Original painting is 40×30cm oil on Canvas bonded to panel. Available direct from the studio, please get in touch if interested.
Prints are created by high resolution scans of the original painting and printed on the beautiful archival fine art paper, Hahnemule Photo Rag 310gsm.
John Tomac is a name that looms large in the history of mountain biking — a true pioneer whose fearless riding and all-around talent helped define the sport in its formative years. Born in Owosso, Michigan in 1967, Tomac began racing BMX as a teenager before transitioning into road cycling and eventually becoming one of the first true stars of professional mountain biking in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
What made Tomac exceptional wasn’t just his speed — it was his versatility. At a time when most riders specialized in one discipline, Tomac raced cross-country, downhill, dual slalom, and even road — often in the same weekend. He famously competed in the 1990 UCI Road World Championships for the U.S. national team while also dominating the NORBA mountain bike circuit. His ability to switch between slick tires and knobby ones made him a symbol of the sport's raw, hybrid beginnings.
Among his most iconic achievements are his 1991 UCI Downhill World Cup title, multiple NORBA National Championships, and a silver medal at the 1991 UCI XC World Championships. His aggressive style, flowing technique, and signature drop-bar mountain bike setups made him a fan favorite and a visual icon of early MTB culture.
Beyond the results, Tomac's influence helped shape mountain biking’s evolution from a fringe pastime into a global sport. He brought professional polish and cross-disciplinary credibility, inspiring a generation of riders to blur the lines between speed, skill, and style. Later, his legacy continued through his brand Tomac Bikes and through his son, Eli Tomac, a motocross and supercross champion in his own right.
From BMX tracks in Michigan to the wild descents of Mammoth Mountain, John Tomac didn’t just ride mountain bikes — he helped invent what it meant to be a mountain biker.
I hope this painting captures a bit of Tomac’s outright bossing of the bike and inspires you to shred in true JT style. The original oil painting is available. Prints are on Hahnemule photo rag artists paper. All profit from the sale of prints and the original will be donated to RideForCharlie
Original painting is 40×30cm oil on Canvas bonded to panel. Available direct from the studio, please get in touch if interested.
Prints are created by high resolution scans of the original painting and printed on the beautiful archival fine art paper, Hahnemule Photo Rag 310gsm.
John Tomac is a name that looms large in the history of mountain biking — a true pioneer whose fearless riding and all-around talent helped define the sport in its formative years. Born in Owosso, Michigan in 1967, Tomac began racing BMX as a teenager before transitioning into road cycling and eventually becoming one of the first true stars of professional mountain biking in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
What made Tomac exceptional wasn’t just his speed — it was his versatility. At a time when most riders specialized in one discipline, Tomac raced cross-country, downhill, dual slalom, and even road — often in the same weekend. He famously competed in the 1990 UCI Road World Championships for the U.S. national team while also dominating the NORBA mountain bike circuit. His ability to switch between slick tires and knobby ones made him a symbol of the sport's raw, hybrid beginnings.
Among his most iconic achievements are his 1991 UCI Downhill World Cup title, multiple NORBA National Championships, and a silver medal at the 1991 UCI XC World Championships. His aggressive style, flowing technique, and signature drop-bar mountain bike setups made him a fan favorite and a visual icon of early MTB culture.
Beyond the results, Tomac's influence helped shape mountain biking’s evolution from a fringe pastime into a global sport. He brought professional polish and cross-disciplinary credibility, inspiring a generation of riders to blur the lines between speed, skill, and style. Later, his legacy continued through his brand Tomac Bikes and through his son, Eli Tomac, a motocross and supercross champion in his own right.
From BMX tracks in Michigan to the wild descents of Mammoth Mountain, John Tomac didn’t just ride mountain bikes — he helped invent what it meant to be a mountain biker.
I hope this painting captures a bit of Tomac’s outright bossing of the bike and inspires you to shred in true JT style. The original oil painting is available. Prints are on Hahnemule photo rag artists paper. All profit from the sale of prints and the original will be donated to RideForCharlie
