To fans that have followed pro motocross star Eli Tomac over the last decade, the 21-year-old's quick ascension to the top of his sport has hardly been surprising.
After all, Cortez's youngest superstar has always had a knack for speed.
Fresh off a 2013 season that saw him win the 2013 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship in the 250cc class, Tomac is currently preparing to kick off the 2014 season competing in the 450cc class.
Tomac will begin the year racing in Anaheim on Jan. 4 for the first round of the seventeen round AMA Supercross Series.
"(Moving to the 450) class is a pretty big step, but I'll try to make it as small as I can," said Tomac, discussing his upcoming season. "I've spent the past two months on the 450 full time, so that has been nice."
Among the many challenges that will confront Tomac in motocross's elite class, handling the bigger bike, competing against the sport's top talented and a demanding seventeen-race schedule will be the most daunting.
"The biggest challenge for us will be racing the 17 rounds of Supercross," said Tomac.
Even with the challenges however, Tomac remains confident in his ability to enjoy success against the sport's best.
"I would like to say that I could get a few wins," said Tomac. "The goal would be a few wins and as many podiums as I can get."
To accomplish those goals, Tomac will rely heavily on his GEICO-Honda team, as well as a level of fitness developed after months of hard work during the offseason.
"I ride mountain bikes and road bikes," said Tomac, a McElmo Canyon native. "I go to the gym."
Among Tomac's many races during the Supercross season, events in Phoenix (Jan. 12) and Salt Lack City (April 27) will be the closest to the Cortez area.
Thus, while it may be hard for local fans to watch Tomac in person, those interested in watching Tomac race can generally tune in to Supercross races on Fox Sports Networks.
With any luck, fans tuning in will have the opportunity to watch Cortez's most famous professional athlete serve his hometown proud.
