Why John Tomac is just as badass as Eli!
After four outdoor championships (and a 250SX title), Eli Tomac has finally captured his first 450SX championship. Eli is therefore the greatest American motocross rider of his generation. But did you know that his father John is just as badass on two wheels?
To impress the Tomac family, you better come out strong. For example, Eli won his very first professional match in Hangtown in 2010.
Father John, in turn, is an American cycling legend who made his mark in mountain biking, in which he excelled in cross-country, downhill and dual slalom. Oh yes, he could also handle a BMX and a racing bike quite well!
1° BMX champion
Since BMX became an Olympic event in 2012, the whole world knows how cool cycling cross is. Like so many other cycling and motorsport toppers, Tomac senior got off to a flying start in BMX. Eli Tomac also started as a BMX rider.
John rode BMX from the age of six to seventeen. Although he took the national title in the Cruiser class in 1984 for Mongoose From 1986 he focused on a completely new sport: mountain biking! Tomac had now moved from cold Michigan to California, the birthplace of MTB.
2° American MTB hero
Although adapting to a new discipline normally takes time, “Johnny T” trained himself into a fearsome mountain biker in no time. First on an improvised 24-inch Cruiser, then on a real MTB. Tomac continued to drive for Mongoose and won several competitions in his first two seasons. This also includes the Supercross MTB demo race in LA's Coliseum. Long the home of the Supercross in Los Angeles.
In total, John won no fewer than nine American mountain bike titles. Now it is completely unthinkable, but Tomac became NORBA champion in cross country, downhill and dual slalom with equal ease. Another curiosity: that one Yeti mountain bike with racing handlebars!
3° European and World Champion
Americans sometimes appropriate the title of world championship for themselves, even though it is actually a national championship. This also applied to the NORBA world title, which was awarded to the best rider in the overall standings across the three MTB disciplines. Yet John Tomac was indeed the absolute world top!
During the very first UCI Mountain Biking World Championship in Durango, Colorado in 1990, Tomac finished 4th in the downhill. In 1989 he won the German and European cross country titles. Two years later, he not only won gold (cross country) and silver (downhill) at the World Championships, he also won the UCI cross country World Cup.
4° Road cyclist + mountain biker
Mathieu van der Poel Although he successfully combines three different disciplines, he and his team try to find the best possible balance in his program. It's a matter of not getting overtired. “Tomac Attack” had become interested in road cycling as endurance training. Yes, John also made rapid progress on the tubes.
From 1988 to 1991 he combined mountain biking with a career as a racing driver. For example, John Tomac won two American titles (Criterium and team time trial) and rode as a professional(!) 7-Eleven which changed its name in 1991 to Motorola. This team, managed by Jim Ochowicz (currently general manager of CCC Team) may have been an outsider in the European peloton, but with guys like Steve Bauer, Sean Yates en Davis Phinney the American team certainly didn't make a muddy figure.
To focus on classical work, John moved to Belgium. A cutthroat program of 100 racing days a year, 10 mountain bike World Cups and NORBA MTB competitions in America forced him to make a choice at the end of 1991. The fact that Tomac finally chose mountain biking at the age of 23 was a logical decision given his status. After all, he was already a big star there.
5° Promising driver
How good was Tomac on the road? Given his age and limited experience, you can safely say that John also had potential in cycling. As a young professional, he attracted the spotlight here and there in the spring classics. A top 20 in Ghent-Wevelgem, his first experience in the Tour of Flanders, some flashes in the Giro, but above all Paris-Roubaix in 1990 it stayed with him personally.
In the “hell of the north” John rode with a protected status in the service of leader Steve Bauer. He had to give up on Eddy Planckaert in a photo sprint on the Roubaix track. The difference was less than a centimeter, after 266 kilometers... Goosebump moments! And yes, Tomac senior had a clear preference for heavy work such as the Tour of Flanders.
6° Mammoth Kamikaze
With speeds of over 100 km/h on – especially compared to now – rudimentary bikes, the Kamikaze downhill from Mammoth Mountain (California) unique in its kind. In the twilight of his career, Tomac once again showed off his driving skills by winning in 2004 and 2005. ET3 was 13 at the time, dad Tomac was 37... You can judge for yourself about the style of the super streamlined rubber suits (now banned) and aero helmets!
7° Tomac the businessman
In the early 90s, John Tomac was a cycling icon without equal. The Peter Sagan of his time, so to speak. He showed up everywhere and stole the show! In short, John emerged as one of the first superstars of the burgeoning mountain bike scene. From Oakley Bell helmets, Yeti, Tioga/Raleigh, Giant and Answer/Manitou, the largest brands were lining up to acquire Tomac. Tomac was also a pioneer on a technical level. For example, he resolutely opted for the suspension front and rode with the Tioga's remarkable Direct Drive rear wheel.
John was very aware of his status and founded in 1998 Tomac Bicycles on. Tomac Bicycles was one of the first to concentrate on full suspension mountain bikes. Manager Joël Smith (ex Answer and Manitou suspension), who took over the brand from American Bicycle Group in 2006, said goodbye to the Tomac license in 2013. The British internet bicycle specialist Planet x became the owner of the Tomac bicycle license since 2015.
8° Amateur MX Champion
After the impressive list above, you are probably not surprised that “The General” can also hold its own on a dirt bike? He rode in in 2001 Loretta Lynn's to the American Vet B/C 30 Plus title. Tomac rode Suzuki at the time. Son Eli also rode a yellow motorcycle for most of his amateur career…
9° Trainer and manager of ET3
After his own career, Tomac focused on guiding his son Eli. There is no doubt that the Tomacs have their own approach and style. Because far away from the hype of California or the well-known training complexes in Florida, ET3 discreetly does its thing in Colorado. Logistically not exactly convenient for traveling. Yet that formula is clearly paying off. Because after three vice titles (2015, 2017, 2019) and a third place, Eli finally captured that coveted 450SX title last weekend.
At 27, the Monster Energy Kawasaki pilot is stronger than ever. The fact that Tomac has already earned much more money as a motocross rider than his famous father is a bonus. Ultimately, however, within this competitive family it's all about staying true to yourself and pushing your own boundaries. So no pressure for Eli's daughter Lev Loe if she wants to do sports... Did we mention that John's other son Greg is a pilot for the American army?
10° Winegrower/hobby mountain biker
At the age of 43, John Tomac retired as a professional cyclist. In addition to his activities on his Flying T Ranch However, in McElmo Canyon, Colorado, John still rides his mountain bike or gravel bike every day. Local bikers who encounter John on the trails all agree. Tomac is still very strong!
He likes to compare the work ethic and perseverance you need to run a successful agricultural company with the discipline of a top athlete. In any case, hard work does not deter the Tomac family. In addition to Alfalfa and grass, grapes are also grown on the Flying T Ranch. That vineyard reportedly produces an exclusive and idiosyncratic red wine. Something different than Monster Energy or champagne!
Tekst: Tom Jacobs
Photos: Mike Collins, John Kerr, Tom Moran, Skyler Bishop, Yeti, Giant, Bell
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