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ELI TOMAC
450 SX / 1ST
IMAGE / LANNAN WORDS / MATTINGLY DESIGN / MOTOPLAYGROUND
>> As the eld storms into the at, salt-like surfaces of the Las Vegas outskirts, a true sense of gambling and risk has over taken the eld. On one hand, you have those in the pilot seat, who are in command of the table. Most often, they’ll play it safe, folding and calling the dealer when necessary. Then there are those who are a tad behind,
and are playing with a bit of “all in” mentality. Eli Tomac has a bit of mix, as he knows how well he sits in the points series, yet he wants to go out on top. The pride of winning can sometimes overshadow the conservative mentality of what should be done, and in the end, you’re only as good as your last race. He seemed to take the aforementioned notion, and really put a stamp on the series, beginning with his practice rounds. His ma- chine could be heard above all else, as his tires began to skate along this glossy race- way. He held himself to the highest of standards, never settling to be an afterthought of the itinerary and attendance program; he was here to win, and put a nal stamp on the 2018 Monster Energy AMA Supercross season. Chad Reed would come out to an early outing up front, getting many of the Las Vegas faithful on their feet. However, Tomac would soon make his presence known, as he obliterated these concrete whoops; the chassis of his Kawasaki 450 acting like a jackhammer to these compact obstacles. Lap after lap, while everyone else in the eld was above the one minute and two second mark; he would come away with a remarkable one minute at. He simply couldn’t be stopped, and would stretch to an eight second lead, by the nal ag. And then, once the main event began, he wanted to reiterate that notion. A smooth gate drop and holeshot, found Tomac out in front, leading Musquin in the early going. The two would latch on to one another, truly distancing themselves from the eld. He would hold the lead, doing the little things, to add to a substantial gap. For example, he would hop through these substantial sand rollers, and up over the last y away single; something that no one else in the eld would attempt. And with instances like that, the lead would grow. So much so, that Musquin wouldn’t ever contest. It was Tomac’s for the taking, and the number three would go out on top.
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GRITMOTO • MAY 6, 2018