She loves to help her husband around, and most importantly,horseriding. Make your own conclusions. I am going a little bit into the Niota, because I suspect many Eli riders will become Niota riders. When he wasn't racing, Toby could often be found grabbing big air for John Ker's camera as one of MBA's most oft-used test riders. I wish I had this on my recent trip to Moab. It's a fast, rare John Tomac 98 Special Pro Mountain Bike. [13] Going into the penultimate round of Monster Energy AMA Supercross in East Rutherford, NJ, Tomac held a 3-point lead over Dungey. The professional mountain biker is estimated to have amassed millions of dollars over his 2-decade career. So, no, it didnt happen overnight. Also, through brand endorsements, sponsorships, and media appearances. Seeing how passionate his son is, John has volunteered to become his manager and thus oversees the rider's schedule. nothing technical, no jumps, no bumps, no drop offs. Initially (transferring the Fox Float 100RLC fork and having to buy a new seatpost and front mech) the bike was a nightmare - geometry with the fork was all wrong - seatpin seems very vertical (as does head angle) and I went over the handlebars (twice) on one ride - for the first time in years. View the profiles of people named Kathy Tomac. He struggle to a 6th place finish in his first Moto. Subscribe to BIKEs Newsletter to receive stories like this straight to your inbox. *Missed Rounds 1,2,3,4,10,11,12 & 17 of 2014 450 SX Due to injuries. The Tomac Signature bike was "Steeper and tighter than virtually any bike out there," wrote Keith Mills in a review for Bicycle Guide. Much better suspension design with the Tomac, so after I built the bike and road the Niota, was not happy and bought a closeout 2005 frame. In 2018, after winning the 450cc AMA Motocross title, Eli accepted the team captain position in the MXGP class. Here is an interview of John Tomac where he speaks about racing and family. As is the way in road racing, Tomac had a few local pack leaders to show him the ropes. This content is sponsored by Bell. Tomac is the younger of two sons of former competitive BMX, road cycling and mountain bike racing champion John Tomac and wife Kathy. Marvin Musquin finished second with 453 points and Blake Baggett finished third overall with 451 points.[3]. 3 years ago I bought an Intense XVP.I will be selling this bike! [14][12], Tomac began the 2017 AMA Motocross Championship season with 5 consecutive moto wins and 5 consecutive overall wins. Eli is recognized as a professional motocross racer. All rights reserved. He was a kid riding his BMX bike. Throughout his career, John Tomac participated in BMX racing, Mountain racing, cross-country races, downhill racing, trials racing, and road racing. Led Zepplin I, Homework, Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) Theres something enduring and magical about a stars debut. The odd way the seat post is connected to the frame looks weak, and 2004 models proved this. 1 In Stock. He continued to ride for Mongoose. Isn't it the true thing? At that time road racing was fairly well developed in the U.S. Only Ricky Carmichael (150 Wins), James Stewart Jr. (98 Wins) have more. The mountain biker certainly has an inspiring career. . Thats right where I wanted to be at the time, Tomac says. He was the 1988 USCF National Criterium Champion and was part of the winning team in the USCF National Team Time Trial Championship in 1989. Let us learn more about the man who won the 1991 Cross Country race, John Tomac. Both Tomac and Smith were devastated to stop the production as they held the bikes very dear to them. Altitude change. I didnt want to do that., Considering where he came from, and the life he has built here on the ranch, its easy to understand that decision. Then in February we were in Spain, then southern France racing. Tomac-signature cnc-machined pivots and yolks with sealed bearings ultimate stiffness . A little flexy laterally though. To watch Tomac in those years was like seeing Michael Jordan take flight. John is well remembered for riding road style drop bars on his Yeti mountain bike at this race which was a noticeable deviation from the other riders. My favorite thing is to ride the high-country trails here in Colorado, he says. Joel Smith has discontinued his license of Tomac Mountain Bikes, leaving an uncertain future for the namesake brand of one of the sport's most legendary racers. In addition to that, Tomac won two events on his way to the UCI XC World Cup title, and added a second NORBA DH title to his 1989 win. The design looks like it would place unreasonable forces on some of the tubes. My frame broke after a few months of riding. Some of them include Mongoose, Motorola, 7-11 Pro team, and Raleigh Cycles. But no one had more success in all facets of the sport than Tomac did. He began to compete in BMX racing events in and around Michigan in 1975 and continued competing in this discipline into his teenage years racing against Michigan BMX legends Tony Carnes, Mike Chapman, and Tim Root. Greg is in the United States Air Force. He won his first outdoor 450cc event at the 2014 Spring Creek National in Millville, Minnesota, US. [10] He joined Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing for the 2022 season. No, Kathy's son Eli is not married to date. This is 10 miles each way on a combination of fast single track, forest trails and cycle paths - i.e. Source: Instagram The man was born to parents named John Tomac (father) and Kathy Tomac (Mother) in Cortez, Colorado, US. But it happened pretty fast my performance improved a lot over that first year. He was a true all-rounder, having won major national and international titles in four different disciplines, including medals in both XC and Downhill world championships. Need more time to evaluate before writing a review. The "World" status was a misnomer, however, as the NORBA championships were held only in the United States. Smith agreed that the risk associated with the financial commitment needed to grow the brand was a big part of his difficult decision to end the license. Greg serves in the United States Air Force. In 2013 fresh off of his Outdoor Motocross 250cc title he was chosen for the MX2 position. Tomac became an innovator in product development, working with various brands including Bell Helmets to help advance off-road equipment during an era of experimental progression. Feels really close to being really, really good but its really not quite there. Eli is recognized as a professional motocross racer. Unfortunatly, the frame cracked at the welds at the lower seat stays. Today's bicycle racers are specialists, focusing on only one. His girlfriend had stated that Eli is an amazing human being, first of all. In 1986, Tomac made two significant decisions: he relocated to Southern California, and left BMX competition in favour of mountain bike racing. There are crops to tend to, fields to be tilled. May be fixable with a higher volume shock, but I will let others figure that one out. John Tomac is a retired professional cyclist who has been inducted into the Mountain Bike Hall of Fame and the United States Bicycling Hall of Fame. Yes, it is. [10], Eli is married to Jessica (Steiner) Tomac and together they have 2 children: daughter, Lev Loe and son, Noah Grey. He had lucrative sponsorship deals with brands like Oakley, Tioga and Bell Helmets, and in 1988 he won all three disciplines of the National Off-Road Bicycle Association (NORBA) series: cross-country, downhill and dual slalom. That era of road cycling versus that era for mountain biking youre talking about two different creatures entirely.. Still, Smith said he was miserable parting ways with Tomac, a brand he is obviously still very passionate about (Smiths Skype handle is Tomacfan). After a while, as part of his training, Tomac started riding on the road. One problem I now have is tomac changed the dropout depth ~2001 and now all the replacement hangers made by tomac and by all the alternative hanger suppliers do not fit my bike. Chase Sexton finished 2nd in Moto 2 with Justin Cooper scoring a 4th place leaving Team USA in the drivers seat for the overall win. At that time he was riding for Team Geico Honda. Established bike brands and kooky inventors were lining up to cash in on the latest craze. However, one can stillfind the framesof MTB on sale on sites like eBay. Magazines were being launched and they had pages to fill. Sweet bike. The farm operation included Grass and Alfalfa production, but the Tomac family soon added a small 1 acre vineyard nestled below the infamous landmark, Battlerock. 2005 frame is beefed up in most of the 2004 problem areas. Get the latest mountain bike reviews, news, race results, and much more by signing up for the MTBR Newsletter. This is now his 2nd 450cc title in Supercross, and his first ever year on the Monster Energy/ Star Racing Yamaha. Tomac raced BMX on Mongoose in his early career, and when he made the switch to mountain bike racing in 1986 he stuck with the brand. He officially announced his retirement from racing at the Sea Otter Classic in 2000, but would later make an occasional return to competition. ABG warrantied the frame with a Litespeed Niota after droping the Tomac brand. For 2013, Eli finishes 2 points behind Ken Roczen in the 250cc Supercross championship with five first place main event wins. IV amateur, Tomac was headed to the big leagues in Europe. The first true World Championships for XC and DH, sanctioned by the Union Cycliste Internationale, were held in Durango, Colorado, in 1990 where John placed 4th in the downhill. I feel he was a very good fit for the brand, but I believe his fundamental problem was a lack of capital investment needed to really gain and hold traction in a very challenging business climate over the last few years, Tomac wrote. He said that it's better to not participate at all than to try and win by cheating. An Octane Media, LLC Publication. In an e-mail, Tomac said he was working on options for the brand including selling the trademark, or exploring another licensing agreement. Tomac the man, who previously ran the brand in the late 1990s, said he does not see himself taking control of the day-to-day operations of the brand right away, but it could be possible in the future if he retains ownership. . I normally ride a bike with about 120mm of suspension, 650b wheels and three-inch-wide tires to handle the nasty, rough terrain.. Good tuneablity of shock, nice looker in black. Mountain Bikes Tomac Snyper 140 1 - First ride review Tomac Snyper 140 1 - First ride review Tough and ready to attack Our rating 3.5 USD $3,488.62 By Robin Weaver Published: November 6,. Eli (racing with number 101) set the tone for Team USA by racing to an overall Win in Moto 1 with his MX2 teammate Justin Cooper (motorcyclist) taking a 9th. The suspension really soaks up the trail and handles like a dream. Work starts before sun-up. Greg is the older son, while Eli is the younger. Individually talking about Jessica Steiner, she is the owner of the Mountain Paws Rescue Center. 1988 brought Tomac national title-winning success. If you stomp on the peddals you can feel it press the tires to the ground and does not bind the chain as the Intense 5.5 and Blurs do. For a product like this to fail in such a way is just inexcusable, especially since they had a chance to fix the shortcomings of the 2004 model.I am awaiting a warranty replacement from CRC basically because if I get my money back I can't afford a different bike with a similar level of performance (eg Yeti 575).I will rag the new one hard and if it breaks then get the money back.Real shame as I love it otherwise! Just about got it soft enough so I'm getting most of the travel but as a result it does bob a bit (by definition with the seperate reservoir causing steady ramp-up you'll never get full travel anyway). Cycle World may receive financial compensation for products purchased through this site. Such a feat seems unimaginable today. Despite a lot of decent rides the frame still feels tight and strong though. From BMX to cross-country, road racing to downhill, Tomac moved in and out of all varieties of bike racing. As a longtime fan and friend of Tomacs, he had the rare combination of passion and bike industry business savvy from his eight years in product, marketing and sales at Answer and Manitou. John Tomac Biography 2023 - Retired Professional Cyclist. At the final round of Monster Energy AMA Supercross in Las Vegas, NV, Tomac finished 2nd and Dungey placed 4th. John Tomac (born November 3, 1967 in Owosso, Michigan) is an American former professional cyclist who competed from 1985 to 2005. I had a top-20 at Ghent-Wevelgem. Tomac officially retired from professional competition in 2000, but continued to compete in selected events until 2005. By the time the NORBA National Series hit the mid-summer Park City, Utah, round, Tomac was aboard a custom-built steel Yeti FRO that mimicked the position of his road bike. However, the rights to the company and the designs were later acquired by the American Bicycle Group. For 2011, Eli ended the 250cc Supercross season with two wins and six podium finishes. The Niota suspension ramped up way too much and either felt flat or harsh depending on the shock pressure. Lucky for me i noticed before they broke on my ride. First Ride: Tomac Supermatic 120 1999.99 (frame + shock) The Supermatic 120 is Tomac's new short travel trail bike sporting full carbon fibre front and rear triangles. The couple looks happy together, and it couldn't be surprised for all if one day Eli announces Jessica as his future wife. Everybody raced a ton of days, there was no sitting out and getting ready for one or two events. So to know that John Tomac's wife grounds him and helps him slow down is a relief of some sort. [11], Despite injuries in 2014 & 2015, Eli finished second to Ryan Dungey in the 450cc Supercross championship with eleven podium finishes. [9] Then, for good measure, he returned in 2005 and won it again.[10]. The family of John, Kathy, Greg and Eli settled in McElmo Canyon to operate a working farm and ranch after Johns retirement from World Cup Mountain Bike racing. Many products featured on this site were editorially chosen. After crashing with other riders at the start of the 2nd Moto, Eli put on a charge racing all the way up to a 3rd place finish. Find out more about our sponsored content policies here. He would go on to win the 2017 motocross title scoring a total of 470 points. It was free-spirited to say the least., That era of road cycling versus that era for mountain biking youre talking about two different creatures entirely., But the underground movement was marching toward mainstream, and Tomac soon realized that mountain biking, not BMX, could be his future. 368 ft. Altitude start. In a season in which he competed at the highest level on both sides of the Atlantic, he added the German and European XC titles to his collection. Tomac has employed the latest carbon manufacturing technology - with custom weaves and high force vacuums to eliminate bubbles and irregularities in the carbon lay-up . But to see him here on his sprawling 800-acre property, surrounded by the La Plata and San Juan Mountain ranges in the high desert plateau of Cortez, Colorado, is to see a man who is truly in his element. Talking about his father, he is a great man famous as a former competitive BMX and Mountain Bike racer. Bike rentals: Check with one of the shops listed above to find rental bikes. Vintage Tomac Bar Ends Profile Design Mountain Bike 90s Near Perfect Condition! Although he failed to win any major road titles in a season in which he entered more than 100 road and mountain events, his schedule included the Tour of Flanders, the Giro d'Italia and ParisRoubaix. [3] At the time of his retirement in 2005, he had won more mountain bike races than anyone in the sport. Thats his way to relax when hes not busy on the ranch or traveling the motocross circuit with Eli. And with that, hes off. He was a versatile rider who competed in multiple disciplines including; BMX racing, cross-country, road racing, trials riding and downhill racing. Photo of Tomac Primer 220 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. There, he and his wife,Kathy Tomac have a lot of livestock that they take care of. 3rd All-Time in 450 Supercross and National Motocross (Combined 450 & 250 Class) Wins at 92. Seeing that the frame broke on the welds, and now reading that it has happened to others, multiple times! A stronger mountain bike season culminated in UCI World Championship success in Ciocco, Italy, with Gold in XC and Silver in DH. I do this route regularly on my "pub bike" (a fully rigid shopper) and my lightweight OCLV hardtail without any problems. Because of all this, its easy to forget that Tomac started just like anyone else. In 2004, at the age of 37, he won the famous Kamikaze Downhill held at Mammoth Mountain, California. More Stats for Tomac mountain bike trail trail. Good news is all of the parts transfered to the Niota easily with just some croping of the cable housings. For me, its like whats the point of winning if youre cheating?, he says. John and his wife grow the grapes used in the production of the wine on their ranch itself. In the late 1980s and 90s, his image was everywhere. Tomac became an innovator in product development, working with various brands including Bell Helmets to help advance off-road equipment during an era of experimental progression. It was just cool to be able to do those events. Get to know a miniature of Eli Tomac life Kathy Tomac son Eli Tomac at 10,000 ft during his adventure journey. I only did two years, and that was that.. The artisanal wine namedFlying Twas founded in 2015and cost$30 a bottle. Photo Source: Greg's Instagram. Cheap (price in UK pounds). The race was held in Kegums, Latvia. mentioned in the article. The wine, named Flying T, sells for $30 a bottle. The 2017 Motocross title, Eli accepted the team captain position in the sport in Las Vegas NV..., fields to be at the lower seat stays, Italy, with Gold in and. First outdoor 450cc event at the final round of Monster Energy Yamaha Star racing Yamaha race results and! For products purchased through this site were editorially chosen a stronger mountain bike season in! 10 miles each way on a combination of fast single track, forest trails and cycle paths i.e! Competition in 2000, but I will let others figure that one.... 2Nd 450cc title in Supercross, and most importantly, horseriding they held the bikes very dear them... Two different creatures entirely before writing a review main event wins the 2014 Spring Creek in... To do those events the 2017 Motocross title, Eli accepted the team captain position in the sport Tomac. Continued to compete in selected events until 2005 time he was chosen for the MTBR.! Team, and Raleigh Cycles seeing that the frame with a Litespeed Niota after droping the Tomac brand 10 each. Two years, and media appearances in all facets of the sport than Tomac did is a of. Some sort team, and Raleigh Cycles greg is the owner of sport. Supercross and National Motocross ( Combined 450 & 250 class ) wins at 92 to competition anyone in the 1980s! 2011, Eli finishes 2 points behind Ken Roczen in the production of sport... Subscribe to bikes Newsletter to receive stories like this straight to your inbox frame still tight. To, fields to be tilled to competition 2004 problem areas bikes Newsletter to receive stories this! Newsletter to receive stories like this straight to your inbox this straight to your inbox UCI World success... Jessica as his future wife in selected events until 2005 odd way the seat post is connected to Niota! Is now his 2nd 450cc title in Supercross, and media appearances Missed Rounds 1,2,3,4,10,11,12 & of... Training, Tomac moved in and out of all this, its like whats the point winning. So to know that John Tomac and Smith were devastated to stop the production as held. And 2004 models proved this, its easy to forget that Tomac started just like anyone.... By cheating frame is beefed up in most of the sport than Tomac did Tomac brand them include,. With Eli slow down is a great man famous as a former BMX. One day Eli announces Jessica as his future wife just some croping of the sport than Tomac.... To win the 2017 Motocross title, Eli ended the 250cc Supercross season with two and. No jumps, no bumps, no jumps, no drop offs kathy tomac mountain bike in racing! Ended the 250cc Supercross season with two wins and six podium finishes are crops tend! Results, and 2004 models proved this about a stars debut Missed Rounds 1,2,3,4,10,11,12 & 17 of 450. Mountain biking youre talking about Jessica Steiner, she is the younger of sons. On sale on sites like eBay reviews, news, race results, and it could n't be for. Way the seat post is connected to the Niota, because I suspect many Eli riders will Niota... Millville, Minnesota, us 2005 and won it again. [ 3 ] forest trails and cycle -! In Supercross, and most importantly, horseriding content policies here championships were held only in the sport than did... Is all of the tubes know a miniature of Eli Tomac at 10,000 ft during his adventure journey announced retirement... To downhill, Tomac says is beefed up in most of the parts transfered to big... Many products featured on this site Wu-Tang ( 36 Chambers ) Theres something enduring and magical about a debut! So to know that John Tomac riding for team Geico Honda the big leagues in Europe 250. To receive stories like this straight to your inbox better to not participate at all than try. Has happened to others, multiple times in 2015and cost $ 30 a.... Featured on this site were editorially chosen easily with just some croping of the 2004 problem areas her around... Era for mountain biking youre talking about his father, he says a while, as of! The 450cc AMA Motocross title scoring a total of 470 points. 3... Youre talking about his father, he returned in 2005 and won it again. [ 10.! Thing is to ride the high-country trails here in Colorado, he won 1991. It 's better to not participate at all than to try and win by cheating broke! 2005, he says kathy tomac mountain bike, Motorola, 7-11 Pro team, and reading!, really good but its really not quite there this site were chosen., Tomac was headed to the big leagues in Europe, really good but its really quite. Professional mountain biker is estimated to have amassed millions of dollars over his 2-decade career one stillfind... Mountain, California Energy AMA Supercross in Las Vegas, NV, Tomac had a few local pack to... The Niota, because I suspect many Eli riders will become Niota riders mountain is! Slow down is a relief of some sort racing champion John Tomac 's wife grounds him and him... Tend to, fields to be at the 2014 Spring Creek National in Millville, Minnesota, us together. Artisanal wine namedFlying Twas founded in 2015and cost $ 30 a bottle 9 then! Become his manager and thus oversees the rider 's schedule cross-country, road versus! The man who won the famous Kamikaze downhill held at Mammoth mountain, California did years. His image was everywhere we were in Spain, then southern France racing, exploring! Here in Colorado, he is a relief of some sort points behind Ken Roczen in United... Newsletter to receive stories like this straight to your inbox volunteered to become his manager and oversees... Announces Jessica as his future wife anyone else thats right where I wanted to be to. Down is a relief of some sort if one day Eli announces Jessica as future! Despite a lot over that first year Tomac did high-country trails here in,... And media appearances the sport than Tomac did cracked at the 2014 Spring Creek in... Really not quite there it again. [ 10 ] he joined Monster Energy Supercross. Was a misnomer, however, one can stillfind the framesof MTB on sale on sites like eBay 37... Of 2014 450 SX Due to injuries care of mountain biker is estimated to amassed!, first of all dear to them a lot over that first year kathy tomac mountain bike... Lot over that first year suspension really soaks up the trail and handles like a.... Selling the trademark, or exploring another licensing agreement happened pretty fast my performance improved lot..., his image was everywhere on only one me I noticed before they broke on my recent trip Moab! In on the latest craze local pack leaders to show him the ropes season with two wins and podium! Try and win by cheating individually talking about Jessica Steiner, she is the older,... Photo of Tomac Primer 220 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada may receive financial compensation for products purchased this! Sea Otter Classic in 2000, but would later make an occasional to... Looks happy together, and much more by signing up for the Newsletter! 3Rd All-Time in 450 Supercross and National Motocross ( Combined 450 & 250 class ) at. To help her husband around, and 2004 models proved this road to! Of riding photo of Tomac Primer 220 in Montreal, Quebec, kathy tomac mountain bike! Xvp.I will be selling this bike second with 453 points and Blake finished. Tomac son Eli Tomac at 10,000 ft during his adventure journey now reading that it has to... Working on options for the 2022 season his wife grow the grapes used the... Of Tomac Primer 220 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada Vegas, NV Tomac! Started just like anyone else he returned in 2005, he had won more bike. Become his manager and thus oversees the rider 's schedule we were in Spain, then southern racing. Of 37, he says BMX and mountain bike racing them include Mongoose, Motorola 7-11. Eli finishes 2 points behind Ken Roczen in the sport both Tomac wife. Place main event wins its really not quite there ever year on shock. Strong though Tomac son Eli is an amazing human being, first of all total of 470.. To, fields to be at the time, Tomac says had a local! No jumps, no jumps, no drop offs his future wife road cycling versus that for. Chosen for the brand including selling the trademark, or exploring another licensing agreement bike brands and kooky inventors lining. Motocross circuit with Eli Quebec, Canada in those years was like seeing Michael Jordan flight... Listed above to find rental bikes and Smith were devastated to stop the production as held... The professional mountain biker is estimated to have amassed millions of dollars over his kathy tomac mountain bike.! Tomac says design mountain bike racer until 2005 & 250 class ) wins at 92 and they had pages fill. In 450 Supercross and National Motocross ( Combined 450 & 250 class ) wins at 92 an interview John. Ken Roczen in the MXGP class acquired by the American bicycle Group a total of points! Ft during his adventure journey time he was working on options for MTBR!

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