With the 250 Motocross championship already in hand, GEICO Honda rider Eli Tomac could have taken the conservative route at Saturday’s Red Bull Lake Elsinore National.
Instead, the Cortez, Colorado-based pro turned in another stellar performance, finishing second and first in the day’s two motos to take the overall title for the eighth time this year.
Eli Tomac (GEICO Honda CRF250R Motocross) says: “I’m not going to say it was easy because this was the hottest race we’ve had all year. It said 99 on the thermometer but it felt a lot hotter than that. It was brutal. But I wanted to finish strong for my GEICO Honda team. These guys have been behind me 100 percent and it’s sweet to finish my 250 career with another overall.”
Tomac earned his 14th individual moto win in the final race after Blake Baggett was penalized one spot for ignoring a red cross flag and flying over a jump when the medical staff was attending to another rider.
Eli Tomac says: “I didn’t know that until after the race. I thought I went 2-2, but still had the overall. Then they interviewed us for TV and that’s what it seemed like but after all that we got the word Baggett was penalized so we got the win. No matter what, it was a great season and I enjoyed the battle with Ken Roczen. Now we’ll switch to 450s and see how that goes.”
Teammate Zach Osborne earned some of the limelight by sweeping both Motorcycle Superstore Holeshot Awards on the day. Osborne parlayed those quick starts into finishes of fifth and fourth place for an overall ranking of fifth.
Zach Osbourne (GEICO Honda CRF250R Motocross) says: “(Saturday) went really well for me,” Osborne said. “I had two holeshots and two solid motos, I finished in the top five in both races and made a good late charge to get fourth place at the end of the day. I feel like I should have made it to the podium but it didn’t work out that way.
“I feel very fortunate and happy to have made it through 24 motos this summer without any injuries. I’m healthy and excited for the break.”
Wil Hahn, who clinched the holeshot title at the last event in Utah, went 6-6 for an overall sixth-place finish.
Wil Hahn (GEICO Honda CRF250R Motocross) says: “To end the year with two strong rides is great. It gives me a lot of momentum going into the off season. We have a big transition to the 450 class to work on and to feel this fresh and strong is a good way to start the training it’s going to take.”
The heat seemed to affect Justin Bogle and newcomer Matt Bisceglia the most. Bogle went 8-11 for an overall finish of eighth but required an IV in the medical trailer after the event. Bisceglia (16-15 for overall 15) was in better shape, but admitted to his three-race stint as a professional being a real eye-opener.
Matt Bisceglia (GEICO Honda CRF250R Motocross) says: “It was so gnarly and hot out there. To see guys like Eli and Ken Roczen ride so hard and keep up that pace in this heat shows me that I need to really get to work this off-season and take my personal fitness to an even higher level. Those guys are incredible. Everyone at this level is so good.
“I really enjoyed this time. I’m honored and proud to be a part of the best team in racing. I know what I need to do to prepare for Supercross so I’ll probably take a few weeks off and then get right after it. I want to be ready to go in January.”
