Each passing year, the legend grows. A small-town athlete, a dirt bike and a career filled with victories.
The subject of the legend is Eli Tomac, a Cortez native, who, at the tender age of 20, has already cemented himself as one of the top Motocross riders in the world. After recently capturing the 2013 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship, Tomac is looking foward to confronting new challenges, while remaining true to his small-town roots.
To say that Tomac was dominant throughout the 2013 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship would be an understatement. Riding his 250cc GEICO-Honda dirt bike, Tomac captured 14 out of 24 motos (races) over the course of the season, including 8 in a row and 11 of 13.
Overall on the year, in the 250cc class, Tomac finished with 552 points, besting Germany’s Ren Roczen and France’s Marvin Musquin, who each finished with 493 points and 411 points respectively.
According to Tomac, his success over the course of the season was a product of experience and equipment.
“For me, the biggest thing was having four years of experience in the class,” explained Tomac. “It just seemed like everything fell together. Bike set-up and training had a lot to do with it. I’ve got a great team, everyone gets along well and it’s a great atmosphere.”
With the 2013 motocross season now over as of Aug. 24, Tomac is satisfied with his career in the 250cc class and excited to move on to bigger and better things. After recently signing a contract extension with GEICO-Honda that will take him through the 2015 season, Tomac plans to competing exclusively in the 450cc class beginning in October.
Stocked with the world’s most accomplished riders, the 450cc class will present Tomac with new challenges, yet the young rider appears unfazed by the upcoming transition.
“(Moving to the 450 class) is a pretty big step, but I’ll try to make it as small as I can,” said Tomac. “Sticking with the same team, the transition will be smoother.”
As far his goals for next season, Tomac is doing his best to remain realistic while at the same time setting his sights high.
“I would like to get a few wins (next year),” said Tomac. “I feel like I have the potential and the speed to get a few wins and at least get on the podium.”
No doubt, future success will bring Tomac even more notoriety, but the ever-humble rider has no intention of losing touch with his hometown roots.
“Growing up in Cortez was good for me because it kept me humble,” explained Tomac. “I come out to California and people have different attitudes. I just try to be a small-town guy. Cortez has done me right so far.”
Asked what advice he might give to young people in Cortez who look up to him, Tomac said, “There isn’t a limit to where you live. If you work hard and follow your dreams, anything can happen.”
Sound advice, for sure, and in light of Tomac’s career thus far and his humble attitude, there is little doubt that Cortez’s biggest sports star will enjoy success in the future and make his hometown proud.