by Aaron Hansel
The Moment: High Point
Tuesday, June 12, 2012 | 9:35 AM
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Print“One more lap!” That was the sentiment in the rowdy High Point crowd at the end of the first 250 moto as winner Justin Barcia streaked across the finish line two seconds ahead of Eli Tomac, and another two seconds ahead of Blake Baggett. Tomac had come from way back to close in on Barcia, while Baggett had put on one of his patented charges from even farther back to do the same thing to Tomac. Had there been just one more lap, an extraordinary battle for the ages between some of the best 250 motocross racers in the world would have certainly erupted. Fortunately, there was another moto left, and this time, there would be one more lap, although the battle it would produce would be between Tomac and Ken Roczen, as Barcia had faded out of the fight late in the race, and a pair of crashes had taken Baggett out of contention.
The chance of late-race thrills became a reality when Roczen, who had accumulated a very large lead, went down late in the race. He was able to remount and get back under way with his once huge lead still intact, yet much smaller. Unfortunately for Roczen, Tomac was riding flawlessly, and when Tomac saw the German in his sights, it was all the motivation he needed to push his already crazed pace to the next level.
A late-race pass on Ken Roczen helped Eli Tomac capture his second overall on the season.
Andrew Fredrickson photo
“Man, that second moto, it was a lot of work. I just never really gave up, I kept fighting, and then Kenny made that little mistake right there at the end and I was able to capitalize on it,” Tomac said in the post-race press conference. “I didn’t see him go down. All of a sudden I just looked up, and he was right in front of me! I was like 'What the heck happened? I can win this thing!’”
Tomac closed the gap, and in single moment in the twilight of the race, deftly maneuvered past Roczen to take the win, accentuating what he would later describe as the best ride of his entire career.
Just as the case has already been several times this season, the day’s overall winner was decided by last-lap heroics. With the season still two races away from reaching the halfway point, and incredible moments like these seemingly a dime a dozen in the 250 class, 2012 is shaping up to be a great year for fans of American Motocross.
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Man I was pulling for the Roc, I hope he gets a win here soon, hes a good kid.
Man Tomac is on fire ! If Roczen gets a win it'll just make the 250 class more interesting. And what the hell happened to Baggett ? He just fell apart at the end of the moto. Any update on Wharton, looked like he took a hell of a hit for how far off the track his bike was.
Great ride for Tomac, he is becoming the racer every one thought he would be after Hangtown, 2 years ago. The Tomac training looks to be paying off as he still looked fresh after the second moto battle. Baggett is not to be forgotten in all this, his speed and physical toughness can not be questioned either, if not for late mistakes he would have been pressing Eli's rear tire. These two are seperating themselves a bit over Barcia and Roczen who are both amazing riders. Can Stanton help Barcia find the little extra he needs, will Decoster be able to stablize Kenny's mental lapses that appear late in races....After the Fast Four, you have Musquin Wharton Hahn who are just a tick off pace, each capable of putting their bike on the box. As Yoda would say " Stacked, this class is ! Enjoyable to watch are they!....Aaahhhhh The Great Outdoors continues
"Barcia had faded out of the fight late in the race". Ya know, I'm sure I saw Barcia cross the finish line RIGHT behind Roczen at the end of that second moto?? Anyone else see that?
I've got to say again that the camera coverage just seems to be missing some of the best action. They didn't catch Barcia 'endo' in the 1st moto while leading, and they didn't catch Roczen's spill in the 2nd. They missed Stewart last week too!
Definitely more fun to watch this class since you don't know who will be on it race day. I just wish Wilson, Rattray and Durham were racing too, we would have 7 top guys fighting each week.
Twice this year Roczen got passed on the last lap, That will start to play with your head at some point!!! The great starts are for sure helpping Barcia, He is super fast just a tic of Tomac and Baggett, They seem to have a slight edge I think but if they keep getting bad starts and Barcia keeps getting great starts they are making there job much harder. I like Roczen a lot and he will get a win soon.
.EuroMike must he ready to hang himself cuz he told us how Roczen was going to mop up over here!! How is that working out for ya Mike?? LOL
Mr Mx thanks for the video, but due to the dsl i have (down side of living in the country) it is hard to view..got to go do yard work this morning befoe it gets in the 90's.....chat with you'all later...
BillC, with ya on Roczen. Thought he would be doing a little better too. In fairness to any 1st year guy, regardless of previous story, is not knowing the tracks and how the local dirt evolves over the day. Even old amateurs like me are faster if I've been to the track before. Always end up leaving the track with some better line ideas for next time. Plus, u have a chance to think about what u saw other guys doing over the day. I think it matters. Not like he killed it his 1st year in the GPs, either. Just my opinion, but think it's an underrated factor for any rider anywhere going to a new series/tracks. There have been a few exceptions, but it holds up most of the time
BillC I don't think Krock will let that happen again. I think he got comfortable with his lead with 2 or 3 laps to go and was trying to figure what his finish line jump would be nac nac or heel clicker. he's young he'll get over it!!!!!!!
oh yah euromike will remind you he's only 17 LOL
This class is awesome! And I've been pulling for Roczen too and have no doubt he's going to be standing tall at the finish of one of these motos. Between him, Baggett and Tomac we have some genuinely nice kids to root for. And they are pulling off some incredible stuff on the track. Wicked good fun!
Tomac like a machine this year. The kid looks as if he has been working out hard and found some new speed. I guess somewhere here Kenny will get a win, he gets closer every race.
@BillC- you are giving Euro/Nazi/Trash/New Jersey? Mike way too much attention here. Besides you know Mike always has new excuses.
@ElsinoreRacer- so true, most of these kids here have ridden these tracks numerous times. Just like an old guy like me, the more laps I ride the better I get. But it takes me half a day to eally learn a track, Alzheimer's I guess!
Very true CZMARK....Just not a fan of people like him, He is only around when his "guy" does well then tells us were all stupid!! Like J_SLONE.... where is he hiding?? Fair weather fans suck!! LOL
. I like some guys more then others but I want to see good raceing over all else!!
If JS does not come back RD will win this by over 150 points!! Thats no fun even if RD is your #1 guy!!!
@BillC- I guess old J Sloan just couldn't handle thought of tossing those flapping lips of his on the old porcelain throne, fearing he might rediscover what he had for breakfast. Last word we heard was that he is hanging out with the gamblers anonymous group, so he won't be making those stupid bets anymore.
czmark LOL i think he is back under a "new" name. I saw a post on another thread that sounded way to much like him to not be him LOL
.Maybe he started to kiss is "throne" and liked it?? BWWWWWWWWWWWWHAHAHAHAHA Slone!!!