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ELI TOMAC
450 SX / 2ND
IMAGE / KILPATRICK WORDS / MATTINGLY DESIGN / MOTOPLAYGROUND
>> The New England Patriots, have absolutely obliterated the NFL for the past few decades. Year after year, they’re constantly at the forefront of the playoff hunt, in contention for Super Bowl titles, and championships. They leave a lingering aura, wherever they go. The presence of professionalism is a trickle-down effect, coming from the front of ce, and general man- agers, through the deepest of substitutes. It’s a stench that doesn’t necessarily need to be removed, as Eli Tomac likes to engulf himself, with a must of excellency. He feels that when he’s around people, or situations that force him to elevate, is when he excels the most. With competition swarming in practice, his back began to be pressed into the wall. Although his adrenaline would spike, and episodes of “ ght or ight” would arise, he would thrive. His num- ber was in constant circulation of the leaderboard, and the smirk under his helmet couldn’t
be hidden. It re ected well into the loading of the gate for his heat. It was though everyone began to close in on him, following his rst lap antics. He would come across timing and scor- ing, registering sixth. He was a man on a mission, working his way past the likes of Weston Peick, and Chad Reed. It was Barcia out front, with Baggett in second, and Tomac third. He managed to squeak by the number for, now just the Yamaha in front. He would hound the number 51, peaking a nose in multiple bowl turns. But barely, oh so barely, at the line, would the Yamaha sneak across with the win, and Tomac second. The main event was now here, and Tomac knew he would have to get a great start, in order to avoid traf c. Second off the line, he would trail Musquin, allowing the French-man to get a tad bit of a gap. The lead would sustain, holding, as the dust would continue to accumulate, and ll the arena. Ruts were really beginning to deepen, but Tomac’s familiar style of rear-wheel riding would begin to close in on Musquin, with just a few laps to go. Then, Tomac would blitz by Musquin in the rhythm lane, with the clock winding down. Block passing in the left-hander, all seemed to be well, looking to set sail on the eld. However, the following lap, Musquin would come from the inside, landing the opening rhythm lane to the right; Tomac, meanwhile, was squaring up the adjacent bowl turn. The result? An absolute SLAM, from the KTM rider, causing Tomac to fall to the ground; and gesture to ensue. He would remount however, disgusted, but come across the line in second.
10 GRITMOTO • APRIL 22, 2018