Eli Tomac’s recent dip in form and health has become a central story in the 450SX title race after a string of subdued outings. At a recent press day Tomac said, “Physically I’m fine. I’m good,” while also acknowledging he’d been “a little bit under the weather” in Birmingham and was “just not great riding” in Detroit.

He finished third in Birmingham, fifth in Detroit and sixth in St. Louis; in St. Louis he was passed by Justin Cooper and Cooper Webb. Commentators described St. Louis as his third straight “off” outing following a strong earlier run and a midseason crash in Glendale, noting his riding looked subdued on the rough, rutted St. Louis layout and that he did not visibly fight back after those passes.

Despite those results, Tomac remains a four-time race winner this season and was arguably the fastest rider through the first nine rounds. Reports differ on his points status: one account said he retook the championship points lead, while KTM’s post-race release called St. Louis tougher, said the team “didn’t lose too many points” and said the team remained tied for the lead. The standings are tighter — Ken Roczen has won two in a row and closed a 31-point gap to six points — and Roczen and Hunter Lawrence have joined Tomac in a three-rider title fight with five races remaining. Tomac’s ability to regain the early-season form his team pointed to will be decisive in whether he can hold the red plate to the end of the championship.

Sources