Jett Lawrence to Eli Tomac on Thrilling San Diego Supercross: ” Eli’s Lines Were Better, He Was Riding Unreal but i…”
Honda HRC’s Jett Lawrence is no stranger to high-pressure situations, but his performance at round two of the 2025 Monster Energy AMA Supercross in San Diego was something to behold. After a tough start to the season, the Australian sensation showed his resilience with an impressive second-place finish, locking horns with none other than Eli Tomac in a thrilling, back-and-forth battle.
In a candid post-race interview with Vital MX’s Lewis Phillips, Lawrence didn’t hold back as he discussed his duel with the veteran Tomac, the adjustments made to his bike set-up, and what he learned from the race.
“Eli’s Lines Were Better, He Was Riding Unreal”
It’s not every day that Jett Lawrence, who is renowned for his blistering pace and confidence, openly praises his competitors, but his admiration for Eli Tomac’s riding at San Diego was clear. When asked about their on-track battle, Lawrence had nothing but respect for Tomac’s performance, calling it “unreal.”
“Eli’s lines were better,” Lawrence admitted, acknowledging that Tomac’s ability to pick the ideal lines through the track gave him an edge during the race. “He was riding unreal. It was a tough one to chase because he’s so solid in those spots.”
Despite Lawrence’s relentless efforts to keep pace, Tomac’s consistency, and his ability to maximize the track’s features, proved to be a decisive factor. Lawrence’s respect for Tomac’s experience shone through, especially as the two exchanged positions during an intense race for the lead.
Battling Through the Field
Lawrence’s second-place finish wasn’t handed to him. After starting from a less-than-ideal position, the reigning 450SX champion had to work his way through a competitive 
“I had to keep digging, keep trying to improve my lines and make up time,” Lawrence reflected. “I was feeling good, but Eli was just a step ahead today. I learned a lot, though.”
Despite his second-place result, Lawrence seemed content with the fight he put up, acknowledging that the battle with Tomac was a key learning experience in his season’s development. “Sometimes, you have to accept that someone is just faster on the day and learn from it. I’m not discouraged by the result—I’m focused on getting better and pushing forward.”
Bike Setup Improvements
One of the most fascinating aspects of Lawrence’s performance at San Diego was the improvements made to his bike setup between rounds. The Honda HRC team worked tirelessly to dial in the machine after the season opener, and Lawrence was quick to point out how critical those changes were in helping him feel more comfortable on the track.
“We made a lot of changes between Anaheim and San Diego,” he explained. “The bike was way better for me. I felt like I could push harder, and that made a huge difference. The team did a great job with the setup.”
Lawrence also mentioned a few specific adjustments, including changes to suspension and the overall feel of the bike, which he believes helped him manage the technical sections of the San Diego track more effectively. These tweaks allowed him to stay competitive against Tomac and the other riders, especially when the track began to break down later in the race.
Looking Ahead to the Season
While the San Diego round showed that Lawrence is fully capable of challenging for the championship this year, he’s not resting on his laurels. The 2025 Supercross season is long, and every round presents new opportunities for growth. For Lawrence, each race is a stepping stone toward refining his skills, fine-tuning his bike, and staying competitive with the likes of Tomac, Cooper Webb, and others.
“I’m excited for the rest of the season,” he said. “San Diego was a great race, and we made some solid progress. But there’s a lot of work to do to get better. I’m looking forward to seeing where we can go from here.”
As for the battle with Tomac, Lawrence is determined to continue pushing, learning from every race, and taking those lessons into the next round of the championship. The 2025 season is shaping up to be one of the most exciting in recent memory—and with Lawrence in the mix, fans can expect more thrilling duels at every turn.
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