450 Words: Coming Out Party
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PrintThere was a lot of hype for GEICO Honda’s Eli Tomac when it was announced that he was doing four races on a factory Honda in the 450SX class. Tomac’s going to be a full-time 450 guy next year and he’s generally looked upon as being a title contender for the next decade in the big bike class. Tomac himself has been eagerly looking forward to getting into the mix with the big boys, and there’s nothing like dipping your toe in first before diving in.
Only one problem with this plan: Tomac’s first two races in the class haven’t met the hype that was generated. The first week, he admitted that the bigger bike and the five more laps (compared to a 250SX main) caught up to him, but he still moved up from a bad start. St. Louis didn’t go that well, but he was sick during the week. He has been great in 450 practice, though. He’s shown the speed is there and that’s the one thing you can’t teach. But he wasn’t able to deliver in the races, which speaks to just how fast and strong and seasoned the 450 pack really is. Tomac even admitted that he might just cut off his four-race stint a little early, because he was so frustrated.
Tomac had a career night in the 450 class on Saturday.
Simon Cudby photo
But Daytona was a bit of a coming out party for the #17. Starting outside the top ten, Tomac steadily worked his way through the field to the point that with two laps remaining, he was knocking on the door for third. He eventually spun out, but a fourth is not too shabby. On a brutal, streets-of-Baghdad-bombed out track, the kid did well. One things for sure, with one race left in this moonlighting 450 deal, his starts have got to get better.
It was a great ride and perhaps a few people that jumped off the Tomac bandwagon after his first two races are back on. Not that Tomac cares all that much—he’s got much bigger things on his mind. To the surprise of many, a deal to race the 450 for GEICO Honda next year (and well beyond) hasn’t been signed and sealed yet. After the race Eli admitted that he’s talking to a few teams and rumors have it that a RCH Suzuki test is coming up real soon. Then there’s the Kawasaki rumor…
So it’s clear now that Tomac is going to have his choice of where he wants to begin his 450 career and I’m sure he’s breathing a bit easier after a great Daytona ride. He’ll race Indy and then he’s going to get busy trying to defend his 250SX West Region title. Later, if my sources are correct, the 450MX series awaits. At Daytona, the kid proved he’s ready.
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I hope he goes with the best bike and team, not with the biggest contract. Results are important..
I think going with Roger Decoster has proven to be the wise decision.
RC is a big fan of Eli. It would be a good pairing, because RC has to respect the rider's work ethic in order for the relationship to work. Guaranteed that Josh Hill won't be coming back and Tickle, while a hard worker, has not really been able to rise up a level. RC even took a swipe at him in the main, saying he was "just riding around out there".
Tomac is great. Can't wait til he finds his groove on the 450. We will be in for some good clean racing from Eli.
Great kid, great family, and a great racer. Big fan of all the Tomacs!!
Hopefully Tomac will get the ride he needs and can challenge Villapoto. SX is starting to look like the days when McGrath and Carmichael put everyone to sleep watching the mains. Wilson's stock went down at Daytona. Stewart is still the only one out there who can run with Villapoto but consistency is the issue.
hamncheeze: Don't forget the best one, "If he goes any slower, he's gonna tip over".
Only a dipstick would write " On a brutal, streets-of-Baghdad-bombed out track". I am from the USA and think that comment is pretty bad. Remember we kicked TFS and Whitlock out of this sport, I can't wait until the current fatty gets the boot too, yes I am talking about you Mathewass.
Which ever team get the talented Tomac for the Great Outdoors will be reaping the rewards from signing him immediately. He may not win right off the bat, but he will be running up front and giving his sponsors great press with his classy attitude well beyond his years.... The Great Outdoors home to the Ten Soldiers of Motocross!!
Hey @Camelback, do you really think comments like that are going to get Stevo booted out of mx? LOL
Its comments like that, that have people follow him. Have you ever listed to Pulp MX show? You better not, and stick to Rainbow Brite or whatever it is that your used to.
@ BD25 AGREED
Who are the ten 10 soldiers!
Im a Tomac fan but not sure a 4th is worthy of party time. If he caught Barcia for 3rd, yeah sure party up, but 4th behind Barca? Na. Not down playing his great job so dont go there. As for him looking at other teams, sure go ahead an look all he wants so he can see how good he has it. If Geico wants a 450 rider like Tomac, then stepping into KW14 spot would be very special. I wouldnt leave for a new team like RCH, and I dont see ktm signing a 450 rider when Roczen and Marvin are next in line.
I felt Roczen's ride on the 350 was equally as impressive. Would have loved it if he held off Stewart and got the 350 a heat race win at Daytona. Good ride for Tomac to be sure. I'm just alergic to hype.
Jeez how times change. Two months ago, after ET had racked up a hatrick of wins in the 250 west coast series, he was being touted as the next big thing by the experts on here. Now all of a sudden, after a pretty rough intro to the 450 class, and despite some real glittering highlights, the doubters are coming out of the woodwork.
ET has shown his pedigree on the MX and SX track, so I really don't think he has to prove anything. Sure he's having a rough passage on the west coast, but the kid giving him the hard time is probably the best young gun I've ever seen.
Lighten up on ET. He's gonna do the business on the big bike and I predict a rivalry with KRoc over the next 6 or 7 seasons that will go down in the history book.
Ten Soldiers of 2013 The Great Outdoors: Alessi, Barcia, Canard, Dungey, Milsaps, Reed, Stewart, Tomac, Villopoto and Wilson..
@BD25. Boy, you got a short memory. LOL
no baggett???
how was kenny as impressive as tomac when he started at the front and faded back to what, 7th? tomac started outside top 10 and passed up to 4th place.....including putting 20 seconds on kenny after catching and passing him?
B-KR ..I did not include Baggett as I think he will be defending his 250 crown..Any one heard any different..
pippidekok...so true what did I forget now....
boy, I gotta tell ya. When the band "Ratt" unleashed "Out of the Cellar" no one and I mean no one... not even Billy Squier himself knew that 1984 was truly the year of the Rat.
Hard hitting yet melodic tracks burrow(yes another rodent reference) their way into your psyche. A dazzling recording/producing effort Beau Hill where every nuance hits you with Chord "D" thud.
I remember standing outside the "Whiskey" yes the world famous Whiskey with the cassette firmly clutched in my sweaty hands. I wanted to savor every drumlick by Bobby "The Blotz" Blotzer, ferocious yet contained.... wild but focused. I guess you could call it organized chaos. Oh man, I am getting heady here. Yes, I have been called the Dennis Miller of metal, a reference that I relish. Kudos to you Mr. Miller, kudos.
I know, I know... people have issues with "Back for More". That is a debate that rages on to this day. I am going to put a poll up on my website and let the RATT-HEADS decide once for an all. I have been asked this question at least 1,000 times. Man, I waiver and waiver on that one. I see both sides of the issue and I am trying to get an interview with the ever reclusive Stephen Pearcy.
I will be taking requests from 4-6 tonight.
Wilson as not proven 450 outdoors yet ............Weimer has ! some on this list will not race the outdoors.....................Reed Stewart ? so you need to throw all of the clan in and cal it 450 Brigaide ! LOL
oh, thought tomac and wilson were down in the 250 class outdoors still this year....
No diss to Weimer intended, actually forgot about the Quiet One Two...450 Brigade works as it will be a deep field!! Adding Brayton, Byner, Grant, Metcalf, Short and Weimer makes it the Sick Sixteen...lol True, Wilson and Tomac are not proven outdoors on a 450 yet... but I do think they have the talent to do very well once in the class..
What have you heard about Reed and Stewart by passing the outdoors...I just assumed they would be there..and you know what happens when you assume...lol.
I have to agree with rickamatuzio, Eli on a KTM is the place for him to be Roger offers so much more to his career.
Rumors of Tomac testing with RCH? Say it aint so! Tomac needs to stay on a Honda!!
B-KR At the first of the year, I understood Wilson and Rattray were PC's outdoor 450 team...as for Tomac, rumor has it he will be on a 450 outdoors...but you never know ...like Eli, I hope he is!!
streets-of-Baghdad-bombed out........................Sorry I've seen those streets, and Daytona wasn't even close...............maybe more like a ride down highway 99 from Sac to Fresno.
Daytona looked alot better than years past. It looked pretty wicked after the heats, but by the mains came around they overworked the track and made it to nice.
I was just listening to the self titled debut from the bombastic quartet Black N' Blue. Wow, I am stunned how well this album holds up. Now, if you readers will remember this was a pet project of Gene Simmons. I had a listener Jeffrey R. in Ohio asked if I thought this was Mr. Simmons' best find. Well, Gene did have a hand in getting Van Halen's demos to the proper people so with that being said and not counting VH, YES, emphatically YES.
The band only achieved minor success which is a real shame because this is metal at its core. The hooks were as deep as a Reggie Jackson homer in 1977 Bronx town. The lyrics while sometimes juvenile were always catchy and definitely hypnotic. Jamie St. James could be the frizzy haired son of Bruce Dickinson... the operatic notes this aqua net loving virtuoso could hit were amazing to say the least.
The grooviest thing about this band is that they hailed from the Northwest...uh oh Pearl Jam... you better wrap that flannel around your face because this is good time rock not your pity party self-loathing melancholy morose downer rock. No, this is the music you put on when you are jumping in the car at 5:00pm on a sticky August Friday night. This is when rock and roll was at its finest. The shows were over the top, the music was in your face and if you got too close... you just might lose an eyebrow.
The music on this album is straight up un-polished, gritty, frenetic yet retaining the melodic sense of AOR rock. "Hold on to 18" was a prime example of the letting the musicians riff and just play stream of consciousness rock and roll. Each member get a chance to showcase their talent from the raucous vocals of St. James... to the axe wielding showman Tommy Thayer.. to the adequate drumming of Pete Holmes. Analog at its finest... some things you can not replicate in Pro Tools... are you listening to me Mr. Reznor?
The album closes with "Chain around Heaven"... could there be a more fitting song to close an album? I don't think so. The song clocks in at only four minutes but it is 4 minutes of pulse pounding, over driving, straight to your heart arena rock. These boys came to rock and rock they did.
Well done guys... well done
ET did great, really his biggest weak link is his starts and there are so many good started in the 450 class he has a lot of work to do there. I am a Honda fan and ride Honda but RC and ET would be a team !! I wouldn't' be surprised if CR22 didn't take a hard look at him also. He was and is night and day better than KR in my book and has schooled him most times he has run with him, Daytona showed what will happen.
@ davidl Night and day? What are you smoking dude? They are very evenly matched with, if anything, Kenny possessing the better racing brain.
How can you compare them on their Daytona performances? It was ET's third outing on the big bike and Ken's first. Come on dude, don't let favoritism cloud your judgement.
bd25 pretty sure Tomac will be 450 outdoors.
Just because Kenny is in the points lead doesn't mean he beat Tomac it means Tomac beat himself go count the wins also in the outdoors Tomac handled everyone not named Blake bagget last year roczen is good but for being a former champ and a longtime pro I'm not sure he should still be getting arm pump and he talks about it all the time
I stand behind night and day just look at the results indoors and out
OK: I'm a Suzuki guy and my favorite rider(Dungey) is helping build KTM so for those reasons I'd love to see ET on one of those two. But if I'm one of the top guys and I can go with Kawi or Honda....
Tomac should stay with Honda unless the green boyz want to have a 1A rider just behind RV.
Tomac wanted to be on 450s this year, in and out. I thought he was overruled on that. He is GEICO's best shot at a 250 MX title. I'm hopeful Wilson and Tomac are on 450s then, but won't hold my breath.
I will go with day and dusk on the comparison. Unless you're a Roczen homer, the difference was quite obvious. Tomac caught him from way back and put 21 seconds on him. Roczen raced 450 class at least once last year, i think twice pippie.
KR went from the lead to 7th and has raced the 350 a lot
Tomac went from 14th to 4th and went down and finished 21 seconds ahead of KR
Yeah, definitely not Roczen's first dance on the 350 or in the big class. He raced it in both 2011 and 2012. As for ET versus KR, I think it is actually pretty close between them, remember that ET has a year+ on KR racing at the pro level in the USA. Major thing in ET's favor on a 450 (vs. KR) is his size and strength. It was obvious at Daytona that he was one of the fittest riders out there, along with RV and RD. Guys like Barcia and Roczen were fading hard at the end.
The one major deficit ET has to sort out is his starts. I thought maybe his size was hindering him on the 250 last year in the outdoors, but seeing him on the 450 in SX the problem is a little more than just engine displacement. Still think he would be a great fit to work with RC. Also, if I recall Tomac was a Suzuki kid in the amateurs, right?
Also worth noting the guys who trained at RC's place last week did pretty good in general. Dungey 2nd, J Martin 3rd and first career podium, Les Smith made the main, and Tickle rode reasonably well. Josh Hill the exception, but it's hard to know what to expect of him.
Hey guys this is why part of the problem with American Supercross and Motocross, I will back down on the Motocross stuff though? When Tomac said the extra 5 laps got to him? I gotta wonder why? Now Marvin the Martian pulled it off maybe because the race was longer.
Us old timers will remember when even the local Expert and or pro or "A" classes were over 20 mnts. we ussually got at least 10 laps and the lap times were at least 2 mnts. When all of the classes went to 5 lap motos I had to start riding 2 or 3 classes to make it worth the day.
I think that had somthing to do with our showing at the Trophy Dee? At least make the Mains for the Open class at the Supercrosses 20mnts I know the tracks are tough but some of the guys are just training to get into the main with an 8 lap 7mnt race that is not good.
Impressive starts and speed for the 350. Too bad KR's not fit enough. Hard to compete with the Kawi's suspension, though. RV's got it dialed better than anyone. Sure makes it easier to go fast longer. I think Tomac would be deadly on one, too. Then again, Honda probably has deeper pockets than all others combined...so, if they keep enough red bikes out there, surely they'll get their win, eventually. That in mind, they won't let him go.
...championship win, that is.
If I was a predictor and/or a betting man, which I would say I am not. If I were, I would find it hard to see him on anything but a bright Red bike for sometime. It seems, Big Red is the only manufacturer that is willing to do some direct sponsoring, with the possible exception being Kawasaki. And I could, if I squint a little see him wearing Green under him. But, I just cannot envision him in Blue, or Yellow, nor Orange. Even though I would not mind to see him bucking the Orange (Toro Rosso) for Roget & Co.
I do know (one) thing for absolutely positive though. When the decision is made, I will be the last one to hear about it. Ha!
PS Eli, I think, is approaching the 450 Class with a solid game plan and for the long haul. I sure didn't expect him to set the 450 world on fire, especially as a guest during this SX East coast concert tour. Come May, and if he's on a 450, then and only then, will you see him taking names and kicking bughtoxes. He is a stand-up guy that will earn his place on that box, and not burn bridges along the way.
You show me anyone who does (not) respect Eli Tomac & Co. for what he is, and I will show you a poor judge of character. I just hope this sport has the benefit of having him around for a very long time, as he is a fine asset, period.
@crf4502007: Don't you have somewhere else to be right now...I mean really, it is a very large planet...
PS Eli, I think, is approaching the 450 Class with a solid game plan and for the long haul. I sure didn't expect him to set the 450 world on fire, especially as a guest during this SX East coast concert tour. Come May, and if he's on a 450, then and only then, will you see him taking names and kicking bughtoxes. He is a stand-up guy that will earn his place on that box, and not burn bridges along the way.
You show me anyone who does (not) respect Eli Tomac & Co. for what he is, and I will show you a poor judge of character. I just hope this sport has the benefit of having him around for a very long time, as he is a fine asset, period.
@crf4502007: Don't you have somewhere else to be right now...I mean really, it is a very large planet...