Insight: Eli Tomac
Monday, October 22, 2012 | 11:40 AM
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PrintGEICO Honda is going to have a really tough time keeping Eli Tomac down on a 250 now that he's proven himself capable on the big bike—capable as in winning one of the three main events at the Monster Energy Cup, against established names like Ryan Dungey and Chad Reed. Seriously, ET is fired up about riding the 450 again. And not so much about going back to the 250s.
Racer X: Let’s start in practice. You looked fast in the first one, and then there was a little problem.
Eli Tomac: Yeah and I was giving it in the first two practices and then just made a little mistake there on the quad over, triple over, whatever you want to call it through the table thing. I hung my rear wheel and I was just like, ‘Oh, I’ve got a 450. I can just power out.’ But I got a little looped out and did like a dead sailor and just went flying over the berm. Luckily enough, there was no one there because I landed right in the next lane. I kind of smashed my heel in, but did my shoulder in more. It was hurting. My arm was kind of dead. It just felt like I had a massive dead arm until like the third moto.
Really? Like through the races and everything?
Well, it like wore off, but it was kind of in my head at the start and I was just kind of riding around. It felt like the first two, I was just going with the flow, not attacking. But I also didn’t get the holeshot, so I was just kind of timid in there.
But you weren’t riding the same after that crash?
No, I definitely wasn’t riding the same after the crash as I was just at the beginning of the day. It just took the edge off the sword.
Tomac would overcome a crash in practice to finish third overall on the night, which included a win in the third main event.
Simon Cudby photo
So, by the third one, it was better?
By the third one, I was just like, ‘Man, what am I doing?’ I finally executed a proper start. [Mike] Alessi actually beat me to the first corner, but then he kind of took a little adventure off into the hay bales. Man, it just seems like I timed the joker lane really good tonight, too. I kind of had a spot in the back here where I could kind of eye guys out. Like, I had Josh [Grant] and that one was a really close one. I was close enough to where I could get a run on him. That kind of saved me because, if I had been behind him for another lap or a couple of corners, Dunge or [Justin] Barcia could’ve gotten enough to get back in front of me. That was the moment of that race.
You passed Dunge and Barcia with the joker, right?
With the joker, yeah. When they both went in.
So what did you think? Did you get an advantage with taking it early, or you were faster the rest of the way around?
I think there was [an advantage]. In that third moto, I was just a little bit faster than those two.
So you made it up time around the whole track and then used the joker to make the pass?
Yup. Made it up after I took it.
Did you even know where you were in the third race, points wise? Because you were in the middle of the Barcia and Dungey race, and you could have swung the overall either way. Did you know that? Did it matter?
I knew Barcia had like five on me, Dunge must have had three or four. My goal was to beat Alessi and Reed to get third. So that was in my head. First was a little bit of a long shot. Something could have happened out there, but that’s kind of where I was at.
Coming in here on a 450, I’d heard you had been riding it pretty well on the test track and then practice obviously started off well. Were you excited? Maybe like, “Hey, I could maybe win this thing.”
I would hop on that thing right now for the season!
Tomac used the joker lane to his advantage in the third main en route to the win.
Simon Cudby photo
You really like it that much?
It’s just home to me. I’m just a 450 guy. I have to go race the pee-wee class for supercross, but I guess that’s just the way it is.
Maybe they shouldn’t have let you do this.
I know, because now I’m all fired up. [Laughs]
I mean, what is that, confidence wise, to go out and win on of the three mains against dudes that have raced this class all the time?
I mean, yeah, I beat a lot of big names. So it’s a good start, for sure.
So you don’t even think, “Oh, it’ll be fun when I go back to the 250. I can just throw it around.” Can you try that, to convince yourself?
It almost feels like a step backwards now.
I’m trying to help you be positive!
I know. It’s a bummer. It’s just the way it is.
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Glad ET gets some print, He flat out haneded it to RD and JB in moto 3!!
.When he took the Joker lane on lap 4 and RC said it was not a good move I said I think it is because he feels he has them coverd and if he takes it now and makes back some of the time he will not have to make a real pass on them and it worked out that way in the end. Smart and great ride by Tomac!!
Obviously for Geico/FC there are press opportunities galore in having Eli race the Lites SX again as a defending champ. Hopefully he can do some of the opposite coast rounds on the big bike. And I really think he should go up to 450 for outdoors, his size is starting to become a factor against the little guys on the 250 outdoors.
They are going to have a hard time getting him back on a 250 now!! he already wanted to ride 450 next year!! I hope they let him do it.
For $10 you can Pitbull
Hats off to Tomac - he showed that he is ready for big boy toys. I have always said (since last year) that KTM needs to make him an offer he cannot refuse and dump the euro contenders. You want top 'Merican press? Get a top 'Merican boy, then get another. Lose the european connection for maximum street credibility. When you get King of The Mountain status like my boys at Honda used to have, then do whatever you want. You need a 1-2 punch to counteract forces of nature such as Villopoto, Stewart, and Reed. Are you listening KTM?
Great ride by Tomac, happy to see Eli up front!! Which is better for Honda now..to run the #1 plate in one of the Lites coasts or to have another podium rider in the premier class?? To me, they have enough talent in the Lites class to win, especially with all the trouble PC riders are facing (injuries). Windham, while a crowd favorite, is not much of a threat to win one. Geico should want to be a threat to win both classes, that is more publicity, providing more bang for the advertising dollar and having Tomac move up, would accomplish just that.... Maybe we fans should start the on line drive to see if we can effect their decision...Here is one vote to see Sly Eli on the 450 at A1...
Hopefully Honda sells enough 2013 450s to sign ET to a contract....Between Bam Bam and ET that would give Honda a potent 1-2 punch for the next few years!!!
i'll second your notion BD
Sign him up for lites east, start off the season on a 450. If he's in the points chase then go all 450 - can they do that? Seems a waste of a year to ride lites again.
pee wee class! i love it! haha
Good ride for Eli. Like the way he was brought up by his parents. Anyone who rides can see his size and style are more suited towards 450's (thats KEY as they like to say) (dont mean to THROW ANYONE UNDER THE BUS) (wanted to make sure everyone was ON POINT with my statements)...
Anyone else feel like they were at the county fair? What a redneck rondevous that was. Why didnt they show the split gate not falling in the highlights? Oh yeah cause it was as stupid is as stupid does and thier lucky no one was maimed. Flame throwers on the "talledega turn" ??? wtf is this $hitkicker ho-down tractor pull theme? Joker lane? what a
oh nevermind You the fan sat through 3 and a 1/2 hours of the same 3 or 4 commercials not to mention that old skank erin (wheres double d?) to see maybe what? 45 minutes of racing?
All filler and not much killer.
Did enjoy seeing "believe the hype" FLAKING OUT AGAIN though.
JUST SAYIN
Funny motorhead, thought the same thing - I couldn't make it through. Had to go to bed and FF through everything the next morning.
Yeah Agman
Watched first moto sat. night. Had to get up 4:30 sunday for My son and I to race enduro sunday. Finished watching after 9pm last nite on dvr. Big thanks too whomever invented dvr so we could fastforward all the fluff stuff. Which was way to much for all the hype.
Typical in this day and age.
The Bosses want him on that 250 to get them another Regional title to hang on a wall. They dont care abou8t anything else.. I would like to see him run the 250 class outdoors again though.. See him beat the former GP Champs for the title.. I bet Roczen and Musquin want him to go up to the 450's also..
Careful what you wish for sometimes...those Euros (especially Roczen) will be tough to beat outdoors now that they've experienced all the tracks and a summer in the US.
jus sayin
"the peewee class...?' thats hilarious.........Tomac is a man....."i'd jump on that thing for the season right now" ....excellent....! Honda you listening....!....that dude through the sand rollers was spectacular........screw the pee wees........count my vote..
Dont' worry Canard will get hurt again and after SX Tomac will be on the Factory bike for the outdoor season
It would probably do the 250 class some good getting the dominators out it will give guys hope and they may step their game up kinda like how alessi rode this summer I'm willing to bet If everyone there he to would have had a "whats the use" attitude and not tried half as hard as he did
If everyone was* there
hope bam bam gets smoked this year
Eli is the man.
bd200 What the Bosses care about is a return on their investment. It is not the plaque or trophy, it is getting the public to buy what they are selling.. Is a regional title, worth more than the exposure they would get with him racing every week in the premier class? Honda already has Reed, Canard and Barcia on 450's, maybe they feel that is enough, I don't know. To me, stack the deck, Tomac would create a bigger buzz on a 450, as we are already talking about him, plus be another top 5 threat each week...
As for him staying on the 250 outdoors, he did not win the title this year, no guarantee he would next year. He will be bigger, Blazing Blake will be there to defend his title plus Roczen and Musquin will be much more in tune with what is going on this coming year. To top it off, Sly Eli wants to be on the 450, that would make him happy, and a happy Tomac is a Fast Tomac... Another vote to move him up!!!
I'm all for Tomac bumping up....he's got it.
@Not4show Writes;
Dont' worry Canard will get hurt again and after SX Tomac will be on the Factory bike for the outdoor season...
Do you really think (anyone) needs to hear (your) negative "Crystal Balling" about injuries in this already injury prone adaptation of Motocross.
Show some class, for once!!!
I was trying to think of who had room for Eli to stay on a honda in '14. He could take Windhams ride or even Reeds. Reed cant be thinking of doing this forever and he is getting factory bikes. I'd love to see him on a KTM but i dont see it happening. I can at least listen to him talk, Barcia drives me nuts, like there is something seriously wrong with him.
I don't see any reason why Geico would not sign him to ride a 450 for 2014. If not Reed said he wants to sign another rider but he wants a top rider who can contend for podiums and wins. Eli would be the perfect guy.
It's nice to hear some posts that have a grip on the reality of the situation.
Tomac is under contract with GEICO / FC Honda and he will do what they see as the best thing to represent their sponsors UNLESS Honda makes a power play for him.
At that point, who do you serve? The sponsor (GEICO) or the factory benefactor (Honda)?
It will be a tough time for Ziggy, Rock and all the fine folks at FC to navigate the rough waters that surely lie ahaead in this situation.
It's too bad that E.T. has outgrown the 250F outdoors but, at the end of the day, I hope GEICO / FC team can progress through this time without too much controversy or burning any bridges. They have achieved a lot and to hit the "big time" and then have something out of your control undermine that would be very sad.
Don't cry for Eli, he will be fine. Obviously there is enough talent, desire, dicipline and speed to have a great career no matter what comes his way.
Lastly, Honda should leave him alone (this year). They are deep in talent on the 450 which, ought to be good enough for them. Bringing him up will make waves over at their "official lites team" and make sponsor grievances that don't need to be brought up in these tough economic times.
@Carlsbad; Like you, I also believe in realism. Eli has stated publicly his (desire) to ride (not) the Pee-Wee Class any further. That said, there is only so many spots available in the sand box during this less than desirable world economy. Selling bikes will be the only economic reason for being able to financially create more spots on any, and every team in this advertising/sales based industry.
Personally, towards the last of 2011, Eli Tomac's physical stature was lending itself to moving away from the support class. During the 2012 season he really looked out of place on the smaller bike. Experience wise, this last year in the 250 Class provided him some excellent confidence building experience that was proven this last Saturday night in Las Vegas.
In my opinion, he is ready to take off the training wheels... and move to the "28' Schwinn," minus the cards in the spokes...
@ caseypons, I agree with all that. I'll tell you what, IF E.T. does move up, there will be a TON of red on the podium.
I think Eli is the odds-on favorite to win another 250F SX title no matter what region he rides but, like you (and others) have said, he's simply outgrown the chance at a 250F MX title. Hopefully, the GEICO people will understand this and let him move up. Since he's still under contract, the bike (250F or 450) will be covered in GEICO livery and they will get their exposure mileage anyway.
Carlsbad, as I pondered above, which would give Geico the most bang for the buck, securing another Lites division title or making Tomac, Windham's teammate in the premier class. I am sure there is a formula and some one putting a pencil to it, trying to decide which is best of Geico...It is great for Honda any way they go!!!
I alluded to it earlier, but I think the ideal situation for Geico is to have Eli defend his LItes SX title, and maybe hit a few east coast SX rounds on the 450. Not all of them, give him a bit of rest before the return to the west coast. Then put him on the 450 for the summer. Kdub is only racing SX, so Geico has bikes and support available for a 450 run. On the high speed tracks where power is a premium ET is going to be giving up a lot to Baggett, Roczen and Musquin who are all much smaller.
Plus Geico/FC Honda are not exactly "dry" in the Lites for outdoors as they have W Hahn who if he stays healthy all season (big if) should step up a level, plus Bogle who undoubtedly has talent and should be better in his sophomore season. And don't forget they have Zach Osbourne for 2013, and I think his speed plus being of a factory-backed bike is going to make him a serious threat for the 250 outdoors title.
roczen's bribing honda to move tomac up early.