June 22, 2019 | Florida National | Jacksonville, Fla.
Foothill Ranch, Calif. (June 23, 2019) – After a 22-year hiatus of the AMA Pro Motocross Championship in Florida, Round 5 returned to the “Sunshine State” at WW Ranch Motocross Park with Kawasaki landing on the podium in both classes as Monster Energy® Kawasaki rider Eli Tomac earned a hard-fought second place overall (7-1) and Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki rider Adam Cianciarulo captured third overall (5-3), in their respective classes.
As the 450MX class lined up for Moto 1, Tomac and teammate Joey Savatgy prepared to brave the blistering temperatures that combined with the humidity made it feel well over 100 degrees. As the gate dropped, Tomac was buried in the back but wasted no time making his way up through the field from 18th position. By Lap 3, Tomac was able to break into the top-10 and continued to push forward before time expired, ultimately reaching the finish line in seventh. Savatgy got off to a good start in seventh but as the race went on, he dropped a few positions due to increasing pain in his hands and the heat affecting his pace. He was able to power through the pain and finish 11th.
Moto 2 saw Tomac grab his first holeshot of the season, jumpstarting a perfect moto and a 4.1-second margin of victory as he grabbed the checkers for his fifth moto win of the season. Savatgy got off to another respectable start out the gate in sixth, but continued to have the same struggles as the first moto and had a hard time holding on, finishing 18th and going 11-18 for 13th overall.
Tomac leaves Florida with a six-point lead in the 450MX championship points standings as the series reaches its halfway point next weekend in Southwick, Massachusetts on Saturday, June 29th.
#3 Eli Tomac
2nd (7-1)
#17 Joey Savatgy
13th (11-18)
“I got totally buried off the start in Moto 1 and I was struggling with my pace; those are the two major factors that played a role in a seventh place finish but we were able to turn it around for Moto 2. I can’t remember the last time I holeshotted like that! I felt good and found my rhythm early on so I was able to put it all together and ride my own race. My entire Monster Energy Kawasaki team worked their tails off in this gnarly heat this weekend. I can’t thank them enough for all their efforts. We’re all excited to head to the Wick with the red plate.”
– Eli Tomac
“Today was a tough day, but we did what we could and got it done. I continue to get better and feel more comfortable on the bike. I’m still making adjustments and trying to play catch up from the time off from my injury. We’re headed in a good direction, I just need to be on the bike a little more and keep getting after it. I’m glad to get this one over with and looking forward to Southwick.”
– Joey Savatgy
