Mountain Biking Icon John Tomac Honored as Grand Marshal of Thunder Valley Nationwide

The next press launch is from MX Sports activities Professional Racing:

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – MX Sports activities Professional Racing, Inc., along with occasion organizer David Clabaugh, has introduced that longtime Colorado resident, U.S. Bicycling Corridor of Famer, and Mountain Bike Corridor of Fame icon John Tomac will probably be honored as Grand Marshal of this weekend’s Toyota Thunder Valley Nationwide, the third race of the 2025 Professional Motocross Championship, sanctioned by AMA Professional Racing. On this function, Tomac will take part in a number of engagements on the occasion in celebration of a storied aggressive profession during which he grew to become the proverbial “G.O.A.T.” of mountain bike racing as a trailblazer for the game. Moreover, Tomac’s notoriety has carried over into the game of motocross as the daddy of lively legend Eli Tomac, a four-time Professional Motocross 450 Class Champion, whom John has mentored and educated all through Eli’s embellished profession. John additionally carries the excellence of being an AMA Beginner Nationwide Motocross Champion at Loretta Lynn’s, having captured the Vet B/C 30+ crown through the 2001 occasion.

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“With regards to off-road biking, you’d be laborious pressed to call somebody extra profitable and influential than John Tomac. His title is synonymous with the game and it’s a privilege to name him a Coloradoan after many years of residency,” stated Clabaugh, who himself revitalized the state’s motocross scene with the opening of Thunder Valley Motocross Park a quarter-century in the past. “His success as a racer speaks for itself, however what’s been extra spectacular is the affect he’s had on the game of motocross by guiding Eli to grow to be one of many best riders to ever line up on a beginning gate. John holds a really distinctive place within the historical past of a number of two-wheeled disciplines, and we wished to rejoice his legacy by honoring him as Grand Marshal of this 12 months’s occasion.”

Initially hailing from Owosso, Michigan, Tomac’s racing journey began in 1985 in BMX, the place he grew to become a champion for the primary time at 16 years previous. That triumph led to a contract with Mongoose Bicycles and a transfer to Southern California that finally altered the trajectory of Tomac’s profession. He gravitated in direction of mountain biking on the open mountain trails of the larger Los Angeles space and began competing in grassroots occasions that served the infancy of organized racing within the self-discipline. He rapidly ascended into the elite ranks after which put his skills to the check in street biking, the place he additionally excelled and earned a spot on the usA. Biking Nationwide Group and competed towards the world’s greatest in Europe within the World Cup, all whereas nonetheless competing full time in mountain biking. It was within the dust, nevertheless, the place Tomac cemented his icon standing by dominating every skillset – cross-country, downhill, and slalom – successful the Nationwide Off-Highway Bicycle Affiliation Championship in every collection through the 1988 season and a number of extra world championships and nationwide championships over the course of his profession, which resulted in 2005 with Tomac because the winningest mountain biker of all time. Due to his successes each on- and off-road, Tomac was thought of essentially the most well-rounded bicycle owner on the planet. A distinction many nonetheless attribute to him, 20 years after his retirement.

Tomac’s prowess on the bike additionally made him an innovator. He made the game safer by serving to advance the know-how behind gear alongside longtime companions Bell Helmets and Oakley, each of whom have prolonged their assist to Eli Tomac for the majority of his profession, and co-founded Tomac Bicycles, which produced high-end, technologically superior fashions up till 2013. Ultimately, Tomac and his household settled in Cortez, Colorado, within the southwest nook of the state, the place ranch life took priority. It’s right here the place John’s unprecedented profession got here to a detailed and Eli’s outstanding journey started and continues to this present day.

John Tomac excelled aboard a mountain bike, irrespective of the self-discipline, and earned “G.O.A.T.” standing for his well-rounded prowess and immense success.
Images Courtesy Mountain Bike Motion Journal

John Tomac’s pioneering legacy was enshrined in not one, however two Halls of Fame, first as an inductee into the Mountain Bike Corridor of Fame in 1991, adopted by an induction into america Bicycling Corridor of Fame in 2004.

The Toyota Thunder Valley Nationwide will function Spherical 19 of the SMX World Championship this Saturday, June 7, from Thunder Valley Motocross Park in Lakewood, Colorado.

Tickets at the moment are accessible for all rounds of the 2025 season and may be bought by visiting www.ProMotocross.com.

For details about the Professional Motocross Championship, sanctioned by AMA Professional Racing, please go to ProMotocross.com and remember to observe all the Professional Motocross social media channels for unique content material and extra info on the newest information:

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