stick. A lot of times, I would get next to Justin, but you can’t go anywhere because you you’d get out of the main line, or you’d be into the outside line—you had to be smart. You could have easily over did it trying to make a pass and gotten into trouble.
Can you point to something different from last week? You were good last week but it seemed like you were on another level, here, and Freestone was kind of the same thing. Anything different today?
Man, I guess my riding was just on. My starts, they’re just really getting annoying! I don’t know if I’m like five pounds heavier than everyone else or what. The thing is that last week and this week, we had an uphill start. I’m hoping we can get back to a flat start, so hopefully I can yank my weight down the straightaway or something.
With his win at High Point Tomac becomes the first repeat winner in the 250 class in 2012.
Simon Cudby photo
How bad was the start in the second moto.
I think I was like sixth or eighth or something. But the first moto, I ended up clicking third gear coming off the pad, and I just bogged. I had a better jump in that moto, but everyone went past me right there. The second moto, my start just wasn’t that good.
Did you think you could win the second moto at that point?
I didn’t really know what to think! Kenny was almost out front the way Barcia was in the first moto, so when you’re that far back, you don’t really expect it. It just ended up working out.
You came from way back. Go through that moto a little more.
Me and Barcia were just training each other for what seemed like forever. I was just eating roost. I was able to find that spot—it was after the start, into that big sweeper, before the RC double. To make it happen you had to square the turn before the RC double and then square again to get back to the inside.
You guys had a pretty good pace going with Justin, but when Kenny went down, and you could actually see him, do you feel like you picked it up even more?
Yeah, I feel like I had another gear. It was just a matter of trying to make that pass stick right there.
Your thoughts on going to Budds Creek next weekend?
Should be good, I like that track. They have lots of elevation, but luckily for me, not off the start. The dirt is good, it has a bunch of lines. It should be a good one.
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
I really like how all the riders, not just Eli, want badly to win the overhaul. They dont care that the points may work out as a push on some days, they want the overhaul, the biggest trophy and the bonus. But more than that, they want their name in the record books as THE WINNER!!
The other 250 riders better be looking out for Tomac the Terrible!!! He is lookin like one bad dude! Congrats to the 17!!!
I like Eli, if Kenny don't make it happen this year, I'm all for Eli taking home the number 1 plate.
Tomac is the future of the for-five-oh class, not Barcia. Tomac is stronger physically and he has the body weight to make the 450 track where he wants it to go.
Tomac in his 3rd year, I'm glad to see Tomac riding so well. Considering how he was pretty much a non-factor the last 2 years minus is stellar 1st race. It would be nice to see the consistant Wilson out there.
It does look like this year that the Geico Honda engines have stepped up now that they aren't with PC, Now only if the KTM can match the power of PC and Geico.
Tomac is a badass. Might be a minute early but Tomac, Dungey & Stewart (if he heels up in time) for MXoN...
Is Tomac staying on a 250 next year? If Honda brings Tomac and Barcia up to 450's then there may not have room for Canard. I'm gussing Eli stays down in the 250's another year. I havent herd much about him next year.
Tomac's moto 2 was a ride of manly men and the pass on Kroc was TEXT BOOK. fantastic ride....highly enjoyable to watch...making a fan out of me ..for sure. Good ride by ALL the 250 guys this weekend...The name 'Lites" doesn't fit that class anymore. Man the 450 guys better get ready cause theres a full on herd of wild things headed that way...
I believe Tomac has another year with Geico and will defend his SX title and his (upcoming!) national title next year. He came in a year after Barcia. I really hope Stewart is healthy for the MXdN this year- we have Dungey and 3 incredible 250 riders.
WAS a great ride, but we forget pretty quickly. How about Baggett just last year after the reversed visor incident. And in 2007, in the 1st 250 moto, Townley damaged his front wheel on a footpeg at the start and limped around 3/4 of a lap to the pits for a front wheel change. He came out JUST in front of Josh Grant and RV, almost a complete lap down, after 2 laps. He rode like a madman from basically lapped up to 10th spot.He pulled away from the leaders while passing 30 guys in 30 minutes. It was awesome if you were there. Kinda odd, too, to see half the crowd focusing and cheering on some guy in 34th place. Just an amazing ride. Been to H-P a zillion times and it just might be the best ride I ever saw there on a 250.
Yeah I think this ride was a little overrated. Kenny crashed. Tomac didn't run him down. I think had Bagget not of crashed he would of been in the same situation. I dunno, I just think people forget anything more than one moto old.
Did you hear Jeff emig sayin in moto one. "it really has been the big 3, rather than big 4. Kenny has been just a bit off". Rounds 1 and 3 the guy was only really slower than Baggett.
Decent recovery in the first moto and that 2nd moto ride was amazing. Way to go Eli!
Incredible RACE! Absolutely fantastic! Way to go ELI !!!
I think Tomac and all of the guys in the 125 er I mean 250 clas have a great future. It is gonna be some good stuff when thay all move up! They all can charge through the pack that is somthing that the open class is gonna find out!
I am impressed!
Great race Eli! Keep charging dude, you'll have that red plate again soon.
I think E.T's growth rate will determine his longevity in the class. If he grows much more, he will outweigh the bike / class / etc. Regional SX class not being as critical as MX, he could stay there but, no matter, he'll point-out of regional SX next year regardless.
This subject is probably a hot one over at Teams GEICO and American Honda.
Barcia is signed, sealed & delivered to Factory Honda next year but, considering Tomac's Amatuer career over @ Suzuki, he could theoretically end up over there. Either way, GEICO probably wants at least another year from E.T. whether he will fit the 250 or not (possibly taking over Windhams 450 ride).
We know Kawis future chips are on Adam Circumsomething, Honda has Barcia, Tomac (maybe), Bogle (maybe) and Bell (maybe). KTM has Roczen, Musquin (maybe) and Herlings (eventually). Suzuki can't afford squat and Yamaha doesn't even have a factory team so, what's the next big thing to do?
Tomac might be in the right position at the right time to create a bidding war between the Monster & Red Bull sponsored teams for his services.
MXoN looks like this: Dungey MX1, Eli or Blake Baggett MX2, and Barica MX3.