Eli Tomac of Cortez ran down Ken Roczen and Jason Anderson in two races Saturday to capture the overall victory at the AMA Pro Motocross in San Bernardino, California.
It was Tomac’s second straight motocross title, after going 2-0 last week in the Hangtown Classic outside Sacramento, California.
After both races at Glen Helen, Tomac was the overall winner, followed by Marvin Musquin, Anderson, Justin Barcia and Roczen.
Although Tomac entered Saturday’s second moto with a solid win, he needed a relentless comeback and late pass to secure the victory.
Supercross champion Anderson took the lead and pulled ahead while Tomac began his climb to the front. By Lap 3, Tomac had climbed into third behind Anderson and Marvin Musquin, and by Lap 8, he had passed Musquin for second.
He was 8 seconds off the lead.
Gaining time on each lap, Tomac cut Anderson’s lead to under 8 seconds in Lap 10, to under 6 seconds in Lap 11 and to under 3 seconds in Lap 12. He catapulted into first in Lap 13 after racing two of his fastest laps of the moto, and he went on to win by 16 seconds. Anderson finished second, and Musquin, Barcia and Weston Peick filled out the Top 5.
In the first moto, Tomac contended for the lead from the beginning but didn’t get it until midway through the 14 laps.
Christian Craig was first to the turn but crashed and fell to last place, leaving Roczen in front, followed by Benny Bloss, Tomac and Anderson.
Tomac got past Bloss in Lap 2, and Anderson and Musquin followed suit as the four leaders bunched up and put distance between themselves and the rest of the field.
Tomac stalked Roczen for six laps before passing him in Lap 8, but once in front, he distanced himself from the crowd. At the end of Lap 8, he had a 2.515-second lead, and at the finish line, a 12.231-second margin of victory over Musquin.
Roczen, who has returned to racing after a year of injuries, finished third. Anderson was fourth; and Blake Baggett, fifth.
The win strengthened Tomac’s No. 1 position in the standings, with 100 points. Musquin is in second, with 86.
Earlier Saturday, Tomac qualified second at Glen Helen Raceway, just .138 second behind Jason Anderson.
Motocross standings, May 26
1. Eli Tomac of Cortez (Kawasaki): 100
2. Marvin Musquin (KTM): 86
3. Jason Anderson (Husqvarna): 73
4. Justin Barcia (Yamaha): 73
5. Blake Baggett (KTM): 60
6. Weston Peick (Suzuki): 60
7. Ken Roczen (Honda): 53
8. Phillip Nicoletti (Suzuki): 49
9. Benny Bloss (KTM): 42
10. Kyle Chisholm (Yamaha): 39