The 2010 AMA Motocross Lites class is very, very deep. So deep, that the mere thought of a 16-year-old rookie landing on the podium, let alone winning the overall title at the Hangtown opener would be out of the box thinking. Way out of the box. Unless that 16-year-old is GEICO Powersports/AMSOIL/Honda rider Eli Tomac.
Tomac made his professional debut memorable with a victory Saturday at the 42nd annual Hangtown Motocross Classic. The win, coupled with a third-place finish in the day's first 250cc Moto, places the heralded newcomer into the points lead of the AMA Motocross Championship.
After a quick start in Moto 2, Tomac needed to only pass two riders, including teammate Trey Canard, to assume the lead. He then managed to hold the spot for the remainder of the 16-lap race to earn the top spot and the overall win.
"This goes beyond anything I could have hoped for," Tomac said. "We came in here not really knowing what to expect. You hope you'll match up with everyone but until you get out there in a real race you never know. To win thi
s race, my first with this team, is really something."
Canard, who finished seventh in Moto 1 and second in Moto 2, leaves Hangtown third in the points after the first of 12 races in the outdoor season. GEICO teammates Justin Barcia finished fifth overall and Blake Wharton 16th.
Tomac made his professional debut memorable with a victory Saturday at the 42nd annual Hangtown Motocross Classic. The win, coupled with a third-place finish in the day's first 250cc Moto, places the heralded newcomer into the points lead of the AMA Motocross Championship.
After a quick start in Moto 2, Tomac needed to only pass two riders, including teammate Trey Canard, to assume the lead. He then managed to hold the spot for the remainder of the 16-lap race to earn the top spot and the overall win.
"This goes beyond anything I could have hoped for," Tomac said. "We came in here not really knowing what to expect. You hope you'll match up with everyone but until you get out there in a real race you never know. To win thi
s race, my first with this team, is really something."Canard, who finished seventh in Moto 1 and second in Moto 2, leaves Hangtown third in the points after the first of 12 races in the outdoor season. GEICO teammates Justin Barcia finished fifth overall and Blake Wharton 16th.
Brett Metcalfe made his 450cc debut in Hangtown and finished fourth overall, finishing fifth and fourth respectively in his moto's.
The AMSOIL sponsored team will be back on the track after Memorial Day on June 5 in Wortham, Texas.
Until then, we'll see you at the races.
Jeremy Meyer
AMSOIL Race Program Manager
