Motocross Report
Rookie motocross rider Eli Tomac is only three races into his professional mx racing career and already the GEICO Powersports Honda rider is having to make some notable lifestyle changes.
Eli Tomac says: “For the first time in my life my dad actually told me to go play Xbox yesterday,” Tomac said. “He didn’t want me going out in the sun.”
After a wildly successful amateur career where he had plenty of time for his body to recover between races, Tomac said the week-in, week-out racing schedule of Lucas Oil AMA Motocross Championship requires some adjustments to his old routine.
“My last race, my starts really hurt me,” Tomac said. “I’m not sure if I was physically recovered from that race in Texas. My energy was just very flat.”
In order to be at his peak of performance for Saturday’s Budds Creek National, Tomac is actually pulling back on his training regiment.
“We’re taking it a lot more easy,” Tomac said. “I’m only going to be riding once this week. We want to make sure my body is nice and recovered.
“As an amateur we only raced like seven big nationals a year and didn’t race that much between because there’s not much racing around my area. This weekend-to-weekend stuff is new for me.”
Despite getting adjusted to life as a pro, Tomac is still among three GEICO Powersports Honda riders in the top 10 in the 250cc points standings. Tomac is in fifth, one spot behind teammate Trey Canard. Justin Barcia, who won a moto last weekend, is eighth.
250 Class Championship Standings:
1. Christophe Pourcel, France, Kawasaki, 129
2.Tyla Rattray, South Africa, Kawasaki, 102
3. Dean Wilson, Canada, Kawasaki, 100
4. Trey Canard, Shawnee, Okla., Honda, 93
5. Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Honda, 90
6. Broc Tickle, Holly, Mich., Yamaha, 89
7. Jake Weimer, Rupert, Idaho, Kawasaki, 80
8. Justin Barcia, Ochlocknee, Ga., Honda, 79
9. Wil Hahn, Decatur, Texas, Honda, 72
10. Tommy Searle, England, KTM, 60
Practice gets under way at 8:30 a.m. EDT, Saturday, with the opening ceremonies at noon and the first moto at 1 p.m.
