Back in 2022, Eli Tomac was the man in AMA racing. He won both the AMA 450 supercross and motocross championships, and also won his first ever MXoN with Team USA, but the word retirement was on his lips often. Now, two years later, he might not be the same rider as that 2022 season, but no doubt, he is the most prized scalp when it comes to legacy.

"That is a huge unknown (retirement). 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."

Second to only Jeremy McGrath in AMA supercross victories, with 51 main event wins and is third in the all-time MX and SX wins, with 96 wins and is just two wins behind second placed man James Stewart, with Ricky Carmichael at the top with 150 wins.

Seven AMA titles in supercross and motocross and that places him fifth in the all-time list, with only Carmicheal, Ryan Villopoto, Jeremy McGrath and Ryan Dungey ahead of him. In motocross championships, his five titles (4 in 450 and 1 in 250), he is just third in the all-time list behind RC and Broc Glover (who has six). Yes, Eli Tomac is an all-time great.

After a successful off-season of racing around the globe, Eli Tomac is looking to keep the momentum rolling into 2025 as he begins his fourth season with the team and his final full season of racing the SMX World Championship. His debut with the bLU cRU in 2022 was a dream season, earning premier class titles in both Monster Energy AMA Supercross and Pro Motocross, as well as being the team captain of the victorious Team USA at Motocross of Nations.

"I am having more fun. I’m not sure if it was the weight of a supercross championship that put me under an insane amount of pressure. So, getting a supercross championship and then all of the 450 stuff, after that it's just like you know that this is a clock that is going to run out somewhat soon. Especially if you want to stay at a top level and not just cruise around. So, yeah, it's an appreciation of everything, enjoying riding, enjoying the team, the environment of everything. And just enjoying the ride. Enjoying racing and trying to get better, I guess."

Although he was sidelined with injuries following the penultimate round of the last two seasons of supercross, Tomac has amassed an impressive tally of wins during his tenure with the team - 15 in 450SX and 14 moto wins in 450MX - which not only bolsters his position as the winningest rider currently racing but continues to add to his legacy in the sport. Despite missing this year’s supercross season finale with a thumb injury, he finished fourth in the 450SX point standings with a win and a total of six podiums and was third overall in 450SMX despite being sidelined for 10 rounds.

Tomac filled in on short notice and led the charge as the captain for Team USA at this year’s Motocross of Nations in the UK, with the team coming just three points shy of victory. He then continued his successful outings overseas by taking top honors in WSX. Tomac heads into 2025 looking to add to his win tallies and combined total of eight championships across AMA Supercross and Pro Motocross. He sits runner-up on the all-time premier-class win list in AMA Supercross with 52 victories and is also the winningest rider at Daytona Supercross with seven victories at the iconic venue.

“I’m excited for 2025. For me the most important thing was to do my best to come in healthy, and as of now, I am a lot stronger than I was the year before. In 2024, I felt like I had a rushed preparation time, so I’ve done a lot of racing leading up to this point, and it should keep me sharp. To be sharp, coming into Anaheim is going to be very important. As usual, it’s going to be a very packed gate with a lot of guys that can win. I believe I am in a better position than the year before. I’ve had good results with the off-season racing and will try and continue that in the New Year.”

The man Tomac has to beat is without question the defending AMA supercross champion and himself an eight time AMA title winner, Jett Lawrence. Tomac knows that the Aussie has it all and will be keen to show the young kid, that he still had it. His respect for the HRC rider is known.

"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. I do (love racing still) 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. I still feel good on the motorcycle. I am going to give this one more full season of SMX. That’s what is in my head at the moment, that I can still be that guy, I can still be the top guy battling with Jett and Chase. There is no way I would have signed up for 2025 for just a farwell tour, I still feel like I can be there. I am not chasing a specific championship now, I am just chasing the chequered flag. For me I feel like I can be at a high level and still do this for another year, I am going to do the best I can to get this SMX champion in 2025."

The question is tough, in the final years of his career, can Eli Tomac return to his best form and put in a real challenge to the champion? Only time will tell, but young men are waiting for him and they are not going to hand him any favours in 2025. Can a legend give it one more shot and shock the World?

Accomplishments

4-time AMA Motocross 450 Champion (2022, 2019, 2018, 2017)

2-time 450 supercross Champion (2022, 2020)

1-time AMA Motocross Championships 250 Champion (2013)

2-time AMA Motocross Championships 450 Runner-Up (2021, 2016)

1-time MXoN Winner (Team USA - 2022)

32 career AMA Motocross Championship 450 Wins

51 career AMA Supercross Championship 450SX Wins

4th on the all-time 450 wins list

2nd on the all-time 450SX wins list

2nd on the all-time 250SX West wins list

2022 Best Athlete, Men’s Action Sports ESPY Award