Eli Tomac wins Anaheim 1 in a powerful display aboard his new KTM 450 SX-F, delivering a strong statement at the Monster Energy AMA Supercross opener on Saturday night. The victory quiets speculation about Tomac’s ability to remain a championship contender after injury and with a fresh team and motorcycle.
Answering Questions in His Second Career Anaheim 1 Win
On a night packed with anticipation, Tomac secured just his second career Anaheim 1 450SX main event win, dispelling doubts about age, recovery from injuries, and the transition to a new bike. Throughout the off-season, the narrative around Tomac questioned if he could still run up front and battle for championships given these hurdles and a fiercely competitive field.
By dominating in round one, Tomac addressed those concerns definitively, earning praise for not only his speed but his composure. The opening round can often produce unpredictable results, but Tomac made it clear he’s in for the long haul this season. He rode with the experienced approach of a veteran, turning a fresh page with KTM while racing against top rivals such as Ken Roczen and teammate Jorge Prado.
Tomac Reflects on Pressure and Team Changes
After the race, Tomac spoke openly about the pressure he felt heading into the event, addressing both the age conversation and the massive switch to KTM. He commented on shattering doubts through his performance and the weight that comes with a high-profile team change.
“Hey, it puts a lot of questions to rest for age and of course switching teams,”
Tomac stated, referencing the speculation that had surrounded him. —Eli Tomac, Rider
“Changing motorcycles, changing teams, that’s obviously the biggest thing you can do it our sport. Hey, we did it.”
—Eli Tomac, Rider
Preparation and Experience Pave the Way
For Tomac, the preseason was critical. He prepared by competing as a Wild Card in two FIM World Supercross Championship rounds, gaining valuable seat time without championship pressure. That experience, combined with extensive testing across multiple states—including California, Florida, Colorado, and Arizona—helped Tomac fine-tune his skills and KTM machinery for diverse conditions.
“You never know. You never know,”
Tomac remarked when reflecting on how pre-season races inform expectations. —Eli Tomac, Rider
“You just don’t know until you get out here and race everyone straight up. So, of course, we had two pre-season races there with WSX, had one good one, one bad one and you do have some questions. And we’ve been testing all over the place—California to Florida, Colorado, Arizona. So, been all over, kind of race all over, so we’ve put ourselves to the test finding [different] conditions. I knew we’d been near the front, but the win, you just don’t know ‘til we get out here and that main event gate drops.”
—Eli Tomac, Rider
“It’s a huge deal to race,”
Tomac added about the importance of actual event conditions compared to practice. —Eli Tomac, Rider
“We do these team scrimmages, but you still don’t know until you get a track that breaks down like that tonight. So, that’s where, racing you cannot replicate it basically, no matter what. We try to get as close as we can, we would do some team scrimmages races, but you don’t know until your adrenaline’s going and basically everything is on the line at that point and that’s where you really find out what works and what doesn’t.”
—Eli Tomac, Rider
Leading From the Start: Battle With Roczen and Teammates
Tomac grabbed the lead early with a decisive first-lap pass on Jorge Prado, maintaining his front position under pressure from Ken Roczen. Despite Roczen’s efforts, Tomac managed to keep a comfortable gap, maintaining focus and composure during the demanding 20-minute main event.
“Yeah, those races are tough, leading from basically the get-go,”
Tomac explained about the unique challenges of holding the lead for the entire main event. —Eli Tomac, Rider
“Of course, I had to make one pass there after the restart. But like focusing for those full 20 minutes, being in the lead the whole time, those are some of the toughest races. Even though it may look like there’s not much going on, it definitely becomes a mind game of focus and watching the guy behind you, marking where they are at—that being Kenny. And I felt like we were basically neck and neck… He wasn’t right on me, but he was keeping me very honest the whole time. So, like I said, wasn’t much going on to it but it was definitely a mind game.”
—Eli Tomac, Rider
Technical Adjustments Pay Off
Throughout the day, the Tomac-KTM team refined setups, making a key change to the suspension before the main event. Tomac described how this, along with a strategic switch away from his usual scoop tire, contributed to his success. Despite his consistent preference for the scoop tire in the past, adapting to the track conditions was pivotal for the main event win.
“Other than that, motorcycle was probably best it’s been all day and that was in the main event,”
Tomac shared. —Eli Tomac, Rider
“Made one small change between the heat race and the main and went the right direction, and, hey, this is the right way to start.”
—Eli Tomac, Rider
The setup tweak, primarily focused on the suspension’s fork and spring, allowed Tomac to optimize handling under the unique race conditions. Letting go of the scoop tire was another leap, signaling Tomac’s willingness to adapt for the sake of performance and long-term gains.
“The tire was the big thing,”
Tomac elaborated. —Eli Tomac, Rider
“One of the biggest changes for me. I’ve been very locked in with that scoop tire, for the most part, but sometimes you got to make changes to get better. And for me, that worked. But it’s also a combination of working on the bike as a whole.”
—Eli Tomac, Rider
Setting New Milestones on the All-Time Wins List
Tomac’s victory at Anaheim 1 was historic in multiple ways. It marked his first AMA Supercross main event win with KTM and their first SMX race triumph as a combination. He now stands alongside Chad Reed as only the second rider to score premier class supercross wins on four different brands. With this achievement, Tomac notched the 54th win of his 450SX career.
Already second on the all-time win list, Tomac continues to extend his margin over James Stewart. The result also means Tomac has notched wins in 12 consecutive seasons—a record streak—and cements his place among the sport’s legends. After this latest achievement, Tomac edges closer to the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame, with each success amplifying his already stellar résumé.
Defying Age: A Champion Still Chasing More
Tomac’s win makes him the second-oldest rider to secure victory in a premier class main event, with only Justin Brayton having achieved the feat at an older age in 2018. At 33 years, one month, and 27 days, Tomac continues to challenge younger competitors while breaking new ground for his generation of riders.
Reflecting on 12 straight seasons with at least one main event win, Tomac described his perspective on a career that has provided countless highlights, even as time passes quickly.
“And it’s kinda scary to think I have won [in] 12 seasons. All of a sudden, it is here. So, I’m still grateful to be able to still do it. My mind still feels good, I’m still into it. And physically, I’m well, so, yeah, here I am, still here. Yeah, 12 seasons, kinda crazy.”
—Eli Tomac, Rider
What Lies Ahead in the 450SX Championship
With a deep and competitive 450SX field featuring veterans and rising stars, Tomac’s Anaheim 1 triumph serves as both a reassurance for his supporters and a warning to the competition. Although the championship is just beginning and racers like Ken Roczen, Jorge Prado, and James Stewart remain threats, Tomac’s experience and adaptability make him a strong contender.
The road to the title is long, and Tomac will look to build momentum in the coming rounds as the 17-race season continues. The motocross community, long familiar with his resilience and thrilling performances, will watch closely to see if Tomac can convert this promising start into another championship campaign for the history books.
