It took five rounds, but the #3 is finally finding his mojo on the green bike. Photos by: Hoppenworld

During the 2015 Monster Energy Supercross, an FIM World Championship series, Monster Energy/Kawasaki’s Eli Tomac‘s 450SX stock shot through the roof with three main event wins, eleven podiums and a second place overall finish in the 450SX Championship. With that, combined his dominant five-race win streak to start the 2015 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship on the 450 before injuring both his shoulders in a violent crash, Eli became the most desired available rider on the market during the off season. Despite the question marks surrounding his injuries, Monster Energy/Kawasaki opened their wallet to the Colorado native to try and recover the #1 plate they lost when Ryan Villopoto went into an early retirement.

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To start the 2016 Monster Energy Supercross series, Eli finished fourth in the first three main events of the year and seventh in Oakland, but his speed has definitely not been the issue. The #3 set the fastest overall lap times during the Anaheim 1 and the Anaheim 2 main events, but as to be expected, his double shoulder surgery and six months off the bike to recover is forcing the former Western Regional 250SX Champion and former National AMA 250 Motocross Champ to play a little bit of on-the-job catch up in the fitness department.

With no podium finishes yet for 2016, the series moved to Glendale, Arizona on Saturday night, the same state and the same dirt where Eli had earned his first-ever 450SX win in 2015 but at new stadium. Even with the new venue for ’16, Eli got the start and held on to score his first podium of the year with a third. After his podium finish, we caught up with Eli to talk about his night in Glendale, his expectations, frustration that was mounting over the first four rounds and the relief that comes with finally getting on the box.


If the #3 finds his stride on the Kawasaki, he is capable of winning on any night.
If the #3 finds his stride on the Kawasaki, he is capable of winning on any night.

Eli, first podium of the year at the first-ever Glendale SX. How are you feeling leaving tonight?

It was just a big improvement on the whole day itself. In the weeks past, I’ve been struggling to stay consistent in practice through the heat races and into the main event. I’ve had a few good heat races, but haven’t been able to make it happen in the main. Finally, though, I felt comfy on the bike all day, and it was a big step forward for me. I almost had a podium in Anaheim, but with today and what I think I have now, I think I’ll be able to keep fighting for those podiums week in and week out. Hopefully, I’ll get a win here within a few races, so it’s a huge step forward.

 

Obviously, you won here last year, and we’re told they trucked the same dirt in. Did being comfortable on the soil help give you that comfy feeling you talked about tonight, or did that not make any difference at all?

I mean, the track broke down like it always does, and I’m normally pretty comfortable on the slick dirt. It was pretty typical Phoenix. It had the base, it had some ruts in a few corners, it was hard packed in others, so I would say it was pretty normal.

 

You were reeling Kenny [Roczen] in there for a minute and had the gap down to about 1.6 seconds at one point, but then you got quite a bit out of shape going through the whoops and that moment seemed to halt all that momentum and take the wind out of your sails from then on. Is that a fair assessment?

Yep, it was one of those deals, and yeah, it did [halt my momentum]. I had that big moment and I got a little tight. That’s just being totally honest, and at that point I kind of had to settle into a pace and try to recover. Those guys were able to push those last nine laps a little more than I was, but I will be able to get there soon enough for sure.

 

You’re a veteran at this point and understand how this works with big changes from one year to the next, but until tonight’s podium, were you feeling frustrated by no podiums or was your feeling more along the lines of this is a new bike, new team and we’ll get there?

Well, yeah, it was frustrating. I mean, we’re here to win and you can’t have your bar set too high too early. You have to be realistic with a new bike and coming off a big injury, but I felt like I could have been a podium guy if I would have really had my act together. But, now, I think I do.

While Eli Tomac fans may be becoming inpatient waiting for that first win in '16, it's a rebuilding process after so much time off the bike. Eli will find his stride sooner than later.
While Eli Tomac fans may be becoming inpatient waiting for that first win in ’16, it’s a rebuilding process after so much time off the bike. Eli will find his stride sooner than later.

Are you starting to really feel good with the Kawasaki setup now?

Yeah, massive improvements.

 

Now we head back to downtown San Diego for the second time in 2016 and the third time ever. What are you thoughts on that facility?

Eh, I don’t know. I’ve never actually been a huge fan of that floor. It’s pretty tight to be totally honest. I like these big open stadiums with the big open football floor pad. Some of the baseball stadiums are okay, but San Diego is pretty tight. It all just depends on what they do with the track layout.

 

So you’re saying you’re ready to go East. (laughs)

Yeah, yeah, I like the East.

 

(laughs) Alright, well, congrats on the podium, and I’m sure this is just the first of many in ’16. Thanks for your time, Eli. I appreciate it.

Thanks.

Author

Dan Lamb is a 12+ year journalist and the owner of MotoXAddicts.