Can Eli hang with Jett in '25?

whyZ
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1/7/2025 12:50pm
mxlegend99 wrote:
He can definitely hang with him. Jett has the edge. But Eli is right there and in the right circumstances might even have him covered.Sexton, Webb...

He can definitely hang with him. Jett has the edge. But Eli is right there and in the right circumstances might even have him covered.


Sexton, Webb and Hunter will be in the equation at times too. None of the poll options seem to account for that.

This is my take as well.  Jett reads and executes on parts of the track that the other riders are missing.         

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1/7/2025 12:56pm
Tumic wrote:

Did not look close in the ruts at Matterley…

HAHAHAHA.. Good one. New to the sport huh. Good Day

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1/7/2025 1:02pm

I genuinely believe that Eli is going to have something extra this year. It just feels like a Tomac thing to come out in his closing years and be unreal. 

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1/7/2025 1:22pm

I would love to see it, but if I was betting there's no way I wouldn't bet on Jett having him covered. Jett is a way better starter, in all likelihood has higher top end speed and will probably have the same or better fitness. I hope I'm proven wrong though! Tomac is one of my all time favorites. I hope we get a good season

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The Shop

gerg
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1/7/2025 2:21pm
Magoofan wrote:

One things for sure....it's going to be another long season...

...of circle-jerking Jett threads. 

 

Sux to be you.

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1/7/2025 2:27pm
I genuinely believe that Eli is going to have something extra this year. It just feels like a Tomac thing to come out in his closing...

I genuinely believe that Eli is going to have something extra this year. It just feels like a Tomac thing to come out in his closing years and be unreal. 

Agreed. Seems like he's got his fitness back and with that comes speed. Only days left to find out.

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Ozy
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1/7/2025 6:33pm

speculation, hopeful fan boys, wishful thinking.

for the first time in 2 years A1 has a full field of healthy racers and nobody coming back from a major injury!!

 I just hope everybody makes it out safe.

Betting against ET3 is just plain stupid

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Radical
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1/7/2025 6:46pm
oldnescVet wrote:
No one will stay with Jett if he has starts like last year. That red machine was a rocket out of the gate. Consistency will be...

No one will stay with Jett if he has starts like last year. That red machine was a rocket out of the gate. Consistency will be factor #2. It’s a long SMX series.

I'm not saying there's cheating going on.  What happened may be well within the actual rules.  But, in a few races, both Jett and Hunter's bikes were SIGNIFICANTLY faster than everyone else from the gate through the first turn.  After that, about the same.  Maybe ECU mapping that dumps extra fuel at high RPMs, or something, but it was abnormal.

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1/7/2025 6:57pm
I genuinely believe that Eli is going to have something extra this year. It just feels like a Tomac thing to come out in his closing...

I genuinely believe that Eli is going to have something extra this year. It just feels like a Tomac thing to come out in his closing years and be unreal. 

We all hope so 

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BS12
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1/7/2025 7:03pm

Is Eli willing to take the risks that Jett inevitably will in order to win?

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1/7/2025 7:04pm

peeps forgetting about CHASE....he;s haulin.............

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1/7/2025 7:07pm
BS12 wrote:

Is Eli willing to take the risks that Jett inevitably will in order to win?

So far with what we've seen (especially that quad at Daytona) the answer is no. 

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Phil109
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1/7/2025 7:14pm

I am a total Jett fan. I think he has it all and he is my favorite rider to watch ride a bike since JS7. That said, I think Sexton will lay the smack down on both Eli and Jett more than we think. I like them all but I just see something brewing in Sexton.  Can’t wait for this season. It’s going to be epic! 

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oldnescVet
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1/7/2025 7:31pm
oldnescVet wrote:
No one will stay with Jett if he has starts like last year. That red machine was a rocket out of the gate. Consistency will be...

No one will stay with Jett if he has starts like last year. That red machine was a rocket out of the gate. Consistency will be factor #2. It’s a long SMX series.

Radical wrote:
I'm not saying there's cheating going on.  What happened may be well within the actual rules.  But, in a few races, both Jett and Hunter's bikes...

I'm not saying there's cheating going on.  What happened may be well within the actual rules.  But, in a few races, both Jett and Hunter's bikes were SIGNIFICANTLY faster than everyone else from the gate through the first turn.  After that, about the same.  Maybe ECU mapping that dumps extra fuel at high RPMs, or something, but it was abnormal.

I was 50’ away from three of his starts last season. His reaction time is spot on but in Vegas he had a bike and a half lead in the first ten feet. I’m thinking they have something going on with the clutch setup

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1/7/2025 7:40pm
I'm sorry y'all. ET3 is my favorite rider and I'm a patriot but Donutboy has him covered. It just makes sense as Eli is a vet...

I'm sorry y'all. ET3 is my favorite rider and I'm a patriot but Donutboy has him covered. It just makes sense as Eli is a vet, Jett is fresh. 

I just think about Eli getting beat straight up at his house (Daytona). Still makes me teary-eyed til this day. 

HonDawg17 wrote:
Lets be honest. If Daytona was dry, Tomac would've won. He played too conservative in the deep wet rutted soil. If Daytona was raced on Friday...

Lets be honest. If Daytona was dry, Tomac would've won. He played too conservative in the deep wet rutted soil. If Daytona was raced on Friday last year, Tomac would've embarrassed Jett. Go back and watch him on Press Day.

Woulda, shoulda, coulda

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OwenJakes
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1/7/2025 8:12pm
BS12 wrote:

Is Eli willing to take the risks that Jett inevitably will in order to win?

So far with what we've seen (especially that quad at Daytona) the answer is no. 

I think you forgot to add “comfort” into your equation. I think we’d both agree he wasn’t the guy he is in the present form. Look I’m such a big Tomac fan I’m basically feral but his 2024 SX campaign was a mixed bag. 

I mean we ride - are you not willing to send it way more when you’re comfortable? 

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1/8/2025 6:35am
BS12 wrote:

Is Eli willing to take the risks that Jett inevitably will in order to win?

So far with what we've seen (especially that quad at Daytona) the answer is no. 

He was still building himself back to full health and speed.

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kage173
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1/9/2025 5:48am

Nah. We are already deep into the downhill slide of a firmer champion. It starts with a bad injury, then getting back up to speed takes longer than it used to, and then the come back is always right around the corner. Flashes of brilliance make it seem possible, but there's always some excuse that never used to be there. Bike setup, lappers, nagging injury, just "not feeling it tonight". Then they start talking about race wins instead of championships. And it just goes on from there. 

I wish it was different. 

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OwenJakes
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1/9/2025 6:30am
kage173 wrote:
Nah. We are already deep into the downhill slide of a firmer champion. It starts with a bad injury, then getting back up to speed takes...

Nah. We are already deep into the downhill slide of a firmer champion. It starts with a bad injury, then getting back up to speed takes longer than it used to, and then the come back is always right around the corner. Flashes of brilliance make it seem possible, but there's always some excuse that never used to be there. Bike setup, lappers, nagging injury, just "not feeling it tonight". Then they start talking about race wins instead of championships. And it just goes on from there. 

I wish it was different. 

Worst take in this thread for sure 

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kxking
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Fantasy
1/9/2025 7:07am
kage173 wrote:
Nah. We are already deep into the downhill slide of a firmer champion. It starts with a bad injury, then getting back up to speed takes...

Nah. We are already deep into the downhill slide of a firmer champion. It starts with a bad injury, then getting back up to speed takes longer than it used to, and then the come back is always right around the corner. Flashes of brilliance make it seem possible, but there's always some excuse that never used to be there. Bike setup, lappers, nagging injury, just "not feeling it tonight". Then they start talking about race wins instead of championships. And it just goes on from there. 

I wish it was different. 

OwenJakes wrote:

Worst take in this thread for sure 

Its actually pretty accurate.

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Hodge336
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1/9/2025 9:33am
oldnescVet wrote:
No one will stay with Jett if he has starts like last year. That red machine was a rocket out of the gate. Consistency will be...

No one will stay with Jett if he has starts like last year. That red machine was a rocket out of the gate. Consistency will be factor #2. It’s a long SMX series.

Radical wrote:
I'm not saying there's cheating going on.  What happened may be well within the actual rules.  But, in a few races, both Jett and Hunter's bikes...

I'm not saying there's cheating going on.  What happened may be well within the actual rules.  But, in a few races, both Jett and Hunter's bikes were SIGNIFICANTLY faster than everyone else from the gate through the first turn.  After that, about the same.  Maybe ECU mapping that dumps extra fuel at high RPMs, or something, but it was abnormal.

I heard on some janky podcast that “Lars has the button”

Magoofan
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1/9/2025 10:08am
kage173 wrote:
Nah. We are already deep into the downhill slide of a firmer champion. It starts with a bad injury, then getting back up to speed takes...

Nah. We are already deep into the downhill slide of a firmer champion. It starts with a bad injury, then getting back up to speed takes longer than it used to, and then the come back is always right around the corner. Flashes of brilliance make it seem possible, but there's always some excuse that never used to be there. Bike setup, lappers, nagging injury, just "not feeling it tonight". Then they start talking about race wins instead of championships. And it just goes on from there. 

I wish it was different. 

OwenJakes wrote:

Worst take in this thread for sure 

I can't remember for sure.   Weren't you the guy who said Tomac would never win again last year?  Or was that someone else...

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Forty
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Saint Paul, MN US
1/9/2025 10:22am
kage173 wrote:
Nah. We are already deep into the downhill slide of a firmer champion. It starts with a bad injury, then getting back up to speed takes...

Nah. We are already deep into the downhill slide of a firmer champion. It starts with a bad injury, then getting back up to speed takes longer than it used to, and then the come back is always right around the corner. Flashes of brilliance make it seem possible, but there's always some excuse that never used to be there. Bike setup, lappers, nagging injury, just "not feeling it tonight". Then they start talking about race wins instead of championships. And it just goes on from there. 

I wish it was different. 

OwenJakes wrote:

Worst take in this thread for sure 

Magoofan wrote:

I can't remember for sure.   Weren't you the guy who said Tomac would never win again last year?  Or was that someone else...

2 years ago, I said Tomac would never win another SX race but would win the outdoor series. 

Tomac came in 2nd to Sexton in SX and Lawrence swept the field in MX.

I'm tuned in man.  

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Tumic
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1/9/2025 11:52am
Dan541 wrote:
I'd argue Tomac had the speed to match him and Gasjer, or very close, but did not have the stamina. Keep in mind it was only...

I'd argue Tomac had the speed to match him and Gasjer, or very close, but did not have the stamina. Keep in mind it was only his 3rd National in like 2 years, and that performance showed he can still do it. Now, if we follow Weege's theory, he won't be able to have it every weekend, but I fully expect Tomac to give Jett the business a few times this year. All speculation, but I hope I'm right, it'll be interesting to see how Jett handles it Smile

Say what you want but one of them took the holeshot while the other was down in 18th and the one who was 18th when he passed the pit area on the first lap finished 17 seconds in front of the one that got the holeshot.

People can grasp at straws how much they want because Eli is their hero, but Jett has caught up and passed Eli so many times now at SX/SMX and MXDN that I feel that Tomac has something to prove here other than people’s biased feelings towards him.

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Cliffy615
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1/9/2025 12:22pm
Tumic wrote:

Did not look close in the ruts at Matterley…

Dan541 wrote:
I'd argue Tomac had the speed to match him and Gasjer, or very close, but did not have the stamina. Keep in mind it was only...

I'd argue Tomac had the speed to match him and Gasjer, or very close, but did not have the stamina. Keep in mind it was only his 3rd National in like 2 years, and that performance showed he can still do it. Now, if we follow Weege's theory, he won't be able to have it every weekend, but I fully expect Tomac to give Jett the business a few times this year. All speculation, but I hope I'm right, it'll be interesting to see how Jett handles it Smile

A lot seem to overlook that jett was around 20th on lap one on the race where Gasjer passed him back in the last corner, 20th to 1st in those conditions with the best in the world, then got caught off gaurd last lap and dropped a place 

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Herr Lich
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1/9/2025 2:21pm
I'm sorry y'all. ET3 is my favorite rider and I'm a patriot but Donutboy has him covered. It just makes sense as Eli is a vet...

I'm sorry y'all. ET3 is my favorite rider and I'm a patriot but Donutboy has him covered. It just makes sense as Eli is a vet, Jett is fresh. 

I just think about Eli getting beat straight up at his house (Daytona). Still makes me teary-eyed til this day. 

HonDawg17 wrote:
Lets be honest. If Daytona was dry, Tomac would've won. He played too conservative in the deep wet rutted soil. If Daytona was raced on Friday...

Lets be honest. If Daytona was dry, Tomac would've won. He played too conservative in the deep wet rutted soil. If Daytona was raced on Friday last year, Tomac would've embarrassed Jett. Go back and watch him on Press Day.

InkedDV 35.jpg?VersionId=mxy4yan4LlfN7SuyXtXPh73genuge
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Herr Lich
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1/9/2025 2:32pm Edited Date/Time 1/9/2025 2:45pm
BS12 wrote:

Is Eli willing to take the risks that Jett inevitably will in order to win?

So far with what we've seen (especially that quad at Daytona) the answer is no. 

OwenJakes wrote:
I think you forgot to add “comfort” into your equation. I think we’d both agree he wasn’t the guy he is in the present form. Look...

I think you forgot to add “comfort” into your equation. I think we’d both agree he wasn’t the guy he is in the present form. Look I’m such a big Tomac fan I’m basically feral but his 2024 SX campaign was a mixed bag. 

I mean we ride - are you not willing to send it way more when you’re comfortable? 

People around here seem to have forgotten the reality of the '23 season for Tomac.  Sexton was much faster than him all year but kept tucking the front or crashing.  Eli, for his part, was avoiding doing some of the gnarlier rhythm options.  Sure, Eli was going to win the '23 season before his achilles injury but this masks the fact he wasn't the same Eli as '22 and definitely not the same as the years prior to that. In those years it was always Eli that had the most raw speed.  This is not a shitting on Eli post by the way.  I've always been a massive ET fan but some of his supporters on here cannot look past their own fanboidom to grasp some facts.  

Back to the original question.  No, Eli won't hang with Jett most of the time.  If Jett crashes, has a particularly bad start, or is hanging back to protect points and Eli gets a good start and so on, Eli could beat Jett on occasion.  But that's not the same as hanging with him.  IMO, the only two that could get somewhat close to Jett are Chase and Hunter.

Las Vegas SMX 2024

Jett.PNG?VersionId=phg6hsRtTjDMk.f jnLixeT
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Dudley
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1/9/2025 2:45pm

It seems that Jettt is more consistent on starts. I think they could be close in speed 

William
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Jackson, GA US
1/9/2025 2:53pm

Cooper Webb may be healthy and can hold onto his bike again like he once could for the long haul.

I expect that he will win several races this year and challenge for the title.

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