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ELI TOMAC
450 MX / 1ST
IMAGE / LANNAN WORDS / KUHLHOFF DESIGN / TILLS
>> Eli Tomac was a man on a mission at Muddy Creek. After a fourth place overall finish at High Point last weekend, the Monster Energy Kawasaki rider was looking for redemption at round five. The sweltering June heat was noth- ing compared to the heat that the riders lining up for moto one were ready to bring. The roar of bikes filled the air of the natural amphitheater of the beautiful, rolling Tennessee hills. The thirty-second card went up; the gates went down. The eyes of excited fans searched for Tomac as riders funneled through the
first 180-degree turn. Eli found himself in the eighth place spot early in the race after a rough start, but he was prepared to charge in his search for a podium position. Tomac soon finds fourth place after a pass on Peick, but still had two more Suzuki riders in sight. Eli Tomac made passes on Bogle and Barcia, strid- ing into the second place spot. With Anderson’s hefty lead, Tomac was too far back to make any more moves and finished moto one in second place. In his podium interview, Tomac said that he is using comments from rival competitor Blake Baggett as motivation. Would it be enough motivation for Eli to grab an overall win? Only time would tell as riders prepared for, what was bound to be, and exhilarating second moto. Gates dropped and Tomac is off to a great start in third behind Canard in second and Bogle with the Holeshot. With the lead within his line of sight, Tomac charged and was able to dart around the outside of Canard. The opening lap action was not done there though, Bogle went down and Eli Tomac was able to move into the first place spot. Letting his riding do the talking, Tomac sailed through the remainder of the moto and finished 26 seconds ahead of Jason Anderson in second place. Eli Tomac was departing round five with an overall W and heading into round six only 4 points behind current championship leader, Blake Baggett. REDBUD will definitely be one to tune in for, that’s a fact.
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GRITMOTO • JUNE 25, 2017