GEICO Honda’s Eli Tomac and Wil Hahn will make the move to the premier class with the team for 2014. Image: Simon Cudby.

GEICO Honda has announced the re-signing off current team rider Eli Tomac and Wil Hahn for the 2014 season in the premier class.

Tomac and Hahn, both 250SX AMA Supercross champions, will make the transition into the elite 450SX class at Anaheim’s season opening round of the 2014 Monster Energy Supercross series.

Following in Trey Canard and Justin Barcia’s footsteps, Tomac will be the third GEICO Honda rider to reach the pinnacle of the sport after joining the team as an up and coming amateur.

“As an amateur, GEICO Honda was a team you looked up to,” Tomac said. “They always had a great 250 team and legendary guys like Mike LaRocco and Kevin Windham on their 450.

“What we’re doing now is a step in a new direction. It’s going to be like a whole new program. To be one of the first guys to make it happen is really cool.”

Tomac looks forward to making the move into the 450 class with GEICO Honda, a team that he is familiar with after a long relationship together.

“Moving to a 450 is a big enough step as it is,” he added. “I would imagine that the transition would be a lot harder if you’ve got to learn a new motorcycle and a new team. I won’t have to do that. I already know this inside and out. I’m excited to get started.”

Despite multiple setbacks over the past years due to injury, Hahn’s presence became a valued one on the team and the group’s patience was rewarded this season when Hahn won two races on the way to the 250SX east coast title.

“I didn’t start with them as an amateur, but I feel like I have,” Hahn explained. “I was around the team a lot when I was younger hanging out with my brother Tommy. I’ve always felt love from this team and I’m honored they asked me to ride the 450 for them.

“They stuck behind me during times when a lot of teams would have let me go. They saw something in me, they kept me on, and it paid off for both sides.”

Hahn echoes Tomac’s thoughts and believes that the familiar surroundings and the same championship-winning equipment will make the step up that much easier.

“Riding for a factory 450 team is something you dream about as a kid,” Hahn added. “Everyone on the team has a constant drive and determination to want to win. Everyone works together for that goal.

“The great part of it is, everything is staying the same: familiar surroundings, same Factory Connection suspension, same engine guy, a Honda motorcycle and the family atmosphere. There’s a lot to be said for that.”

Team owner Jeff Majkrzak admits that expanding to two 450 riders is a big step, but it is a move the team has been working toward for a long time now.

“We only wanted to expand to two 450 riders if we could do it the right way,” Majkrzak said. “We wanted to make sure our major partners GEICO, Honda and AMSOIL were ready and willing to go on this ride with us.

“The timing was perfect and we’re excited for the team’s future with Eli and Wil leading the way for our 250cc and amateur teams.”

The industry and fans will get a preview of GEICO Honda’s new 450 duo when they take to the track at the Monster Energy Cup at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas on 19 October.