When Tomac returns…

He’ll be around the top 5. Hard to see a win. Maybe a podium. 

It’s hard to say how he’ll do especially when you consider that he’s never ridden this bike outdoors. It took them a few motos to dial in the old bike for him in 2022 and now he’ll be coming off an injury adding another hurdle. I honestly wouldn’t be surprised if he doesn’t make the podium in any of the motos.

8-12 OA, no way he gets a win or sniffs a podium. 

This is either a huge cast and you're trying to troll or you don't realize that what your saying that Eli is going be over a minute behind and close to being lapped? yeah that's a no....

Eli typically starts slow when figuring out a bike... even in 2022, he went 7-4 at round 1 because he wasn't able to properly test for outdoors due to a tweaked knee from SX. I remember him saying they botched the setup and his rear end was way too low, leading to bad arm pump. 

With that type of setup issue being possible, as well as the fact that he hasn't raced outdoors since MXdN 2022 and is coming back from an injury, I would be very surprised if he showed up at Budds and contended for the overall. I could see him figuring a couple of things out and coming back at Ironman contending for the win, but that would still be an uphill battle.

Still, Eli at his absolute worst will probably be a top 5-6 guy in this class. I just don't see him being a minute + off the pace, battling with guys like Craig or Nicoletti.

I forsee him running with Hunter. 

Good luck touching Chase at this point in the season. He's in the zone. 

we'll see. I stand by my prediction either way and I'll own it either way too. You guys are on crack if you think he's going to come off the couch from thumb surgery and starting waxing 2/3ds of the field on a bike he's never raced outdoors. Ain't no way. His best days are behind him, not in front.

He could beat Freddie literally without a thumb. 

You might be right, but it's still a valid question. AP has never been stronger and Eli has never been weaker.

It is a valid question, you are right. Sorry about coming in so hot.

5th OA first race back.

I'm sure his thumb will feel fine during practice and the opening moto. I'm more concerned about his thumb later in the day? If he's healthy he should be on the podium, it's frickin' Eli Tomac. If his thumb is bothering him, probably one good moto, one so-so moto. 

Cmotodad:   your beast mode is prob the same caliber as ET3's these days post 2 injuries...... Kitten Mode   

In 2021 MX Season, AP beat him the first 5 motos straight. Bested Tomac 7 times.

Why the dislikes, dude just came up with stats lol. 

haters gonna hate. i'll take tomac for a win before mx season is ova

Oops. Meant to put 32. Don't wake and Vital.

1-5

Top 5 and build from there.

Form is temporary, class is permanent and Tomac is a tremendous talent. 

Tomac super fan here....I say Top 10, just trying to get back in the swing of things and run the race pace.  No pressure for him.  Just looking to build and make sure all is good to go.  SMX is the goal, not MX.

Can we please have Tomac and Kenny race the whole season next year? Please? 

I can see Tomac getting great starts and pushing 10-15min maybe even in the lead, but to mail it in when he starts getting passed. When he realize on track he can't win, we know his attitude. Just log the laps. At that point I think he can end up just 5-8. He also doesn't have anything big to ride for to motivate him staying on Sextons wheel. If Tomac back it down 2-3sec a lap which isn't unrealistic, everyone else is there. 

Roczen has completely different attitude, even if passed he hangs in there. 

Sexton, Hunter, roczen, Anderson, AP, Cooper, Ferrandis will be hard to beat. Maybe Roczen also fades due to injury but he also a great starter so if he starts in front of Eli, he should end up in front. 

J.Coop will have Eli covered. When was the last time we seen Beast mode 2022? Sorry but Eli's speed has been trending in the wrong direction and its to be expected for his age / time as a pro.

Eli is why J.Coop will get re-signed.

There can be some pretty big swings with Eli when he's in "beast mode" and "having trouble finding his rhythm".  Even on the same bike and track.

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Methodically dialing in himself and his bike,  6 - 13 will be Eli's moto scores @ Budds.

They just hate me for no reason...its whatever. I'm not gonna get butthurt over it.

don't be.......

these days, and not just here, everywhere !!!!, if you are not a cookie cutter mainstream yes man, you have to be put aside......i guess it is a jealousy thing  against who thinks by himself and talks his mind.......if you not part of the flock, you are a hater , in hopes no one hears you.....

truth and reality are not good things anymore !!!!!! 

If eli gets out of denver healthy and races SLC for the first time in three years, I hope so.