Cooksey: Tomac and the Yips

GuyB
Profile picture for user GuyB
Posts
35722
Joined
7/10/2006
Location
Aliso Viejo, CA, USA
GuyB 2/26/2019 10:40am
2/26/2019 10:40am
blockhead17 wrote:
I have known dudes that legitimately rode better right after smoking weed.. not saying Eli should or any professional athlete should.. jus sayin
Let’s not go there.
3
kawirider819
Profile picture for user kawirider819
Posts
707
Joined
10/18/2006
Location
st petersburg, FL, USA
kawirider819 2/26/2019 10:41am
2/26/2019 10:41am Edited Date/Time 2/26/2019 10:50am
I agree to a certain extent. Maybe we just need to enjoy Eli for what he is, the guy who puts on the most exciting rides in the sport but has some mental lapses mixed in. He's about as close to JS7 as we can get.

If he wins some more titles, great. If not, sit back and enjoy his special rides. It's not often someone with his level of speed comes around.
12
jonboy688
Profile picture for user jonboy688
Posts
438
Joined
9/3/2015
Location
China Grove, NC, USA
jonboy688 2/26/2019 10:45am
2/26/2019 10:45am
jonboy688 wrote:
lol if i was Eli i would take the article as a jab, even though you tried your best to not act like it is/was a...
lol if i was Eli i would take the article as a jab, even though you tried your best to not act like it is/was a jab.... i thought the sx/mx media had to tread lightly around the big names???? i applaud the article and thought it was well written,but poorly chosen as i am sure Eli enjoys the peanut gallery diagnosing why he cant close on sx, or hold the red plate for more then a race during a sx season
Chris_Cooksey wrote:
I don’t try and being friends with these guys. I call what I see and it’s simply my opinion. I do take accountability for what I...
I don’t try and being friends with these guys. I call what I see and it’s simply my opinion. I do take accountability for what I say, I wouldn’t write anything I wouldn’t say directly to them or their team. I would hope they know my opinions are NOT mean spirited. Other professional sports welcome deep analysis, the more people talk the more people watch.

Teams don’t like speculative articles, but my response is if they don’t want speculation then offer more transparency. Tell us when your riders are hurt or what issues their bike are having, we always find out eventually. My two cents...
i get it and i am glad you have the attitude of you are here for giving you opinion and they dont have to like you.... i wish it was more open and the public knew more about all the stuff, small changes, bike setup, likes and dislikes with tracks and injuries.... i meant no disrespect towards you, i enjoyed the article and hope to see more of the like
westeast
Profile picture for user westeast
Posts
250
Joined
1/28/2017
Location
Bakersfield, CA, USA
westeast 2/26/2019 10:56am
2/26/2019 10:56am
kawirider819 wrote:
I agree to a certain extent. Maybe we just need to enjoy Eli for what he is, the guy who puts on the most exciting rides...
I agree to a certain extent. Maybe we just need to enjoy Eli for what he is, the guy who puts on the most exciting rides in the sport but has some mental lapses mixed in. He's about as close to JS7 as we can get.

If he wins some more titles, great. If not, sit back and enjoy his special rides. It's not often someone with his level of speed comes around.
Exactly. If Eli didn't get poor starts or tank a race here or there he'd be running away with all the championships and it would probably be pretty boring. Keep the excitement coming Eli!

The Shop

See All »
toroP
Profile picture for user toroP
Posts
4520
Joined
4/6/2009
Location
Cincinnati, OH, USA
toroP 2/26/2019 11:00am
2/26/2019 11:00am
Casting wrote:
Gotta say... as someone who conducts psych evals on a daily basis... some of you folks are funny.

Chris_Cooksey wrote:
As someone in the Psych field, what do you think of my theory? I am fascinated with brain function and psychology but my education is limited...
As someone in the Psych field, what do you think of my theory? I am fascinated with brain function and psychology but my education is limited to my own personal research and “bro science”.
I believe focal dystonia is neurological, not psychological like performance anxiety.
Premix
Profile picture for user Premix
Posts
1505
Joined
1/5/2014
Location
USA
Premix 2/26/2019 11:03am
2/26/2019 11:03am
Vital and journalist now self diagnosing Eli Tomac.

I’ll meet ya’ll at the flying pig races.
1
MohMoto14
Profile picture for user MohMoto14
Posts
275
Joined
1/31/2017
Location
USA
MohMoto14 2/26/2019 1:28pm
2/26/2019 1:28pm
blockhead17 wrote:
I have known dudes that legitimately rode better right after smoking weed.. not saying Eli should or any professional athlete should.. jus sayin
I have anxiety issues and if I smoked before a race in front of all those people I would probably have a panic attack In the tunnel that would probably end in a high speed police pursuit from me trying to escape. LoL
???
3
resetjet
Profile picture for user resetjet
Posts
2560
Joined
3/16/2012
Location
Tampa, FL, USA
resetjet 2/26/2019 1:38pm
2/26/2019 1:38pm
If tomac has the yips, so did james stewart. James’ was just different.
Falcon
Profile picture for user Falcon
Posts
12693
Joined
11/16/2011
Location
Menifee, CA, USA
Falcon 2/26/2019 2:32pm
2/26/2019 2:32pm
I have a better explanation for Eli's results: There are eleven riders on the gate who can and have beaten him under the right conditions.

Back in the '80s we wouldn't be asking ourselves why one rider didn't win all eight Supercrosses to start the season, or call it some sort of epic failure if he didn't podium every time.
2
Chris_Cooksey
Profile picture for user Chris_Cooksey
Posts
546
Joined
3/25/2012
Location
USA
Chris_Cooksey 2/26/2019 2:57pm
2/26/2019 2:57pm
Casting wrote:
Gotta say... as someone who conducts psych evals on a daily basis... some of you folks are funny.

Chris_Cooksey wrote:
As someone in the Psych field, what do you think of my theory? I am fascinated with brain function and psychology but my education is limited...
As someone in the Psych field, what do you think of my theory? I am fascinated with brain function and psychology but my education is limited to my own personal research and “bro science”.
toroP wrote:
I believe focal dystonia is neurological, not psychological like performance anxiety.
I got the terminology while researching big time athletes who have failed in big situations. I am not a Psychiatrist so terminology might be a little off.
Chris_Cooksey
Profile picture for user Chris_Cooksey
Posts
546
Joined
3/25/2012
Location
USA
Chris_Cooksey 2/26/2019 2:58pm
2/26/2019 2:58pm
Premix wrote:
Vital and journalist now self diagnosing Eli Tomac.

I’ll meet ya’ll at the flying pig races.
Haha, thanks for reading.
drt410
Profile picture for user drt410
Posts
2075
Joined
3/18/2017
Location
Boston, MA, USA
drt410 2/26/2019 5:32pm
2/26/2019 5:32pm Edited Date/Time 2/26/2019 5:33pm
He definitely rides better when coming from behind. I said it to my dad before this race, hes in a big points hole now watch him come out and ride his best race... and he did.

Remember when he was flawless race after race after race to finally catch and pass Dungey for the points lead? What happened next race? Gets out front, washes the front end, loses the points lead, has to take it to Vegas. Interestingly enough this was yet another case of not having any speed in remounting the bike again after his fall.

Same thing happened this season. He got the red plate, next race gets out to a lead, passed by Roczen, crashes, gets 12th. Webb passes Roczen in the last corner.

It seems for him to win sx he needs to be down by just enough points at Vegas where someone else has the red plate, but if he wins he wins the championship.
zehn
Profile picture for user zehn
Posts
7902
Joined
1/15/2013
Location
Anchorage, AK, USA
zehn 2/26/2019 5:34pm
2/26/2019 5:34pm
drt410 wrote:
He definitely rides better when coming from behind. I said it to my dad before this race, hes in a big points hole now watch him...
He definitely rides better when coming from behind. I said it to my dad before this race, hes in a big points hole now watch him come out and ride his best race... and he did.

Remember when he was flawless race after race after race to finally catch and pass Dungey for the points lead? What happened next race? Gets out front, washes the front end, loses the points lead, has to take it to Vegas. Interestingly enough this was yet another case of not having any speed in remounting the bike again after his fall.

Same thing happened this season. He got the red plate, next race gets out to a lead, passed by Roczen, crashes, gets 12th. Webb passes Roczen in the last corner.

It seems for him to win sx he needs to be down by just enough points at Vegas where someone else has the red plate, but if he wins he wins the championship.
So like 2 points. That's incredibly difficult to do
drt410
Profile picture for user drt410
Posts
2075
Joined
3/18/2017
Location
Boston, MA, USA
drt410 2/26/2019 5:37pm
2/26/2019 5:37pm
drt410 wrote:
He definitely rides better when coming from behind. I said it to my dad before this race, hes in a big points hole now watch him...
He definitely rides better when coming from behind. I said it to my dad before this race, hes in a big points hole now watch him come out and ride his best race... and he did.

Remember when he was flawless race after race after race to finally catch and pass Dungey for the points lead? What happened next race? Gets out front, washes the front end, loses the points lead, has to take it to Vegas. Interestingly enough this was yet another case of not having any speed in remounting the bike again after his fall.

Same thing happened this season. He got the red plate, next race gets out to a lead, passed by Roczen, crashes, gets 12th. Webb passes Roczen in the last corner.

It seems for him to win sx he needs to be down by just enough points at Vegas where someone else has the red plate, but if he wins he wins the championship.
zehn wrote:
So like 2 points. That's incredibly difficult to do
He has lost the last 2 championships where he should have won. Every time he gets the red plate he crashes, but without it usually dominates... besides this year but has still had dominating rides a couple times when not holding the red plate.
zehn
Profile picture for user zehn
Posts
7902
Joined
1/15/2013
Location
Anchorage, AK, USA
zehn 2/26/2019 5:39pm
2/26/2019 5:39pm
drt410 wrote:
He has lost the last 2 championships where he should have won. Every time he gets the red plate he crashes, but without it usually dominates...
He has lost the last 2 championships where he should have won. Every time he gets the red plate he crashes, but without it usually dominates... besides this year but has still had dominating rides a couple times when not holding the red plate.
I tend to agree with you. I've never seen another rider do the same thing so consistently with the red plate.
drt410
Profile picture for user drt410
Posts
2075
Joined
3/18/2017
Location
Boston, MA, USA
drt410 2/26/2019 5:50pm
2/26/2019 5:50pm Edited Date/Time 2/26/2019 5:53pm
drt410 wrote:
He has lost the last 2 championships where he should have won. Every time he gets the red plate he crashes, but without it usually dominates...
He has lost the last 2 championships where he should have won. Every time he gets the red plate he crashes, but without it usually dominates... besides this year but has still had dominating rides a couple times when not holding the red plate.
zehn wrote:
I tend to agree with you. I've never seen another rider do the same thing so consistently with the red plate.
I think its a pressure thing but the reverse of red plate pressure. Red plate pressure is just dont F up type of pressure. Down in points pressure is you HAVE to go out there and ride your best and win pressure. When he HAS to go win, he wins. When he doesnt he doesnt. I think he needs to just think its still life and death even with the red plate.

Its the type of pressure that Id get when I had a mega paper due in the morning where I could rip that shit out in 3 hours. Where red plate pressure is man Im on a roll doing all my papers at the right time, then completely screw that away, but I can still cram and rip one off quick (rip off a win to get points back) kinda..
BikeGuy321
Profile picture for user BikeGuy321
Posts
427
Joined
9/25/2018
Location
San Jose, CA, USA
BikeGuy321 2/26/2019 6:05pm
2/26/2019 6:05pm
I think it's impossible for most guys to stay super hungry/fearless for their whole career once they've made some good money and dealt with injuries. There are exceptions like Reed and VR46 in Moto GP who just love it so much they don't lose their drive. But look how RC, RV, RD retired on the early side after they had some good success. The top guys are multi millionaires out there risking life and limb, it doesn't surprise me that they just mail it in sometimes when they're not feeling it.

Pit Row

See All »
kiwifan
Profile picture for user kiwifan
Posts
9861
Joined
10/31/2009
Location
USA
kiwifan 2/26/2019 11:40pm
2/26/2019 11:40pm Edited Date/Time 2/27/2019 10:52am
Good read, my personal opinion is that ET is a little like Reed, if he isnt comfortable on the bike and with the track then he is sub par, and when he is comfortable....look out, he is very quick
2
fox1nz
Profile picture for user fox1nz
Posts
422
Joined
11/8/2015
Location
NZ
fox1nz 2/26/2019 11:57pm
2/26/2019 11:57pm
Probably the main reason JS7 had to take or chose to take Adderall. .
3
Crush
Profile picture for user Crush
Posts
21154
Joined
4/26/2009
Location
Sydney, AU
Crush 2/27/2019 12:51am
2/27/2019 12:51am
kiwifan wrote:
Good read, my personal opinion is that ET is a little like Reed, if he isnt comfortable on the bike and with the track then he...
Good read, my personal opinion is that ET is a little like Reed, if he isnt comfortable on the bike and with the track then he is sub par, and when he is comfortable....look out, he is very quick
Yep... and when he is comfortable it's a different thing to maybe anyone else we've seen except James.

Honestly, would anyone in their prime have beaten Eli at Hangtown or GH in 2015?
2
drt410
Profile picture for user drt410
Posts
2075
Joined
3/18/2017
Location
Boston, MA, USA
drt410 2/27/2019 5:58am
2/27/2019 5:58am Edited Date/Time 2/27/2019 5:59am
kiwifan wrote:
Good read, my personal opinion is that ET is a little like Reed, if he isnt comfortable on the bike and with the track then he...
Good read, my personal opinion is that ET is a little like Reed, if he isnt comfortable on the bike and with the track then he is sub par, and when he is comfortable....look out, he is very quick
Crush wrote:
Yep... and when he is comfortable it's a different thing to maybe anyone else we've seen except James. Honestly, would anyone in their prime have beaten...
Yep... and when he is comfortable it's a different thing to maybe anyone else we've seen except James.

Honestly, would anyone in their prime have beaten Eli at Hangtown or GH in 2015?
Absolutely not. Not sure if Hangtown was the first race, but nobody else has ever beaten Dungey by 1:15, meaning the rest of the field is also in the 1:20-30 and on... but he did. Weege also said thats the fastest hes seen someone ride and I have to agree. I dont think you can go faster tbh.
2
rehan53
Profile picture for user rehan53
Posts
269
Joined
5/3/2018
Location
Henrico, VA, USA
rehan53 2/27/2019 7:50am
2/27/2019 7:50am
Kawi15 wrote:
One thing I am convinced of is that smoking weed is not going to help anybody who is dealing with anxiety and mental disorders. Weed promotes...
One thing I am convinced of is that smoking weed is not going to help anybody who is dealing with anxiety and mental disorders. Weed promotes paranoia and schizophrenia. I am sure most all of the weed whacks will tell me that it helps a person to relax and focus, but I say that is BS.
It can make people paranoid when they're on it but the schizophrenia part is false. LSD can bring on schizophrenia in people who are predisposed to it, but not weed.

I use pot to manage anxiety and I agree with you that it doesn't fix it. It helps you more easily ignore your problems but not actually deal with them.
2
77Moto
Profile picture for user 77Moto
Posts
512
Joined
1/31/2019
Location
CA
77Moto 2/27/2019 8:51am
2/27/2019 8:51am Edited Date/Time 2/27/2019 8:56am
Instead, maybe all of a sudden he needed to take a dump. Surely that would put a cramp in your night.

mx 219
Profile picture for user mx 219
Posts
4048
Joined
8/15/2010
Location
South Central, PA, USA
mx 219 2/27/2019 8:58am
2/27/2019 8:58am
I think the most interesting part about last weekends race was despite the fact that he was obviously the fastest racer he STILL almost found a way to lose the overall. I will give Webb credit for improving as the night went on, but holy cow Eli you sure make things more dramatic than they need to be.
DPR250R
Profile picture for user DPR250R
Posts
2188
Joined
9/14/2006
Location
USA
DPR250R 2/27/2019 10:38am
2/27/2019 10:38am
drt410 wrote:
He has lost the last 2 championships where he should have won. Every time he gets the red plate he crashes, but without it usually dominates...
He has lost the last 2 championships where he should have won. Every time he gets the red plate he crashes, but without it usually dominates... besides this year but has still had dominating rides a couple times when not holding the red plate.
Are you saying the red plate is heavy?
DPR250R
Profile picture for user DPR250R
Posts
2188
Joined
9/14/2006
Location
USA
DPR250R 2/27/2019 10:41am
2/27/2019 10:41am
mx 219 wrote:
I think the most interesting part about last weekends race was despite the fact that he was obviously the fastest racer he STILL almost found a...
I think the most interesting part about last weekends race was despite the fact that he was obviously the fastest racer he STILL almost found a way to lose the overall. I will give Webb credit for improving as the night went on, but holy cow Eli you sure make things more dramatic than they need to be.
Fuckin a right. I was jumping outta my chair. And people were saying triple crown final main was boring.
1
Ranman68
Profile picture for user Ranman68
Posts
1142
Joined
1/31/2019
Location
Lubbock, TX, USA
Ranman68 2/27/2019 1:37pm
2/27/2019 1:37pm Edited Date/Time 2/27/2019 1:41pm
I think he's got a little ADHD going on. Also, he has a different kind of hard charging riding style that requires a very specific chassis/suspension set up to work. It's a very "attack the track" style where he doesn't take his feet off the pegs any more than he has to and no longer than he has to. It works great as long as bike is dialed. When bike isnt dialed for it, it won't stay planted. Most of his crashes are coming into turns or coming out of them with his feet on the pegs. The bike doesnt stay planted, and he has no leg down to catch himself and just hits the dirt. I really think that his style and charging so hard requires a lot more precise suspension set up. It takes longer to find that sweet spot, and when it's off he's mediocre. When they get it figured out and optimum for this style, he straight up rips like nobody I've ever seen. I've seen him be a night and day faster from one moto to the next in one event just from one suspension/chassis change.
I think those things are the all that's going on, and not some "yips" thing. He just rides in a way that's super aggressive and requires precise/specific suspension set up to allow him to ride to his potential. More so than most riders, and it takes more time to get right. 2019 bike is very different from 2018 model, and it just took a while. The set up may have been close and worked on the fast, super hard packed monster cup track, but not on these tighter, softer, busier sx tracks. This is just my theory based on what I see.
2
Hank_Thrill
Profile picture for user Hank_Thrill
Posts
4664
Joined
9/22/2008
Location
Arlen, TX, USA
Hank_Thrill 2/27/2019 3:15pm
2/27/2019 3:15pm
Bruce372 wrote:
I am surprised none of the vital MDs have prescribed Eli CBD oil for his anxiety yet.
CBD has very narrow scientific support for epilepsy. Everything else is mostly the placebo effect, antidotal, and pretty much a grand scale human experiment at this moment. This is not to say CBD oil will not be proven effective to treat other conditions years from now.

I mentioned this in another thread but I'd be willing to work with Eli free of charge. I'm licensed and professionally trained in clinical and sport related approaches for anxiety, among other things.
2
Brad Company 2/27/2019 4:16pm
2/27/2019 4:16pm
Bruce372 wrote:
I am surprised none of the vital MDs have prescribed Eli CBD oil for his anxiety yet.
Hank_Thrill wrote:
CBD has very narrow scientific support for epilepsy. Everything else is mostly the placebo effect, antidotal, and pretty much a grand scale human experiment at this...
CBD has very narrow scientific support for epilepsy. Everything else is mostly the placebo effect, antidotal, and pretty much a grand scale human experiment at this moment. This is not to say CBD oil will not be proven effective to treat other conditions years from now.

I mentioned this in another thread but I'd be willing to work with Eli free of charge. I'm licensed and professionally trained in clinical and sport related approaches for anxiety, among other things.
Would you wash his boots too, pro bono(r)?

Post a reply to: Cooksey: Tomac and the Yips