Breaking News: Eli Tomac talks Ironman, the SMX Playoffs, and the MXoN and lots more
Eli Tomac’s Remarkable Return: A Podium Finish at Ironman MX
Eli Tomac made a triumphant return to motocross racing a week ago at Budds Creek, quickly showcasing his prowess with a strong fourth-place finish in the first moto.
Despite a less impressive 11th-place result in the second moto, Tomac showed remarkable resilience at Ironman MX, securing a podium finish with a 4-3 performance across the day’s motos.
In a post-race interview, Tomac reflected on his second race back, expressing satisfaction with his progress. “It was nice to have two good motos, not just one,” 
Tomac’s podium finish is significant as it builds momentum heading into the SMX Playoffs. He emphasized the importance of getting back to race conditions, noting, “No matter how hard you train at home, you can’t simulate that first lap and those first few corners. It seemed pretty wild to me, that sprint speed, and I was like, ‘Okay, I need to up my game on the first lap.’ It’s good to get those gate drops in because SMX will be even more of a sprint.”
Regarding his potential involvement in the Motocross of Nations, Tomac clarified that his focus was more on acclimating himself to the racing scene. “If I would have been the number two guy, I’d have said sign me up. But AP [Aaron Plessinger] was the number two guy,” Tomac explained. “It was really about getting back into motocross knowing I’ll race in 2025 and just getting back into the swing of things.”
Tomac’s performance was notably improved from his previous outing, partly due to adjustments in his setup. “We made a fork change this weekend, and that helped a lot,” he noted. “I had the speed of the front group, was able to see them, and had good starts. It was just a better day.”
The track at Ironman MX, with its new start and technical woods section, posed its own challenges. Tomac found the woods section both intriguing and tricky, remarking, “It had a cool little flow to it, but it was a little sketchy. I almost washed out in there, and some guys were crashing. It’s a fun and technical track.”
Despite his podium finish, Tomac remains focused on improvement. “You always want to win, but you have to be realistic. These guys are finely tuned right now, and they’re in race mode,” he said. “I’m pretty satisfied with the day and this third place.”
Addressing the aftermath of his recent injury, Tomac acknowledged the need for more endurance and strength. “I need to build a little more endurance. My hands were destroyed today from not racing and not getting enough motos in. Little things like that,” he said. “I definitely need a bit more strength in my thumb too.”
Overall, Tomac’s return to competitive racing has been impressive, and his performance at Ironman MX indicates he is quickly finding his rhythm as he prepares for the upcoming challenges of the SMX Playoffs.
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