Yes John says it as it is no skirting they issue . I know John to max from my days racing downhill in Norba & even knew Eli when he was a newborn . We pitted by the Tomacs for a season doing Norba nationals . What a straight up stand up guy . Plus he was pioneering his own built downhill bike in 94-95 while still punishing us in x-country & double duty downhill . So when he talks about motors & suspension he is speaking from an engineering aspect even on motors the man knows his shit . Hats off to the Tomac’s . Great people .
I SAID IT OVER AND OVER. ELI WAS NOT EVEN TRYING TO WIN ANOTHER TITLE ON THE KAWASAKI. BECAUSE THEY WERE NOT CATERING TO A MAN WHO HAD ALREADY WON MULTIPLE TITLES ON A KAWI. HE SHOWED AT THE END OF THE YEAR THAT HE COULD WIN ANYTIME HE WANTED TOO. WHEN EVERYBODY ELSE IN THE NATION HAD WRITTEN HIM OFF. WELL HE SHOWED JUST HOW WRONG YOU ALL WERE IN 2022. WINNING BOTH TITLES. AS I PREDICTED, ONLY BECAUSE I STILL KNEW HE WAS THE BEST OUT THERE. I GOT LUCKY WITH THAT, YES. BUT HE PROVED ME RIGHT. JEFFREY HEIRLINGS IS NOT AS GOOD BECAUSE HE CANT KEEP IT ON 2 WHEELS AND IS HURT YEAR AFTER YEAR.
When Eli is on it he's a beast... I call him Jaws because at about the 8 minute left mark if he's a few places back you can almost hear the Jaw's theme song come on and he's full throttle through everything eating up ground, time and anyone in front of him....Amazing to watch ! Great interview !
John Tomac is a ledgend for a many reasons, its no wonder Eli is so good, but dealing with the bosses is another thing John is now a ledgend for. Eli was asked one time how he does against John on a Mountain Bike, Eli said something like, I can stick with hime pretty good going up the hill, but going downhill no way.. Two Great Men !!! Great interview !!!
That was a better interview then talking to most riders. Awsome to hear so much behind the scenes info. Star racing might change the sport with the freedom they have. Also goes to show the trust Star has in the team they assembled at the GOAT farm.
This is how the GOAT of this time wraps up his career/story.I always had a feeling that Eli knew that he will rise to the occasion when so many thought he will no longer be up there again.I noticed after the first round in Anaheim 1 when he was just on the 6th place.After that night everybody thought it was over for him and most overlook the fact that he was very consistent cause he came all the way from the 14th place and finished 6th place.Nothing can beat his experience and his attitude and skill.He’s the goat of this time
please stop saying oxymorons like the GOAT of this time the greatest of all time of this time is just retarded say the best but stop for the love of GOD misusing the word GOAT
Absolutely awesome interview. Even the first half pulpmx cut out of this video is very worth listening to! Props to Johnny T for his honesty and openness. A True Legend!
I always thought Honda was beyond stupid not to bring Eli into the factory team in 2016. They would have had multiple 450 class championships right now. Instead, they haven't had one in 18 years.
@@earlycuyler4019 absolutely. Look at how they treated RC. The act like it's a privilege to be on their team. Maybe that would be true if it hadn't been nearly 20 years since their last championship
When John Tomac talks, This is a great thing. John has always seemed to let Eli be Eli, because he believes in his Sons ability's throughout the years. The same with Eli to his Mom and Dad, Trusting makes Champions. Kawasaki should have listened to the RIDERS NEEDS, if it didn't work, then back to the Factory drawing board. I believe the factories know the young guys because the build them up to become a JS7, RC4, and ET3. when your at that stage, its about their needs to win a race. John Tomac shown that on a mountain bike, road bike. Always worked to his abilities and known how much farther they know they want to go. Respect to them and all those that get the chance to race each week.
That's how Eli eventually overtook Sexton and Webb, he was riding wide open while the track kept deteriorating . The physical shape that you need to be in to pull that off is just nuts .
Such a smart move on the Tomac’s! Eli is your top guy, you are paying him to win races and to have a brand that won’t go with you and support changes to the bike is a huge deal. Kawasaki should have done whatever Eli wanted! Star Yamaha and having Gilly there is just what they needed to do! Eli has the red plate and seems to get better every week. He had a few tough races but look at what he’s been doing lately! Love that Star is willing to do what it takes to give these guys an amazing bike to ride, where they feel comfortable and can push those limits and make it work! A happy Eli is a fast Eli!
Well that’s just how idiotic & greedy Kawasaki is, they’re so stupid the man did how much won how much on their bike & now look man moves on & is gonna be 450 supercross champion lol
It happens a lot more often than one would think, and I don’t understand why any team would refuse to set up a bike the way the rider wants it. Roczen was in the same boat with RCH, they wouldn’t let him set the suspension up the way he wanted it. I could be mistaken, but apparently Roczen then bought his own RMZ450, kept it all stock except for the suspension valving, and was spinning faster laps than his “factory” bike. And that pissed RCH off a lot lol
@@CraigVisionzGames although, I do agree that it’s a little odd how unwilling some of these factory’s like Kawasaki can be to try things that the riders want, but they also are the winningest brand in the sport. It worked really well with RV, and then worked for a while with Eli, and now it’s working really well with Jason 🤷🏻♂️ So who knows what’ll happen. But yeah, I do see your point.
Wow that's crazy. So the frame I'm currently riding (17 Honda) was developed by Eli. I never knew that. Sucks that Honda wouldn't take care of him and he never got to race it. Then they invest millions in Kenny to have him get hurt on it.
Great interview. Shows how at the end of the day... it is people, culture and relationship that are the most important factors in creating a winning formula.
Remember Eli coming to our local track when he was riding 65"s . When I first saw the kid, he rode wide open and virtually just leaves it pinned in corners jumps whatever
This is one thing this sport is lacking... The behind the scenes/contract gossip. We need more in-depth from top riders but they all want suppress the 411. Love it guys great show.
I really thought Eli was just going to Yamaha to retire out and not do much, but man was I wrong he looks like a new rider and ready to win a bunch of championships
His love of sport has reignited we might see the oldest supercross/motocross champion in this sport. And he might go for more. With all this modern fitness and passion Eli is here to stay for a little bit longer. Never was really a Tomac Fan admired him but now im rooting for him as he already made history of 6 Daytona wins.
Eli and John I love so much because it's so much like all our moto stories: at the track with dad. Except he kept formula all way to the pinnacle instead of leaving the family thing behind and going for a trainer and moving to a facility and all that. It's still just dad n son at the track together, but at the peak. It's cool to see.
Being an engineer and a rider myself this makes total sense. Both have to effectively communicate to make the equipment work better for the rider and the manufacturer and all involved have to evolve and change and really tune in to what the rider needs to improve. Gotta think outside the box.
So cool to get the goods from John. How could Kawi not let the Tomacs try some different stuff eh! And Stars program just went up a notch or two higher by signing Eli, Gilly and getting John too, what a move! I love the way Star is doing things, cant beat what they have got going on for having the most positve atmosphere for their whole team and families too! And now adding Chiz to the mix, so awesome!
I am really happy to see Eli in such a good way. He was so unhappy for a few years there. Uptight and stressed. Now he can relax and hang it out. ⚡⚡⚡⚡👍⚡👍⚡⚡⚡⚡👍⚡👍⚡👍⚡
I fully understand kawasakis mindset “if you’re good enough, This is what works, we have had Carmichael, Stewart, villopoto and tomac. It’s proven. If you need to change more than this now to win, odds are you’re past your prime and we are ready to move on. On the flip side of that, When you have those all time talents, you should do anything and everything to keep them happy and comfortable.
Yeah exactly but look, bc they ain’t willing to move out of that box to comfort the riders you get a forkner or AC super fast and talented but always hurt
Yeah I noticed that too, seems like John had more to say but they just kept cutting in. It's not like we hear from the Tomacs often. Is it really so hard for Steve to do himself a favor once in a while and shut the hell up? I'm thankful he got John on the show, but I wish I had heard more of what he had to say.
What people fail to realize is......These pros who actually make their bikes better and push the envelope are the primary driving factor in innovation... I am a die hard Kawasaki guy but to be completely honest, Yamaha has a seriously stacked hauler right now.....I think Yamaha will soon be superior right out of the box at the weekend warrior level....
Yamaha being a superior bike right out of the box has always been known that's not new . Yamaha has always had the best reliability out of all the Japanese bikes and it usually dominates magazine motocross shootouts and comes standard with the best suspension and best computer map app . Tomac's input on how to improve it is invaluable . I noticed while Tomac is fast in the whoop sections I've seen that YZ 450 skim the top of those at Daytona when AP was on board a year or so ago so it can be better setup. If Tomac still wants more power GIVE IT TO HIM , he can handle it . I also feel it can lose more weight the bike doesn't move as fast in the air after a jump as some others I've noticed . Keep working Yamaha and do exactly what Tomac tells you to do . Tomac knows best .
@@herbcanter2114 - I am a Yamaha fan, have owned 3 - all had issues, and I have never seen a YZ win a shootout until this year, so you might want to bring it down a few fan levels, they are great bikes, but they all are - and they have not won Supercross in forever, while Kaw has won more than anyone.
@@herbcanter2114 I mean, that's pretty accurate but Tomac will be able to push that bike to its limits. Either way, having these pro's give feedback to a manufacture who's willing to make change will ultimately create a better product through trial and error, R&D, etc Either way this season is lookin good! Me personally I ride a 2021 KX450 in the 450B class. I love the bike
@@alondite215 - show me the shootout they won, you cant until this year.....show me the Supercross they won....good luck, but hey, maybe you pay attention to cartoons that tell you otherwise.
@@NikkFlo ya was totally brutal.. They interrupted him and lost track of the conversation... Mr. Tomac was giving some great inside information they could of asjed more questions about instead of them blah blah blah
Its as simple as each rider has his own style and way around the bike. Or it may just be change of pace. Tomac and Anderson may get along alot better with the team now. Maybe the mechanics understand what they want more we'll never really know for sure but whatever it is its working for them. Personally I think its the bikes suit their styles better and the team listening and understanding what they want out of the bike to advance.
good listen -- Tomac is the best rider out, and I think can win on any bike, but for the people mad at Kawasaki, remember they are the winningest bike out there, so asking them to change for a rider who mailed it in last year after finally staying on the bike for a season to win the title makes no sense. I guarantee they do make changes for riders, but probably not complete overhaul.
The Tomac family are my neighbors. At least in the same county. I have bought some hay for my horses from Tomac so I always followed Eli when he was with Kawasaki and now with Yamaha. The bike can make a rider, but when Eli moved from Kawasaki to Yamaha you can see that the rider can make the bike.
It's a marriage. Webb gets wins with KTM, but Webb wasnt winning with yamaha, but yamaha is getting wins with Eli, who wasnt getting wins with Kawasaki, who is getting wins with Anderson, who wasnt getting wins with Husky....
@@dirtbikedave Actually Webb was really successful with Yamaha when he was in the 250 class . He really didn't have much time on the 450 before switching to KTM.
@@funkoff5that's true. I'll rephrase that. He wasnt getting what he wanted and felt it was affecting his ability to win more of the races he felt he could win.
makes you wonder what kind of changes they wanted? doesn't sound like a settings issue maybe a total parts replacement possibly? Been watching supercross since the early 80s I've seen great riders come and go but the manufactures stay the same. Apparently the changes Tomac wanted wasn't something Kawasaki wanted to see done to their bike,
All time best? IMO Eli has “lost” 2-3 championship titles in the years past in the Dungey era. Eli was too inconsistent and crashed out of at least one race (or missed a couple rounds). Yea he’s great but I don’t think of him as in the same group as McGrath, RC, RV and Dungey. Have you seen episode 500 with McGrath, RC Jason Thomas and Daniel Blair? In that episode the majority of those guys have the same thoughts. And to be clear I have thought this way for well before this episode I’m mentioning aired.
@@Maddog165 Obviously I saw the episode 500, But I don’t need to see that to talk or know about what you saying, Obviously he is never at that level and now is late to match their level, But he is not from the bunch, How many incredible and amazing talented riders like Matiasevich, Mike craig and lot of others who never won championship on premier class and just won some races? How many talented riders won championships? Still a shame for any Team not having him and more shame to Kawasaki let him go.
Perhaps the changes Tomac pushed Kawasaki to make were in the "grey" area and corporate wasn't going to take a chance that they could be disqualified. There are two distinct ways to look at any rulebook - (1) unless the rules say you can do something, you can't - so you don't. OR (2) Unless the rules say you can't, you can - so you do. I would like to know what specific changes were made and were they within the scope of the rules..
It always seemed that Eli didn't mesh with the Kawi. To me Eli rides better when he can turn on the front end rather than rear steer the bike. The Yamaha is more balanced, not as extreme front steer as the honda, but still puts Eli back in his comfort zone with some front steering. At A1 his settings looked softly sprung or too much rebound damping. Since then the bike has some spring and pop to it. Comfort equals speed.
These Yamaha machines are just unbeatable with the program Star has going right now. With the maturity Eli has and the pace he's winning races at now, records are going to continue to fall like dominoes.
When it comes to manufacturers taking risk and breaking the mold I don't think any other manufacturer in motorcycles is like Yamaha. They stuck Doug Henry on a 1997 YZM400F works bike in Vegas plus won it and had a 1998 YZ400F in production. The rest is history cause look where we are today... thank you Eli and thank you Yamaha
@@fjbfuckjoebiden3615 and you got to think 2 he’s the 2018 champ too bro a former champion to so let me refresh your memory Um just two years ago I saw Eli take people out too an bump em when he passed people when he was at Kawi too an saw him race people dirty at Honda too an in 2017 at the Las Vegas finals he tried to do his damnest to take out Ryan Dungy too from winning the title mmm 🤔 watch that video thanks 😉
I think riding with Tickle and coaching is a good combination for Anderson and I'd just like to see some good clean racing at maxed out levels like Tomac and Anderson are at this season.
Eli is the goat. Yes his stats will never reflect that even though he’s getting close. Being a real rider who never got out of the b class, I have a huge respect for what Eli does on a bike. Sure bubba gets love for the invention of the scrub but 10 years from now people will look back and realize nobody rode like tomac he’s an absolute legend.
Ummmm....John backed off when it came down to the real reason Eli left. Eli had to sign a non-disclosure agreement when he left his contract, and Kawi did make more offers after he'd declined the first time. Is anyone noticing how wicked fast Jason is when he is in control of the awesome KX power??.......flew by Tomac a few races ago, and was gone (like Eli used to do..) Watch the rounds at Loretta Lynn's last year..........left the bike standing up in the mud, walked away steaming in his helmet just like that poor cooked KX....the DNF;s last season cost him the championship. I'd bet good money the reason he left Kawi was because of serious head butting with the Kawi engineers over the way he rides with the clutch. The Yamaha was showing signs of it at Daytona. With a two-stroke, the gear box oil, and engine, are separated ....not on a four stroke. All of the heat riding the clutch is dumped into the engine oil, and then into cooling system. If there are mudders in the outdoors, pretty sure we'll see a repeat. As for the fine tuning of the suspension, and only the Yamaha guy who used to work with Eli?.....LMAO.....watch all of the footage of Eli decimating the field when he was on.....and the suspension guy wasn't.
I don't think I've ever seen so many non-points in one post. Pro-tip: When you're biased toward a particular brand, making it obvious in your post makes you impossible to take seriously.
Just sounds like tomac is riding like he's on a 2 stroke still lots of throttle and clutch management and star was willing to accommodate small changes to suit that
Are you counting monster energy cup as a championship? Because if not he only got 4 champs with Kawi. 3 motocross championships and 1 sx championship Idk you kept mentions 5 championships with kawi
I agree, but he only won all three races once, and that's when he one the one million $. I could totally be wrong, but that's the only other title he could be talking about, I think .
Just mind blowing that a bike manufacturer won’t take the advice from a team of professional champions that know they can make the bike better…imagine where production bikes would be if they would?
Ha Ha a monster coming, hey let's call it beast mode. Sad so many fans and critics can and don't want to say that all those SX titles he took to the wire, were lucky for the Dungeys and Weebs To win.
The guy that took over team green is a hack. He lets personal vendettas get in the way of running the team. They only started loosing when He decided to stop working with certain manufactures
More of the ageism. More shaming riders not in a certain age group. Everyone is picking up on this trend you guys always push. Close to becoming irrelevant, Just stop shaming and let the people that LOVE the sport to lead the way, Stop trying to frame the sport in your own light for worn out viewpoints. It's worn out. Just review your thought patterns.
you are missing the point, just because it seems that is working Well for Anderson and he seems comfortable on it, doesn't mean it will work well for Tomac or any other rider.
The point was Kawasaki wasn’t willing to work with Eli, to make the bike more comfortable for him. It don’t matter if you have the most power or whatever if the rider isn’t comfortable on the bike then it is harder for the rider to ride up to his or the bikes potential. Plain and simple.
