Source: Supplied.

Words: Adam Wheeler

Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Eli Tomac spoke after his second MXGP win last weekend and there was no talk of regret over his decision to remove himself from selection for the 2016 Motocross of Nations at Maggiora, Italy, in two weeks time.

The 23-year-old apparently attracted criticism for his commitment to the grand prix in Charlotte and Glen Helen, and then sitting out the 70th MXoN that takes place a fortnight after the final world championship fixture in California.

“It is tough. For me this is my thirty-second weekend of racing since January, so I had to draw a line somewhere because we also have Monster Cup,” Tomac said. “If I did that [the Nations] then it would be 10 and a half months of racing. You have to have a little bit of time to get ready for January.”

Tomac, who rode at the event in Germany in 2013 and 2014 has also been a frequent visitor to international supercross races in France, did appear contrite to miss the chance of a third chance to wear the stars and stripes: “It is an event I did not want to miss at all though,” he added.

The former AMA 250SX champion ruled all four motos of his double MXGP debut and although the Charlotte and Glen Helen fixtures were different in terms of the scheduling and tracks, Tomac was afforded a good look at grand prix.

Quizzed as to whether he’d had enough insight to imagine a full FIM world championship campaign he said: “We have a pretty regular schedule but these guys are flying across the world for events and I think traveling to all those countries is a big part of it.”

“I don’t know. It is a little bit easier here in the US because you are always at home,” he concluded.