NBC Sport: Jett Lawrence on racing Eli Tomac: ‘ he seems beatable this season It’s not exactly like the same beast he used to be but…’

 

After weeks of anticipation, the highly awaited clash between Jett Lawrence and Eli Tomac unfolded during Round 6 of the Supercross series in Glendale, Arizona. Both riders aimed for a podium finish, but it was Lawrence who ultimately claimed victory, finishing just ahead of Tomac.

The Race Dynamics

The main event began with both riders experiencing modest starts. Tomac crossed the line in fifth place at the end of the first lap, while Lawrence lagged behind in ninth. However, the race quickly shifted gears as Tomac surged into contention. By Lap 2, he passed Vince Friese and was elevated to third after Aaron Plessinger’s crash, holding that position for the next 12 laps.

Meanwhile, Lawrence faced his share of challenges early on. On Lap 5, he landed short while attempting to pass Cooper Webb, nearly losing control of his bike

. Despite this setback, the No. 18 Honda rider maintained his speed. By the halfway point, he found himself nearly five seconds behind Tomac and 12 seconds off the lead held by Ken Roczen.

The Chase and Tactical Evaluation

As the race progressed, Lawrence steadily closed the gap on Tomac, using the following five laps to analyze his rival’s riding style. In the post-race conference, Lawrence noted, “It was kind of learning how he flows and learning where the kink in the armor could be. It was cool to follow him.”

Both riders executed the track’s technical sections with precision—doubling and tripling where necessary. However, Lawrence’s quicker recovery upon landing gave him the edge, allowing him to surge ahead in a rhythm section. He remarked on Tomac’s experience, saying, “Obviously these days it’s not exactly like the same beast he used to be, but it’s still Eli Tomac… I was looking forward to a battle, but I was able to get on the inside of him a little bit and still leave a bit of room and put my head down and click the laps off.”

Season Context and Future Rivalry

Leading up to Glendale, Lawrence’s performance had been a mix of highs and lows. He consistently podiumed in the even-numbered events but struggled in the odd-numbered races, including a ninth-place finish in the muddy San Francisco race. Despite these inconsistencies, his strong run in Glendale allowed him to seize the red plate as the championship leader, holding a narrow six-point lead over Chase Sexton.

For Tomac, the race was a step away from the podium but kept him in contention overall. His fifth-place finish, while disappointing, continued a trend of competitive performances. It’s clear that even if he is not the dominant force he once was, his experience remains invaluable on the track.

The rivalry between Lawrence and Tomac is far from resolved. With Tomac’s previous injuries in mind and Lawrence’s rising star, fans can expect a thrilling season ahead. As both riders adjust and learn from each other, the battles will only become more intense, setting the stage for what could be one of the most captivating seasons in recent Supercross history.