What Happened to Eli Tomac?

Eli Tomac, born November 14, 1992, embarked on his professional motocross and supercross career in 2010, quickly establishing himself as a formidable talent. His early years with Geico Honda saw him clinch the 2012 AMA Supercross 250cc West Championship and the 2013 AMA Motocross 250cc Championship. Transitioning to the premier 450cc class, Tomac secured his first 450cc Supercross win in 2015, but also faced a significant shoulder injury that year.

From 2016 to 2021, Tomac was a cornerstone of the Monster Energy Kawasaki factory racing team, where he achieved widespread dominance. During this period, he secured four AMA Pro Motocross 450 Class Championships (2017, 2018, 2019, 2022) and his first AMA 450cc Supercross Championship in 2020. His time with Kawasaki solidified his reputation as a fierce competitor, known for his late-race charges and consistent speed. However, 2021, his final year with Kawasaki, saw him struggle for consistency, finishing third in Supercross and second in Motocross.

A pivotal moment in Tomac's career came in 2022 when he joined Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing. This move revitalized his career, as he swept both the 450SX Supercross and 450MX Motocross Championships in his debut season with the team. He also captained Team USA to victory at the Motocross of Nations that year, earning an ESPY Award for Best Male Action Sports Athlete. The 2023 season, however, was cut short by a ruptured Achilles tendon, forcing him to miss the remainder of the Supercross season and the inaugural SuperMotocross playoffs.

Despite initial thoughts of retirement, Tomac re-signed with Yamaha for the 2025 season, initially stating it would be his final full year of racing. However, a broken left fibula sustained during qualifying at the Tampa Supercross in February 2025 again interrupted his season. By May 2025, Tomac confirmed he would continue racing beyond 2025, citing his injuries as having extended his ambition. This led to a significant team change, as he joined Red Bull KTM Factory Racing for the 2026 season, announced in November 2025.

The 2026 season saw Tomac continue to add to his legacy, notably extending his record for Daytona Supercross victories to eight. However, his Pro Motocross season was impacted by a neck injury sustained at the Fox Raceway National in June 2026, sidelining him for several rounds. On August 31, 2026, Eli Tomac officially announced his retirement from professional competition at the conclusion of the 2026 SMX World Championship post-season, bringing an end to a remarkable 17-season career. He leaves the sport as one of its most decorated athletes, ranking second all-time in 450SX wins with 57 and fourth all-time in 450MX wins with 32.