In less than a month, the 2015 AMA Supercross season will be underway. However, GEICO Honda rider Eli Tomac’s hunt for his first 450cc championship has already taken a turn for the better before he even hits the track at Angel Stadium.
With the recent announcement of five-time Supercross champion Ryan Villapoto leaving the U.S. circuit for the FIM Motocross World Championship in Europe, the opportunity for a new AMA Supercross champion to be crowned in 2015 is inevitable.
“There is a spot open now to take the title,” Tomac said. “Not saying that Villapoto would have gone on to win every single race and the championship this season, but this gives a lot of hope for the upcoming season to the other racers.
“This year I feel like I’m in a much better spot heading into the season. I feel like I have an even better shot of being in the title-fight at the end of the year.”
With talk swirling of who will take over after Villapoto’s incredible reign, Tomac’s name is among a short list of riders seen as the biggest contenders for the 2015 title.
“It’s cool to be seen as a one of the riders to beat for the championship,” Tomac said, “but it’s also kind of expected in my mind. You put a lot of work in during the off-season to be able to be in the position of title-contender. That’s where I want to be, the rider on everyone’s mind.”
Wanting to ensure that his chase for the championship is a success, Tomac’s time off has been spent preparing mentally and physically for anything he may endure, including stacking his talent against the world’s best overseas.
“The off-season has been good so far,” Tomac said. “Everything just seems to be going better than before, including the motorcycle and me physically.
“I had a couple off-season races in Italy and France so far and I won both those events. Those extra races really help put into perspective where I’m at as a rider and what I need to work on more before the season kicks off in a few weeks.
“From what I’ve seen so far, I think we’re in a good spot right now as one to beat every race.”