ELI TOMAC INTERVIEW: “THE 2025 SEASON WILL BE MY FINAL SEASON, THERE IS NO DOUBT ABOUT IT”

It was huge news for motocross fans when Monster Energy Star Racing Yamaha rider returned to racing at the recent Budd’s Creek National. While Eli would finish seventh overall there, he finished a strong third overall at Ironman. Tomac was eager to simply return to racing, but also prepare for the upcoming SMX series, and determine if he was a good choice to represent Team USA in the upcoming Motocross of Nations. (later Eli would bow out of the MXON, citing Aaron Plessinger as a better choice to join Chase Sexton and the tbd 250 rider). It was at Ironman where we had a long, relaxing conversation about a wide range of topics.

BY JIM KIMBALL

ELI LET’S FIRST BEGIN WITH IRONMAN; YOU GOT ON THE PODIUM, ARE YOU HAPPY? Well, as a racer, you want to win. So, I’m not happy with third. But I can accept it as I’ve been away from racing for this long. I kept Chase Sexton and Aaron Plessinger in sight. And it was an improvement from Budd’s Creek.

Eli Tomac was able to grab a third overall in just his second race back from his thumb injury.

YOUR PRIMARY INTENTION WITH COMING BACK AT THE LAST TWO NATIONALS WAS TO PREPARE FOR SMX RIGHT? Yes, that is the intention of being here, but at the same time, I intended on racing this whole series of motocross, so I was just excited to get back to it.  I was close to being ready by Unadilla, but ended up giving myself another week of preparation. Then I went to Budd’s Creek and that was good to get those gate drops in before SMX. Those SuperMotocross races are our big-money races, and I am excited to race those, because I missed them the year before. So, all in all, this should help me be prepared.

AT BUDD’S CREEK YOU HAD A STRONG FIRST MOTO WITH A FOURTH, WHAT HAPPENED IN MOTO TWO? I just did not ride as well in moto two, and I got a worse start.  I made a few bike changes, and I was just not as comfortable, so I was just a little more reserved in my riding.  I was further back in the pack, and I honestly could not move forward the way I wanted to.  It was just more of a struggle in moto two – and that was that.

Eli is looking to gain strength back before the SMX finals as he missed them entirely last year.

HAS YOUR THUMB BOTHERED YOU OR WAS IT OK? Maybe a little bit.  My thumb is probably 90 percent right now from my previous strength.  I still have some more strength to build in. It is good enough and safe enough to hold on, but not where it used to be.  My expectations should not be right back to where they were before I had this injury, but as long as I stay healthy now, I will keep building and I keep getting stronger.  

IT HAS BEEN MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THE POWERS-TO-BE BEHIND THE MXdN TEAM WANTED TO SEE YOU RACE BEFORE MAKING THEIR FINAL SELECTION. WHAT IS YOUR STANCE ON THAT? If I could have performed better, yes, I would go race des Nations, but I did not show that in Budd’s Creek and you could see at Ironman that right now, Aaron Plessinger deserves that spot. He is third place in the outdoor series and the second American, so as of right now, I have not earned that. But I have been told that the reason they waited about choosing the team – to see how I did in Budd’s Creek and Ironman, the last two races.

One of the best riders to do it, it was no surprise to see Eli up front once again.

READING BETWEEN THE LINES, YOU TOLD THEM YOU WERE NOT THE BEST GUY FOR THE JOB? Yes, because honestly right now, I am not, and out of respect for Plessinger, I don’t really have the right to be in that spot. Unless I would have beaten Aaron soundly in both Ironman motos, then it is his spot.  In my opinion, I have no reason to be the second 450 guy on the team.  

WHAT HAVE YOU FOUND THAT YOU HAVE MISSED MOST SINCE NOT RACING ALL SIMMER? I guess it is the intensity, I noticed that I felt a little off at the beginning of the races, like the sprint speed.  That is something that you can never replicate at the practice track. For overall endurance, I still do pretty well.  I did not feel I was totally lacking there.  I just needed to work on the first laps and then not be buried on that start.  

YOU’VE HAD SOME ODD, POORLY-TIMED INJURIES THESE PAST TWO YEARS HAVEN’T YOU? They have been. (Laughing) I was really bummed out on that injury in Denver, and it has happened two years in a row.  It is my worst nightmare having two injuries that have required surgery and lengthy recoveries two years in a row.  It has been frustrating, and it has left me wanting at least one more full season under my belt, so that is why I signed up to go racing again in 2025.  

Eli Tomac says that without a doubt, that 2025  will be his last season of racing.

WILL 2025 BE YOUR LAST SEASON? The 2025 season will be my final season. There is no doubt about it at this point.  

WILL YOU CONSIDER RETURNING FOR ANY SPECIAL ONE-OFF RACES? As a racer, I am nervous about being half-committed to something, so maybe I would go do a couple more even after SsiuperMotocross, say like a Paris or a couple of World supercross rounds maybe something like that, but my plan as of now is to be done after 2025. It Is too tough, too dangerous and you must be all in, in my opinion with this sport. As I said, it is one of those things where you must be committed. If there is any doubt in your mind and you are half into it, you are for sure going to get beat. It is borderline dangerous because your mind is elsewhere.  

YOU MENTIONED WORLD SUPERCROSS (WSX).  YOU ARE RACING WSX THIS FALL RIGHT? Yes, we do get to ship our motorcycle from the U.S. so it will be my Star Yamaha motorcycle, but we are getting support from CDR Yamaha. In that series, it is required to be under a team, so I will have support from Craig Dack Racing (CDR) for all those races.

Moving forward Eli has a good chance to win the SMX finals.

I BELIEVE THE TERM “BREAST MODE” WAS COINED WITH YOU IN MIND.  WHO IS THE HEIR APPARENT TO ELI TOMAC IN BEAST MODE? Well, Chase has been doing a good job at it this year.  He has had some good comebacks, and he has been solid, so for motocross right now, it is Chase. Then, if we must go to the younger class in 250’s, it is Haiden.  He has a lot of grit and determination.

WHEN YOUR RACE CAREER IS OVER AT THE END OF 2025, WILL YOU SIMPLY STEP AWAY, OR TRY TO STAY INVOLVED TO SOME DEGREE? That is a huge unknown. I do know that I have lots going on at home right now and that is with three kids, so I will be busy at home.  I am not totally sure  if I will stay inside the industry right after I would be done racing.  I am not sure yet.

LET’S RETURN TO WSX, WHY ARE YOU RACING THE SERIES? There are multiple reasons why I am doing it.  It is get more races under my belt. I have had this whole summer off, and WSX is perfect timing for that.  In my opinion, it is going to sharpen me up for the 2025 Supercross series. And it is really cool to be able to travel the world. I get to see a couple of countries.  I have been to Australia when I was a small kid, but have not been there in my adult life.  I have not been to Abu Dhabi.  I am excited to see new places.

One thing is for sure, it is good to have the number three back at the races. 

YOU MENTIONED CHASE SEXTON EARLIER, WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON JETT LAWRENCE? He is very efficient, and his style fits the 450 very well. That is what I have noticed.  It is an effortless style, so it goes hand in hand with a 450.  As I said, he is very efficient, and that is something that he has brought to the table. He is managing that energy and still going fast. 

THERE HAS BEEN SOME SPECULATION THAT YOU MAY END YOUR CAREER BY DOING A SEASON IN WORLD MOTOCROSS, BUT THAT’S NOT HAPPENING IS IT? That is not in the cards.  It is not on my Bingo card to go race GP’s; nope.  

2025 APPEARS TO BE LOOKING LIKE A VERY COMPETITIVE AND STACKED 450 CLASS, WOULD YOU AGREE? I do and it is just great for the sport and fans.  You know we have such a competitive field right now and so many different characters and styles out there. Supercross and motocross are in a really good position right now.  

YOU ARE RELATIVELY QUIET, YET YOUR FAN BASE IS SO LOUD. WHAT IS IT LIKE TO HEAR ALL THAT CHEERING FOR YOU? One thing is for sure, there is nothing like it, to be inside that stadium and hearing and seeing everyone.  Especially now, that crowds are getting bigger, so you don’t want to take it for granted and you must enjoy the moment.