Honda’s Tomac Set for A2 Supercross
Despite winning his first career Monster Energy Supercross race in the 450cc class last week in Phoenix, GEICO Honda rider Eli Tomac is fighting out of a deep hole in the championship standings.
As the series heads to Angel Stadium this Saturday for Round 3 of the 2015 season, Tomac is seventh in the standings, 21 points behind leader Ken Roczen. He’s that far behind because of an uncharacteristic mistake at the season-opener in Anaheim two weeks ago.
“Just the way it happened, it’s something I can’t really believe, but it did happen,” Tomac said. “The points are something I can’t dwell on because considering how long the series is, it’s not worth worrying about.”
Tomac, picked by many to win the 450 championship this season, has shown plenty of speed in the first two races, but after Roczen jumped to a quick lead in Phoenix last weekend, some figured the race was over.
But as confident as Tomac is now, he wasn’t worried.
“Maybe some people thought it was over but I sure didn’t,” Tomac said. “Early on I was staying right there with Kenny, so I knew he wasn’t way faster than me. I was riding a comfortable pace with him.
“There were spots where I was making big time, and when I got close enough I didn’t want to wait around. Our class is so gnarly that you know third or fourth can creep up on you, too.”
So Tomac attacked, and he and Roczen put on a show for the fans in Phoenix. Tomac eventually got by after a furious battle and went on to win the race by more than six seconds.
The race may have been a preview of the season-long title fight, as Tomac and Roczen have been the fastest riders through the first two races, and if Phoenix was any indication, fans are in for more treats in 2015.
“That’s one good thing about Kenny and I: We respect each other and have the same mind-set,” Tomac said. “We look toward the future and not just one race, like it’s the end of the world. This was fun.”
