2014 Motocross Season
GEICO Honda rider Eli Tomac completed a remarkable season in the 450cc motocross class with a third-place overall finish at the Utah National on Saturday at Miller Motorsports Park.
Tomac raced in eight of the 12 outdoor races this summer after returning from an injury, yet still finished fifth in the season points standings. He scored one win and seven podium finishes during his abbreviated motocross campaign.
“The podium is awesome,” Tomac said. “For my first 450 season, I’m somewhat satisfied I would say. I got seven podiums, so hopefully next year I can start the series out fresh.”
Tomac finished fourth and third in the two motos Saturday for his fourth overall third of the season.
“Moto 1 I almost got the holeshot,” Tomac said. “I was really close and then just got beat out going into the second corner. Then I just kinda stayed in fourth that entire race trying to catch those front guys.
“Somewhere near halfway I ended up having a little tip-over. After that I just kinda had to stay in fourth, and that’s just how that one went.”
Tomac again battled with the top three in the second moto, making a move on Ken Roczen to get third.
“I got another pretty good start and then actually the same guys were in front of me again,” Tomac said. “Then I ended up making my way past Roczen, so that’s what got me into the podium position that time, which was nice.
“Trey (Canard) and (Ryan) Dungy were just hauling butt, so it was tough to hang into those guys.”
The pass on Roczen was typical Tomac during the outdoor season, as his aggressiveness was on display.
“I was able to get on the inside of him,” Tomac said. “This track was tough for how muddy it was earlier in the day, so it was tough to make those passes. You just had to kinda dive-bomb it in there.”
Next up for Tomac is the prestigious Motocross of Nations event on Sept. 27-28 in Latvia. Tomac is part of the United States team that includes Dungey and Jeremy Martin that will take on the world’s best.
“I think we have a really good team with Dungy and Martin,” Tomac said. “I’m going to take a week and a half off or so and go home. Then I’ll come back swinging and try to bring the trophy home for the USA.”
