Eli Tomac Back On the Lites West Podium For GEICO Honda
January 31, 2011 11:40am
OAKLAND, Calif. -- Rookie GEICO Honda rider Eli Tomac took advantage of a strong start and avoided disaster to land on the podium for the second weekend in row in the Supercross Lites West race Saturday night at the inaugural Monster Energy Supercross event at Oakland Coliseum.
"I was very satisfied to get back on the podium," Tomac said following this third place finish. "Hopefully next weekend it'll all be put it all together and earn my first win.
"I just need to get out there and get another hole shot like I did tonight, but next weekend, not tip over like I did and sacrifice what could have been a win."
Tomac's teammates were also able to finish in the top 10 with Kevin Windham seventh in the Supercross main event and Jimmy DeCotis crossing the finish eighth in the Lites West main.
Tomac was leading the race for the first few laps but got caught up and fell off his Honda, losing positions. Tomac was never able to regain the lead, but he isn't letting that put a damper on his second straight podium finish. He said he's just now showing what he is capable of on his GEICO Honda.
"It was a really awesome night all in all," Tomac said, "I just made a little mistake and I can't do that when everyone else is going so fast but I'm getting there. I just need to put it all together and I'll get that No. 1 finish soon."
Tomac's teammate and fellow rookie DeCotis earned his third top 10 finish in as many appearances flying the GEICO colors.
"I'm pretty happy with my finish," DeCotis said. "I came from 17th. I made few passes, picked off a few guys, a few guys went down and I rode well. I didn't do anything stupid and had some fun out there."
DeCotis rode well on his 250cc machine and earned an eighth place finish. The rookie has been hovering around that position but is working hard to get up on the podium with Tomac.
"I really need to get away from seventh and eighth place," DeCotis said. "I just need to ride like it's practice because I ride great in practice then kind of let the nerves get to me in the main. If I do that, I think I'll be able to relax and finish towards the top."
DeCotis was named the replacement rider for Wil Hahn after Hahn suffered a season ending injury at the season opener in Anaheim. Hahn made an appearance in Oakland and was in high spirits showing support for his GEICO teammates.
"It was nice to get back out here," Hahn said. "Of course I want to be out there riding but DeCotis and all the GEICO guys are doing a great job. I can't wait to be back out here in a couple months."
Windham, the lone GECIO Honda rider in the 450cc class, raced to a seventh place finish during the fourth round of the 2011 Monster Energy Supercross series.
"This class is so tough right now," Windham said. "Everyone is fast, and the guys at the front are riding crazy fast."
The veteran rider, who is competing in his 17th professional season, ran a strong race but couldn't find the right combination for a podium finish.
"I need to keep pushing myself," Windham said, "but there's a thin line between pushing hard enough to win and pushing so hard that you're going to beat yourself by crashing and not finishing. I've got to figure out that balance."
The next stop on the 2011 Monster Energy Supercross series will be a Feb. 5 return to Angel Stadium in Anaheim, Calif., site of the season opener.
"I was very satisfied to get back on the podium," Tomac said following this third place finish. "Hopefully next weekend it'll all be put it all together and earn my first win.
"I just need to get out there and get another hole shot like I did tonight, but next weekend, not tip over like I did and sacrifice what could have been a win."
Tomac's teammates were also able to finish in the top 10 with Kevin Windham seventh in the Supercross main event and Jimmy DeCotis crossing the finish eighth in the Lites West main.
Tomac was leading the race for the first few laps but got caught up and fell off his Honda, losing positions. Tomac was never able to regain the lead, but he isn't letting that put a damper on his second straight podium finish. He said he's just now showing what he is capable of on his GEICO Honda.
"It was a really awesome night all in all," Tomac said, "I just made a little mistake and I can't do that when everyone else is going so fast but I'm getting there. I just need to put it all together and I'll get that No. 1 finish soon."
Tomac's teammate and fellow rookie DeCotis earned his third top 10 finish in as many appearances flying the GEICO colors.
"I'm pretty happy with my finish," DeCotis said. "I came from 17th. I made few passes, picked off a few guys, a few guys went down and I rode well. I didn't do anything stupid and had some fun out there."
DeCotis rode well on his 250cc machine and earned an eighth place finish. The rookie has been hovering around that position but is working hard to get up on the podium with Tomac.
"I really need to get away from seventh and eighth place," DeCotis said. "I just need to ride like it's practice because I ride great in practice then kind of let the nerves get to me in the main. If I do that, I think I'll be able to relax and finish towards the top."
DeCotis was named the replacement rider for Wil Hahn after Hahn suffered a season ending injury at the season opener in Anaheim. Hahn made an appearance in Oakland and was in high spirits showing support for his GEICO teammates.
"It was nice to get back out here," Hahn said. "Of course I want to be out there riding but DeCotis and all the GEICO guys are doing a great job. I can't wait to be back out here in a couple months."
Windham, the lone GECIO Honda rider in the 450cc class, raced to a seventh place finish during the fourth round of the 2011 Monster Energy Supercross series.
"This class is so tough right now," Windham said. "Everyone is fast, and the guys at the front are riding crazy fast."
The veteran rider, who is competing in his 17th professional season, ran a strong race but couldn't find the right combination for a podium finish.
"I need to keep pushing myself," Windham said, "but there's a thin line between pushing hard enough to win and pushing so hard that you're going to beat yourself by crashing and not finishing. I've got to figure out that balance."
The next stop on the 2011 Monster Energy Supercross series will be a Feb. 5 return to Angel Stadium in Anaheim, Calif., site of the season opener.
