The Monster Energy Kawasaki rider led every lap in Daytona to finally find himself on the top step of the box.
By Hayden Gregory
Eli Tomac had high expectations heading into 2016 yet has found himself battling in the middle of the pack only recording one podium finish prior to Daytona. It has been a disappointing first half of the season for Tomac whose speed warrants him to be a front runner each and every week.
The key change was the start for Tomac, who accelerated out of the gates to find himself out the front early. From that point on it was his ability to piece together lap after lap despite ongoing pressure from championship leader Ryan Dungey.
“This is something we’ve been working towards all season,” said Tomac. “For being off the bike for as long I was, I think I was expecting too much of myself right away. Daytona is a race I’ve been looking forward to all year and it’s an event everyone wants to win. I was feeling great all day and it showed as I qualified first, won my heat and capping it off with a Main Event win. I couldn’t be happier!”
Dungey showed consistency once again to finish second and equal Chad Reed’s record of 25 consecutive supercross podiums. The result extends Dungey’s championship lead to 39 points over Ken Roczen who could only salvage fifth for the night.
Red Bull KTM’s Marvin Musquin continues to impress on the premier stage recording yet another podium finish in his rookie season.
It was a difficult night for Australia’s Chad Reed who fell back to 12th place after climbing to third last weekend.
In the Eastern Regional 250SX class, reigning champion Jeremy Martin captured victory in a thrilling race. A speedy battle between Martin and Malcolm Stewart stretched the majority of the moto with less than a second separating the pair.
The last few laps ultimately proved too much for Stewart falling away as Martin powered away for victory. Drama haunted Mookie in the closing stages as Justin Hill also made the pass before the GEICO Honda rider stalled his bike in the final turn allowing Martin Davalos to steal third.
A podium finish allows Davalos to hold a two point lead in the championship heading into next round at Toronto, Canada.
