Page 14 - Issue_68

ELI TOMAC
450 SX / 3RD
IMAGE / KILPATRICK WORDS / QUARNBERG DESIGN / MOTOPLAYGROUND
>> It’s easy to think about what would’ve happened if Monster Energy Kawasaki rider wouldn’t have his series of bad luck early in the season. Each season fans dream of an epic showdown between the top 450 riders come Las Vegas. Tomac had the gear malfunc- tion and also dealt with a shoulder injury which cost him some highly valuable points. The amazing thing about Tomac, is when he comes back from injury, it’s as if he never skipped a beat. Immediately Tomac is standing atop the podium and challenging for wins. It’s very possible that Tomac will be within grasp of the championship near the end of the 2018 Monster Energy Supercross season. As long as Tomac stays on two wheels and avoids injury, Rockstar Husqvarna rider Jason Anderson may begin to feel the pressure from number three. Tomac had a solid night in Atlanta and nished third overall. In main number one, Tomac was involved a huge battle with Anderson and Smartop Motoconcepts Justin Brayton etc. Tomac had no problem showing Jason Anderson that he still means busi- ness when she slammed his front wheel into El Hombre’s rear wheel when trying to make a pass. Tomac however had bigger issues on his hands than Anderson, as Red Bull KTM Marvin Musquin closed in on him and eventually got by Tomac. With one lap left, Tomac cruised to a fth place nish in the rst race of the evening. Eli placed himself in a decent position with that fth place nish and kept up the momentum as the gate dropped for main event number two. At this time in the night, the track did appear to be drying out a bit which made the track a bit one lined and more dif cult to pass. Traction was a bit more dif cult to come by and passing options began to decrease. Tomac began to pressure Monster En- ergy Yamaha Cooper Webb for second. Tomac had Webb within his grasp when he came up short in a rhythm section and luckily saved himself front tasting the red clay of Atlanta. Tomac had to settle for third. With once chance left for glory, one last hoorah in Atlanta, Tomac was all in for the last main event of the evening. The start wasn’t the best Tomac has ever had as he landed within the top 10 out of turn one, which meant it was time to put in some work if he wanted to stand atop the podium at the end of the night. Tomac charged hard and made some impressive passes to earn himself second in main number three securing himself third overall for the evening.
14 GRITMOTO • MARCH 4, 2018