Eli Tomac hasn’t exactly had the best season, at least not by his standards, and at this point in the season the 450 National Championship is nothing but a faint hope for the Monster Energy Kawasaki rider. But that doesn’t mean he doesn’t still want to win, which is exactly what he did over the weekend in Washougal, a venue that’s brought him plenty of success in the past. Here’s what he had to say about his 2-1 performance in the post-race press conference.
Racer X: Congratulations, Eli.
Eli Tomac: Thanks, it was a good day. And it was no fluke, there wasn’t any sand this time! I guess you could call it a real track! First moto was a little bit bumpy, I was a little bit off and was tight the first half of the race. Wasn’t as good of a start either in that first moto. Going into the second moto, got a little bit better start and got to the front pretty quick. When I made the pass on Kenny [Roczen], he pretty much gave it to me after the finish line. I was on the inside, he was on the outside and let off. At that point I took it and, shoot, laid it down after that.
Late in the race you already had like an eight-second lead and you laid down the fastest lap of the race. Is that something you’re aware of? Were you pushing to keep the lead, or were you just in a rhythm?
I was just in a good rhythm. The last thing you want to do is change up your rhythm or think about being safe. There are times when you can push too much, but you’re better off to stay in your groove.
I don’t think Kenny’s ever beaten you at this track. Is that something you think about when you come here?
Yeah. I mean, I’ve had a good past here. Obviously I wasn’t here last year, but in 2014 I think I was second, and in 2013 I won here. I’ve had a good past here.
You talked about that fluke thing, in the sand, and Daytona, that was a one off race, is that something that bugs you?
It did bug me a little bit because, I’m not only a sand rider, you know? I haven’t gotten to where I am by being [only] a good sand rider, we literally only have one sand race a year, and that’s at Southwick.
A lot of the other riders have talked about the track deteriorating in the second moto, but you seemed to excel in the second moto.
Yeah, the track ended up drying out a little bit more. It seemed like there were a few lines I changed on the outside that I wasn’t doing in the first moto, but also kept some of the lines from the first moto. It did break down, but this track doesn’t really get crazy rough. It’s more slick, and you have to have throttle control here and there. There aren’t huge bumps anywhere. There are a few on the hills but nothing out of control.
Considering it rained yesterday, were you surprised at how dry it was?
I was. It seemed like it was one of the hardest Washougals I’ve ridden. I was surprised it didn’t develop deeper, taller ruts.
Your starts have been way better lately. What’s the difference?
Just… I don’t know, a couple bike changes that make it more consistent in getting off the gate. Changes that make it easier.
Talking Motocross of Nations, are you in for Team USA? Has anyone talked to you about it?
I haven’t had any talks with anyone about the team.
But if they asked you to do it, would you do it?
I think so. I mean, it’s not something everyone is totally looking forward to just because how packed our schedule is getting. We’re racing now, there’s the Monster Cup and two GPs before that, so the race schedule is getting pretty wild. But hey, if it’s for our country we’ll go over there and fight and do what we can.
Can you give us a bit of insight, now that we’re this far into the season, how your communication with the team has evolved? How have you gelled with the team and the bike in trying to exploit both your strengths and the bike’s strengths?
It’s always a building process from one team to another team. Everyone speaks a different language. This is our first outdoor season and we’re definitely coming around—we just clicked off our second win. I felt really good today in that second moto.
Are you happy at this point in the season with what’s happened so far? Are you content with how things are going for you this season?
If I would have gotten third again this weekend like I did last weekend, I wouldn’t be content. But now that we took another step forward and got another win, I think we’re making good progress. I just gave away a little too much at the beginning. We couldn’t expect too much out of each other at the beginning, it’s a process.
What are you going to do during the break?
Take a little bit of time off, a few days off. Not a whole lot. I’ll go back to Colorado, and I’ll also see my brother.