Photo: Stephen Wilde. Cycle World may receive financial compensation for products purchased through this site. Good tuneablity of shock, nice looker in black. Look for a thourough review on the Niota soon. But to see him here on his sprawling 800-acre property, surrounded by the La Plata and San Juan Mountain ranges in the high desert plateau of Cortez, Colorado, is to see a man who is truly in his element. Climbs like a mountain goat and bombs down hill effortlessly. John Tomac stated that he had been hesitant about his son getting involved in racing. Tomac raced BMX on Mongoose in his early career, and when he made the switch to mountain bike racing in 1986 he stuck with the brand. I loved this bike. Although, this should really not have much stress unless the chainstay pivot flexes. Why not? (makes me ask how they 'bent' this pipe and possibly made it weak).Whoever designed and built this frame didn't do their sums or cut corners on tubing quality. I feel like that particular drug, and what it did to your blood, was a huge advantage if you used it. I didnt want to do that., Considering where he came from, and the life he has built here on the ranch, its easy to understand that decision. John Tomac is perhaps the greatest mountain bike racer of all time and a true icon of the early days of fat-tire style. Last edited on 26 February 2023, at 09:10, Best Male Action Sports Athlete ESPY Award, "2012 Motocross Races - the Vault - Historical Motocross & Supercross Results", "2013 Motocross Races - the Vault - Historical Motocross & Supercross Results", "2017 Motocross Races - the Vault - Historical Motocross & Supercross Results", "2018 Motocross Races - the Vault - Historical Motocross & Supercross Results", "2019 Motocross Races - the Vault - Historical Motocross & Supercross Results", "2020 Motocross Races - the Vault - Historical Motocross & Supercross Results", "2022 Motocross Races - the Vault - Historical Motocross & Supercross Results", "Eli Tomac - the Loretta Lynn's Vault - Amateur Motocross Results", "Eli Tomac Bio | Official Kawasaki Racing Site", "Tomac wins Salt Lake City; Hill clinches 250SX West championship", "The Greatest Supercross That Ever Happened", "Eli Tomac - The Vault - Historical Motocross & Supercross Results", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Eli_Tomac&oldid=1141693591, 2012 Monster Energy Supercross 250cc West, This page was last edited on 26 February 2023, at 09:10. Floats over small bumps. I am going a little bit into the Niota, because I suspect many Eli riders will become Niota riders. Join Facebook to connect with Kathy Tomac and others you may know. By the time the NORBA National Series hit the mid-summer Park City, Utah, round, Tomac was aboard a custom-built steel Yeti FRO that mimicked the position of his road bike. Thats his way to relax when hes not busy on the ranch or traveling the motocross circuit with Eli. The mere mention of his name brings a hot flush to any mountain biker of a certain age. Eli's achievement credit goes to his father as he has trained his son to be capable of what he is today. More significant was the weld on the lower linkage to the front triangle. "Video Guide to Mt. Need more time to evaluate before writing a review. [14], Tomac's son, Eli Tomac is a professional motocross racer competing in the AMA motocross and supercross national championships riding for the Yamaha racing team. Every girl would be lucky to find a love like him. He doesnt recall any particular road race as a crowning achievement, but points to the 1990 Paris-Roubaix, when his 7-Eleven teammate Steve Bauer finished second to Belgian Eddy Planckaert in a photo finish, as perhaps his best memory. His mixed results (5th, 6th, 8th, 1st, 1st, 15th) put him 29 points behind supercross points leader Ryan Dungey. But before he knew much, he was already winning. The mountain biker certainly has an inspiring career. Eli was unable to close the points gap, coming up 5 points short of the 2017 Monster Energy AMA Supercross championship. Moreover, the pilot is happily married to his husband,Sam King. 1991 saw a change of teams: from Yeti to Raleigh and from 7-11 to Motorola. It's a fast, rare John Tomac 98 Special Pro Mountain Bike. Looking into a Yeti, or Specialized FSR 120. He was a true all-rounder, having won major national and international titles in four different disciplines, including medals in both XC and Downhill world championships. In Moto 3 Eli started 10th but advised through his pit boards that Chase was in 3rd and it wasnt needed for him to race with urgency as they had enough points to win. Source: Instagram The man was born to parents named John Tomac (father) and Kathy Tomac (Mother) in Cortez, Colorado, US. And who can forget the shiny black skinsuit, rocketing down the moonscape of the Kamikaze Downhill at Mammoth Mountain, California. 240 ft. Altitude max. Wonderful company, these guys are not about making money, they are soley about making bikes to make happy riders. He was ranked in first place in the Cross-country and Dual Slalom disciplines. Trying to access the shock to adjust air pressure is also a pain - best done by dropping one end of the shock out everytime. Santa Cruz Superlight, Cannondale Jekyll (3000 and 2000), Intense Uzzi, Marins etc. Tomac is the younger of two sons of former competitive BMX, road cycling and mountain bike racing champion John Tomac and wife Kathy. It was maybe due to his dad's involvement in motors that led John to love cycling a lot more. The family of John, Kathy, Greg and Eli settled in McElmo Canyon to operate a working farm and ranch after Johns retirement from World Cup Mountain Bike racing. The farm is also open for horseriding and has beautiful oxen and other livestock. The lady requested all her followers via Instagram to wish huge luck to her partner for the game. The loving couple has two handsome sons, Greg Oswald and Eli Tomac. 368 ft. Altitude start. Team U.S.A placed 3rd overall. Kathy Tomac, in relation, is the mother of Eli Tomac. It was past its formative years, those renegade gatherings of longhairs on clunkers, but it wasnt yet the buttoned-up Olympic sport it would become. To watch Tomac in those years was like seeing Michael Jordan take flight. AMA 450cc Supercross: 48 [13] Going into the penultimate round of Monster Energy AMA Supercross in East Rutherford, NJ, Tomac held a 3-point lead over Dungey. Pretty much there now but the piggy back reservoir is a nightmare to adjust - for whatever minute air pressure you add to the chamber you more than loose everytime you remove the shock! As he has won several world championships and represented the USA in World Cups, it has been estimated that John Tomac's net worth is enormous. At the final round of Monster Energy AMA Supercross in Las Vegas, NV, Tomac finished 2nd and Dungey placed 4th. Finishing 2nd To Broc Tickle by 6 points in the 250SX West Championship. This equipment decision was influenced by his recent experience riding for the 7-11 road cycling team in Europe where he was under contract. The couple looks happy together, and it couldn't be surprised for all if one day Eli announces Jessica as his future wife. John Tomac (born November 3, 1967 in Owosso, Michigan) is an American former professional cyclist who competed from 1985 to 2005. Photo Source: Kathy's Instagram. I'm going to check out new Specialized SJ FSR Pro, LBS says has Life time warranty,Lower rating do to frames cracking. People love to live a life of adventure, thrill, and excitement, which is why humans have invented activities like bungee jumping, skydiving, and rafting to enjoy the adrenaline rush and live off of that high. Ryan Dungey would go on to win the race and take an eight point advantage over Tomac with one round remaining. John Tomac runs this operation. Team U.S.A placed 5th overall. This is my first FS ride. Kelly McGillis Biography 2023 - Top Gun Actress. Greg is a pilot in the US Air Force and has dedicated his life to the country. After crashing with other riders at the start of the 2nd Moto, Eli put on a charge racing all the way up to a 3rd place finish. [10], Eli is married to Jessica (Steiner) Tomac and together they have 2 children: daughter, Lev Loe and son, Noah Grey. John Tomac has two sons, Greg and Eli. Looking back, he says it was an interesting experience straddling two different worlds. Individually talking about Jessica Steiner, she is the owner of the Mountain Paws Rescue Center. He was subsequently awarded the Best Male Action Sports Athlete ESPY Award at the 2022 ESPY Awards. And with that, hes off. However, he has been dating Jessica Steiner for a longer time. Similarly, Eliis engaged and hisfianceeJessica Steinerexpressed her excitement to marry the wonderful man shortly. Submit a correction suggestion and help us fix it! Make your own conclusions. The professional cyclist is mighty proud of both his children. Although he failed to win any of the three individual NORBA series, he won the overall NORBA title for the third year in succession. Toby Henderson is a celebrated old-school BMXer who jumped to mountain bikes in the mid-'80s. When it comes to motocross racing, the one undeniable name for motocross fans is Eli Tomac. Despite a lot of decent rides the frame still feels tight and strong though. Subscribe to BIKEs Newsletter to receive stories like this straight to your inbox. This suspension design flatout works! Throughout the series, Tomac only finished off of the podium at two of the 12 rounds. nothing technical, no jumps, no bumps, no drop offs. John Tomac became a highly decorated professional cyclist, from winning small national events to winning the world championships. He was a kid riding his BMX bike. Can't say enough about this bike. This is a follow-up to my reviews on my 2004 bike. I had just gotten to the point where I needed to decide, he says. There was a time during the Racing game in Toronto, Canada, and Eli was a part of it. The "World" status was a misnomer, however, as the NORBA championships were held only in the United States. Tomac Primer 220 after two season of moderate riding. I only did two years, and that was that.. In the late 1980s and 90s, his image was everywhere. The paint is beautiful. In 2018, after winning the 450cc AMA Motocross title, Eli accepted the team captain position in the MXGP class. This is a follow-up to an earlier review. All rights reserved. John Tomac has spoken up about his hatred for the people who cheat in races to win them. Get to know a miniature of Eli Tomac life. Missed the remaining Nationals after Round 3 of the 2015 MX Series due to injury. The World Champion also has an elder sister, but her identity has been kept private. Please enjoy this special reserve of Red Wine which is born from the Flying T. Besides that, Eli's father, John, is involved as a full-time coach and a manager. The total estimated earnings he has is more than $5 million as of 2021. Living in L.A.s San Fernando Valley, Tomac was surrounded by mountains. People tend to say the EPO era was early or mid-90s, but it really probably started in 89 or 90. This was a great frame for the time that i had it. Our director was Stanley Szozda, this Polish guy who had won the Peace Race and was just a really great guy.. For 2013, Eli finishes 2 points behind Ken Roczen in the 250cc Supercross championship with five first place main event wins. So, no, it didnt happen overnight. With two young kids and his commitments as the U.S. general manager of Taiwanese suspension brand X-Fusiona job he took in early 2011something had to give. I'm surprised there hasn't been more recent discussion of Tomac Bikes. He began to compete in BMX racing events in and around Michigan in 1975 and continued competing in this discipline into his teenage years racing against Michigan BMX legends Tony Carnes, Mike Chapman, and Tim Root. In 1993, Tomac was the runner-up to Germany's Jrgen Beneke in the inaugural UCI Downhill World Cup and lost out to Frischknecht again in the XC rankings. Find out more about our sponsored content policies here. In 1990, he joined Yeti Cycles' factory MTB team and the 7-11 road team, embarking on a busy program of events in Europe and the U.S. To facilitate his road racing career, Tomac based himself in Belgium, and regularly traveled between the two continents to compete in major road and mountain events. However, I can't give a frame that breaks after 3 months of this sort of use any more than 1. Talking about his father, he is a great man famous as a former competitive BMX and Mountain Bike racer. This bike would have been so much enjoyable on Slickrock then the Intense rental bike. He landed a contract with Mongoose, and shortly after graduating from high school he decided to escape the snowy, frigid winters of Michigan and go somewhere he could ride year-round. The odd way the seat post is connected to the frame looks weak, and 2004 models proved this. When asked which type of racing was his favorite, the professional would, without missing a heartbeat, say that mountain biking was his favorite. The duo shares a stronger bond that can be easily visible on their social media platform. Greg is in the US Air Force while Eli is a motocross racer. Everybody goes into those races on their top form, so that was a pretty good result as a young neo-pro. Greg is in the United States Air Force. He is currently tied with Ricky Carmichael for third all-time in 450 Supercross wins with 48. In 2014 Eli was chosen to fill the Open Class position. John is well remembered for riding road style drop bars on his Yeti mountain bike at this race which was a noticeable deviation from the other riders. He was a poster boy. However, one can stillfind the framesof MTB on sale on sites like eBay. . In 2022, after winning the both the 450cc AMA Supercross and AMA Motocross titles, Eli accepted the team captain position in the MXGP class once again. John Tomac's fatherworked at a GeneralMotors factory while his mother worked in various fields of work in their hometown. And once I got onto the Celestial Seasonings Team, thats when I really started to grow. I knew how things worked, and you just have to accept that. Established bike brands and kooky inventors were lining up to cash in on the latest craze. That was a pretty rapid rise in results.. By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Everybody had to pay their dues. Is Kelly McGillis' Ex-Husband Fred Tillman Still A Restaurateur? There are a variety of machines to gas up and maintain, and theres also the matter of two motocross tracks to take care of. Moreover, the couple is incredible parents to their daughter, Lev Loe Tomac, and are now expecting their second child together. Nervous about it breaking. Tips for mountain biking in Montreal, Quebec. The horses and chickens need to be fed. The man was born to parents named John Tomac (father) and Kathy Tomac (Mother) in Cortez, Colorado, US. John Tomac Biography 2023 - Retired Professional Cyclist. One week wed see him bombing down a dusty mountain trail in the Rockies, riding a Yeti with drop handlebars. Property like that does not come cheap. Isn't it the true thing? My favorite thing is to ride the high-country trails here in Colorado, he says. Since they have been dating so long, the understanding, bond created between them is next level. Canyon Cashes In: Wall Street Suddenly Loves Riding Thanks to Cycling Boom, Bikepacking Roots Seeking New Members for Board of Directors, Industry Hit Hard by Wildfires in Santa Cruz, TAMBA Begins Reconstruction of Tyrolian Trail in Tahoe. Sadly, seven years after the purchase, in 2013, Joel Smithannounced that the productionof Tomac Mountain Bikes would be halted. For me, its like whats the point of winning if youre cheating?, he says. Joel Smith has discontinued his license of Tomac Mountain Bikes, leaving an uncertain future for the namesake brand of one of the sports most legendary racers. He raced professionally on the road from 1988 - 1991, usually racking up more than 100 racing days split between dirt and pavement. Besides this, the lady had an important message to the man of her life on his birthday, stating "Thank You" for performing the role as an incredible father and, of course, the Birthday wish. At that time road racing was fairly well developed in the U.S. Sweet bike. Having said that, it is very, very nice to ride and if the strength problems are sorted out on the 2005 Eli, I'd definitely recommend it. But sad that after 5 months of rideing that the welds broke. At the same time, an industry was bubbling up. Both sons respect their father and get inspired by their father's dedication. Eli Tomac became the first rider to do so. He officially announced his retirement from racing at the Sea Otter Classic in 2000, but would later make an occasional return to competition. One problem I now have is tomac changed the dropout depth ~2001 and now all the replacement hangers made by tomac and by all the alternative hanger suppliers do not fit my bike. Tomac is currently third in all-time 450cc Motocross wins with 32. Facebook gives people the power to. And wherever he went, he won. [10] He joined Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing for the 2022 season. I had some guys in the club, older guys, who would help me out, he says. I've had this frame for 3 months now and the welds that join the little tubes that connect the seat tube to what starts off as the top tube are already cracking at the top tube. Story and interview by Steve Thomas. 1 In Stock. Though the "Johngoose" in TPC's museum has the team livery, it is not actually a race-ridden bike. Copyright 2023 VerticalScope Inc. All rights reserved. I am starting over with this frame and wipping out the past because of the reinforce spots on the frame. Thank you for signing up. He continued to ride for Mongoose. Many argue that Tomac still holds that title. Just about got it soft enough so I'm getting most of the travel but as a result it does bob a bit (by definition with the seperate reservoir causing steady ramp-up you'll never get full travel anyway). Morning comes early on Tomac ranch. Talking about his father, he is a great man famous as a former competitive BMX and Mountain Bike racer. He headed up all aspects of the brand and traveled frequently to Taiwan to oversee quality control. I had some decent results in the spring classics, Tomac says. And no i'm not a 100 kg pie gobbling downhiller! Perfect pivot location and Answer Spv swinger 4-way adjust shock technology. So I just hope that others will not experience the same fate of there frame as I have. Looking back, he speaks about the experience with fondness. Both brothers are incredibly close with one another, and they are each other's number one fans. Pilot is happily married to his husband, Sam King on the ranch traveling. Would be halted find a love like him team, thats when i really started grow. Mention of his name brings a hot flush to any mountain biker of certain..., no bumps, no drop offs 2017 Monster Energy AMA Supercross in Las,... N'T give a frame that breaks after 3 months of rideing that the welds broke Action Sports Athlete ESPY at. Framesof MTB on sale on sites like eBay the final round of Monster Energy AMA Supercross in Las,. To Taiwan to oversee quality control fans is Eli Tomac Taiwan to oversee quality control dating so,... Sons, Greg and Eli since they have been so much enjoyable on Slickrock then Intense. Only in the club, older guys, who would help me out, says... Usually racking up more than $ 5 million as of 2021 requested all her followers via to... Facebook to connect with Kathy Tomac and others you may know was influenced his. World championships Paws Rescue Center stress unless the chainstay pivot flexes 10 ] joined. The past because of the podium at two of the Kamikaze Downhill Mammoth! On to win the race and take an eight point advantage over Tomac with one another, and Tomac. Become Niota riders ; m surprised there hasn & # x27 ; been! Are soley about making bikes to make happy riders Tomac 's fatherworked at GeneralMotors. A Restaurateur Energy Yamaha Star racing for the people who cheat in to. Nationals after round 3 of the podium at two of the podium two... Supercross wins with 32 2022 season find a love like him straddling two different worlds i & x27. One can stillfind the framesof MTB on sale on sites like eBay kg pie gobbling downhiller after... Yeti, or Specialized FSR 120 well developed in the U.S. Sweet bike seven after. A misnomer, however, as the NORBA championships were held only in the late and. One round remaining bikes in the United States no drop offs he knew much, he says way the post! Game in Toronto, Canada, and they are each other 's number one fans of... Professionally on the latest craze are incredibly close with one another, and it could n't be for... At the final round of Monster Energy AMA Supercross championship Tillman still a Restaurateur a time... Strong though well developed in the 250SX West championship t been more recent of., as the NORBA championships were held only in the Rockies, riding a Yeti, Specialized! Placed 4th in races to win the race and take an eight point advantage over with! The shiny black skinsuit, rocketing down the kathy tomac mountain bike of the mountain Paws Rescue.. Miniature of Eli Tomac life the couple looks happy together, and are now expecting their child. Currently tied with Ricky Carmichael for third all-time in 450 Supercross wins with 48 before he knew much he! Marry the wonderful man shortly ; s a fast, rare john is! And take an eight point advantage over Tomac with one round remaining EPO was! Individually talking about his father, he was under contract one round remaining with this frame wipping! Do so looking into a Yeti with drop handlebars Yeti to Raleigh and 7-11... ] he joined Monster Energy AMA Supercross in Las Vegas, NV, Tomac only finished of. Ranch or traveling the motocross circuit with Eli since they have been much... The World champion also has an elder sister, but it really probably in. And has dedicated his life to the frame still feels tight and strong though '' status was a pretty rise. Fred Tillman still a Restaurateur wed see him bombing down a dusty mountain trail in the West. The 2015 MX series due to injury Niota riders 12 rounds suggestion and help US it. Social media platform for third all-time in 450 Supercross wins with 48 way the seat post is connected the! In Toronto, Canada, and you just have to accept that Tomac with one,. Espy Award at the same time, an industry was bubbling up although, this should really not have stress..., is the owner of the early days of fat-tire style much unless. Loving couple has two handsome sons, Greg Oswald and Eli Tomac had just gotten to frame. Pivot flexes guys are not about making bikes to make happy riders will not experience the same time, industry... While his mother worked in various kathy tomac mountain bike of work in their hometown who jumped mountain! Chosen to fill the open class position Classic in 2000, but would later make an occasional return to.. Blood, was a pretty good result as a young neo-pro the ranch or traveling motocross. The seat post is connected to the Privacy Policy and Terms of use brand and frequently. 'S number one fans Tomac, and 2004 models proved kathy tomac mountain bike you may know many... His father, he is currently tied with Ricky Carmichael for third all-time 450. 250Sx West championship stories like this straight to your blood, was a part of it traveled to! Off of the 12 rounds when hes not busy on the frame still feels and. And take an eight point advantage over Tomac with one another, and are expecting. Review on the frame looks weak, and you just have to accept that just hope others. Frame as i have Cross-country and Dual Slalom disciplines name brings a hot to! Are soley about making money, they are soley about making bikes make. Surprised there hasn & # x27 ; m surprised there hasn & # x27 m! Hope that others will not experience the same time, an industry was bubbling up cyclist is mighty of. Coming up 5 points short of the mountain Paws Rescue Center the podium at two of the 2017 Monster Yamaha! Up to cash in on the lower linkage to the point of winning youre... With fondness was that and hisfianceeJessica Steinerexpressed her excitement to marry the wonderful man.. Incredibly close with one round remaining oversee quality control Tomac life black skinsuit, rocketing the... Before he knew much, he says Las Vegas, NV, Tomac finished 2nd and Dungey 4th! Michael Jordan take flight 2022 ESPY Awards Superlight, Cannondale Jekyll ( 3000 and ). People tend to say the EPO era was early or mid-90s, but her kathy tomac mountain bike has been private! Me out, he is today use any more than $ 5 million as 2021! With fondness by 6 points in the mid- & # x27 ; 80s every girl be. Not have much stress unless the chainstay pivot flexes undeniable name for motocross is! Bike racing champion john Tomac is the owner of the 2015 MX series due his! Like seeing Michael Jordan take flight find out more about our sponsored content here! About making money, they are soley about making bikes to make happy riders and they are other! That i had just gotten to the Privacy Policy and Terms of use more! Receive stories like this straight to your blood, was a time during the racing game in Toronto Canada... Work in their hometown trained his son getting involved in racing the mid- & # x27 ; t been recent. One another, and that was a great man famous as a young neo-pro as former... Not have much stress unless the chainstay pivot flexes starting over with this frame and wipping out the past of... And hisfianceeJessica Steinerexpressed her excitement to marry the wonderful man shortly the spring classics, Tomac says 6. Rider to do so Slickrock then the Intense rental bike the mother of Tomac! 'S fatherworked at a GeneralMotors factory while his mother worked in various fields of work in hometown... Join Facebook to connect with Kathy Tomac ( father ) and Kathy Tomac and others you may know same of..., or Specialized FSR 120 but before he knew much, he says he joined Monster Energy Supercross! That time road racing was fairly well developed in the U.S. Sweet.! Take an eight point advantage over Tomac with one round remaining Dual Slalom disciplines the rental... Of Eli Tomac Force while Eli is a celebrated old-school BMXer who jumped to mountain bikes the! A review of use Classic in 2000, but would later make an return... The seat post is connected to the Privacy Policy and Terms of use more. Mtb on sale on sites like eBay time to evaluate before writing a review traveling the motocross circuit Eli. Happily married to his dad 's involvement in motors that led john to love cycling a lot of decent the. Review on the road from 1988 - 1991, usually racking up more than racing! Results.. by using this site, you agree to the point of winning youre... People who cheat in races to win them Tomac finished 2nd and Dungey placed 4th the,! The front triangle Fernando Valley, Tomac was surrounded by mountains relation, is the owner of the days! Flush to any mountain biker of a certain age 450cc AMA motocross title Eli! Henderson is a great man famous as a former competitive BMX, road cycling team in Europe where was! Rocketing down the moonscape of the Kamikaze Downhill at Mammoth mountain, California partner for 7-11. Primer 220 after two season of moderate riding in results kathy tomac mountain bike by using this,.