Eli Tomac captured his second overall win in three rounds by posting 2-1 moto finishes at the Peterson CAT Washougal National at Washougal MX Park, round nine of the 2016 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship, July 23.
In doing so, the Monster Energy Kawasaki-backed Tomac became the only rider besides Ken Roczen to score more than one overall win in the 450cc class, and he did it on a Washougal track that was perhaps closest in composition to The Wick 338, the site of Tomac’s first win of 2016. Prior to the race, Washougal officials added a bunch of sand to the track surface, and it seemed to suit Tomac’s style as he reeled off his second win in three rounds.
“I don’t know [how to describe today],” Tomac said. “The first moto was a little funky. I was a little off. I was tight in the first half and came around in the second half. I got to the front pretty quick in the second moto, and when I got to Kenny [Roczen] he kind of just gave it to me. I took it and laid it down after that. I was just in a good rhythm.”
Autotrader/Monster Energy/Yamaha’s Phil Nicoletti pulled the holeshot in Moto 1, with BTO Sports/WPS KTM’s Andrew Short, Roczen, and Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Christophe Pourcel in tow. Nicoletti held the lead until Roczen passed him in the final whoop section before the finish line. Roczen then began to put daylight between himself and the rest of the field. Pourcel passed Short and Nicoletti to run second by lap three.
Tomac, meanwhile, had gotten off to a sixth-place start, but he was up to third by lap two. Red Bull KTM’s Marvin Musquin was also on the move, and he appeared set to challenge Tomac for third place, only to crash. Musquin, however, was able to get moving again without losing fourth place.
The battle of the race came when Tomac moved in on Pourcel to challenge for second place. Tomac passed Pourcel on lap 14, but it appeared as though Pourcel wasn’t ready to give up so easily. Unfortunately for Pourcel, his run in the moto came to an end when he tucked his front end while going over a jump and hit the ground hard, allowing Musquin to take over third place.
Roczen took his 14th moto win of the year just over 3 seconds ahead of Tomac. Musquin was a comfortable third ahead of Nicoletti, who scored a season-best fourth ahead of BTO Sports/WPS KTM’s Benny Bloss, whose fifth-place finish was also a season-best performance.
Musquin was clearly having a good day as he powered into the lead at the start of Moto 2, ahead of Red Bull KTM teammate Dean Wilson, Roczen and Tomac. Roczen was once again able to make early passes on Wilson and then Musquin to move into the lead on lap one. However, Tomac was up to third place before the start of lap two, and he found his way past Musquin before lap three. Tomac then began to eat into Roczen’s advantage quickly, and he made an outside pass for the lead on lap three. Roczen appeared to be loafing at that point, and it appeared as if his intention was to let Tomac lead before mounting another challenge to steal the moto win.
Tomac never gave Roczen the chance, however, setting a torrid pace out front that allowed him to pull clear of the field and claim the moto win by more than 16 seconds. Roczen cruised to a second-place finish with Musquin third. Although he failed to gain on Roczen in the series standings, Tomac’s 2-1 finishes landed him his 17th career Lucas Oil Pro Motocross overall win.
Roczen still holds a 55-point lead over Tomac with three races remaining.
“I’m pretty happy with my day,” Roczen said. “This is not my favorite place for some reason. It was tough in the second moto. It was the driest I’ve ever seen this track, and it was difficult with all the sun and shadows [to see and ride a normal pace]. I still got two good starts today and won a moto, so I’m leaving happy. It was one of those days where I’m finished second, and I’m okay with it. I’m glad it’s over.”
The series resumes with the Unadilla National in New Berlin, New York on August 13.
2016 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship
Peterson CAT Washougal National
Washougal MX Park
Washougal, Washington
Results: July 23, 2016 (Round 9 of 12)
450cc Overall
1. Eli Tomac, Cortez, CO, Kawasaki (2-1)
2. Ken Roczen, Germany, Suzuki (1-2)
3. Marvin Musquin, France, KTM (3-3)
4. Weston Peick, Menifee, CA, Yamaha (7-5)
5. Justin Barcia, Monroe, NY, Yamaha (10-4)
6. Andrew Short, Colorado Springs, CO, KTM (6-7)
7. Benny Bloss, Oak Grove, MO, KTM (5-9)
8. Phil Nicoletti, Cohocton, NY, Yamaha (4-11)
9. Dean Wilson, Scotland, KTM (8-10)
10. Fredrik Noren, Sweden, Honda (15-8)
2016 Lucas Oil Pro 450cc Pro Motocross Championship Series Points Standings (after 9 of 12 rounds)
1. Ken Roczen- 434/6 overall wins/14 moto wins
2. Eli Tomac-379/2 overall wins/3 moto wins
3. Marvin Musquin-283
4. Justin Barcia-244
5. Christophe -217
6. Broc Tickle-171
7. Andrew Short-155
8. Justin Brayton- 152
9. Cole Seely-151
10. Benny Bloss-151
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