Eli & Jorge...What a Day!

Eli Tomac: “What a day – the whole day was good, other than the Main Event result! I was comfortable with my setup all day, so I’m just frustrated not only with the bad gate selection – I should have avoided the inside on the start – but also the crash. That bad start really put me in a tough spot from the get-go and I had my work cut out for me trying to make passes on such a slick, tight track. I lost a bunch of points today, but all I can do at this point is ride my best at the remaining rounds and let the chips fall where they may.”

Tomac then added on social media: “It’s been a tough month of racing. Really thought yesterday was going to be a turnaround, had an awesome qualifying and heat race and then all I did was make mistakes in the one that mattered.”

 

Also equipped with the KTM 450 SX-F FACTORY EDITION, Spanish standout Prado recorded the fifth-fastest combined qualifying time – highlighted by P3 in the opening session – before powering to the holeshot and a third-place finish in 450SX Heat 2.

The 25-year-old ran up front during the early stages of the Main Event, crossing the line in third on Lap 1, and was contending for a podium position through the first half of the race. An incident around the midway point unfortunately dropped him outside the top 10, as Prado would go on to claim 13th position.

Jorge Prado: “It was a frustrating Main Event in Nashville. I felt good all day, and I’m just upset with myself that I wasn’t able to execute the plan I had in my head for the race. I knew I had to push hard – push it to the limit every lap – if I wanted to be on the podium. I feel I had what it took to be on the podium tonight, so I’m disappointed. My bike was good all day and good enough to be up there, so it’s frustrating to know that one mistake cost me what could have been a great night. But the positive is I’m here to learn this year, and learning every week is what I’m doing. I will regroup, keep putting in the work this week, and be even better next weekend.”