Racer X: Eli’s dad John Tomac exposes secrete why eli tomac left Kawasaki to Yamaha on interview
**Eli Tomac’s Stellar 2022 Season: An Inside Look at His Move to Star Yamaha**
The 2022 season has been a standout year for Monster Energy/Star Yamaha Racing’s Eli Tomac. With a commanding lead in the championship standings and performances that seem to exceed even his own high standards, Tomac’s move to Yamaha has been nothing short of a masterstroke.
The switch, which could have been seen as a gamble, has evidently paid off, showcasing Tomac’s remarkable skill and the strategic thinking behind his team’s decisions.
Tomac’s father, John Tomac, an icon in the bicycle world, has been a key figure in this transition. In a recent interview
“Yeah, it was a gamble,” John Tomac admitted. “We could have stayed at Kawasaki, where Eli could have continued to collect his paychecks and ridden it out. But Eli felt he had more potential, and to unlock that, we needed a change. Kawasaki was too conservative with their equipment; they weren’t willing to push the envelope in the way we wanted.”
This sentiment underscores the essence of the Tomac family’s approach: a willingness to embrace risk for the potential of greater rewards. The decision to join Star Yamaha was driven by the belief that new equipment and a fresh environment could propel Eli to even greater heights.
The choice to partner with Star Yamaha was significantly influenced by the presence of Ricki Gilmour, Tomac’s former suspension technician, who was now working with Star. Gilmour’s previous success with Eli, especially during their time with GEICO Honda, played a crucial role in this transition.
John Tomac elaborated, “We worked with Ricki at GEICO with Honda and achieved significant success. When we moved to Kawasaki, we lost Gilmour, which was a big setback. Reuniting with him at Star Yamaha was a key factor in our decision.”
Gilmour’s expertise and his deep understanding of Tomac’s unique riding style—characterized by aggressive throttle and brake usage—were seen as invaluable assets.
John Tomac recounted, “The Japanese engineers were astonished by Eli’s riding style. The data showed he was wide open on the throttle for 90 percent of the lap—something they had never seen before.”
Despite the promising pre-season performances, John Tomac remained cautiously optimistic. He noted that many riders look good in pre-season only to struggle once the racing begins. However, the early results have far exceeded expectations, demonstrating the effectiveness of the new setup and the team’s ability to adapt and innovate.
Star Yamaha’s flexibility in experimenting with bike settings, combined with their support structure, has allowed Tomac to maximize his potential. The team’s willingness to take risks and test new configurations without the constraints typical of factory teams 
has been a significant advantage.
As the 2022 season progresses, Tomac’s success with Star Yamaha underscores the impact of strategic risk-taking and adaptability in elite motocross.
The move, driven by a desire for continuous improvement and the right support team, has revitalized Tomac’s career and solidified his position as one of the sport’s top contenders.
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