Eli out at Yamaha?

kNewc
Posts
1169
Joined
3/17/2017
Location
IN US
4/17/2025 5:59am
Matty B reported talks between Eli and Yamaha aren't going well. Seems he's not in the budget with them signing Webb and Deegan. It's in Matt's...

Matty B reported talks between Eli and Yamaha aren't going well. Seems he's not in the budget with them signing Webb and Deegan. It's in Matt's latest YouTube vid. Mathes was tweeting similar things. I guess Star doesn't have a bottomless pit of money. Where could Eli end up? 

Who is Matty B?  I listen to a ton of moto podcasts, but I’ve never heard of that.

Matt Burkeen, you really should take an evening and watch all of his videos, great content. The Arenacross commentary alone is worth it. https://www.youtube.com/@mattburkeen820

14
1
Neverclear
Posts
309
Joined
12/30/2006
Location
NJ US
4/17/2025 6:06am

Who is Matty B?  I listen to a ton of moto podcasts, but I’ve never heard of that.

Matt Burkeen. The videos he posts are great. His recent crash highlights with commentary from Motorama is one of my favorite posts on YouTube.

11
1
4/17/2025 6:08am
Matty B reported talks between Eli and Yamaha aren't going well. Seems he's not in the budget with them signing Webb and Deegan. It's in Matt's...

Matty B reported talks between Eli and Yamaha aren't going well. Seems he's not in the budget with them signing Webb and Deegan. It's in Matt's latest YouTube vid. Mathes was tweeting similar things. I guess Star doesn't have a bottomless pit of money. Where could Eli end up? 

Who is Matty B?  I listen to a ton of moto podcasts, but I’ve never heard of that.

kNewc wrote:
Matt Burkeen, you really should take an evening and watch all of his videos, great content. The Arenacross commentary alone is worth it. https://www.youtube.com/@mattburkeen820

Matt Burkeen, you really should take an evening and watch all of his videos, great content. The Arenacross commentary alone is worth it. https://www.youtube.com/@mattburkeen820

It's nice to see his subs have grown to 50K. Everyone should  give him a sub, like, and comment on his videos if they watch them. Helps with the YouTube algorithm. Perhaps he can get something going as youtuber, rider, journalist if he continues to develop his channel

6
1
davistld01
Posts
9210
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
Springfield, MO US
4/17/2025 6:23am Edited Date/Time 4/17/2025 6:26am

My thinking is that if Star wanted to resign Tomac...they'd somehow find the money to do it. You don't field a team as massive as Star if your finances are hanging by a thread. 

5

The Shop

Money
Posts
1839
Joined
1/18/2011
Location
Fresno, CA US
4/17/2025 6:27am
I like ClubMX but I hope that doesn’t happen. That bike isn’t good enough for Tomac. This is a bummer situation for Eli. It sucks if...

I like ClubMX but I hope that doesn’t happen. That bike isn’t good enough for Tomac. This is a bummer situation for Eli. It sucks if he decides to just walk away.

twotwosix wrote:

The Club bike is plenty fine. Phil put it in the top 10 in the 450 Nationals and Shock has podiumed with it in 250 SX. 

Sorry but if your a Tomac you don’t even consider club. They still have too many odd bike issues that a championship guy would not be happy with. Would be great to see Eli on ktm 

1
5
4/17/2025 6:30am

Yamaha will make it happen. One of the only people you can pencil in for wins and a chance at championship.

 

7
1
GoonBoy911
Posts
32
Joined
12/25/2018
Location
Washington, UT US
4/17/2025 6:35am

He seemed to have a pretty good relationship with Coker, who is now manager at Triumph 🤔

11
4/17/2025 6:39am
I like ClubMX but I hope that doesn’t happen. That bike isn’t good enough for Tomac. This is a bummer situation for Eli. It sucks if...

I like ClubMX but I hope that doesn’t happen. That bike isn’t good enough for Tomac. This is a bummer situation for Eli. It sucks if he decides to just walk away.

twotwosix wrote:

The Club bike is plenty fine. Phil put it in the top 10 in the 450 Nationals and Shock has podiumed with it in 250 SX. 

I think even Phil would tell you that Eli needs more than ClubMX can offer. Have you not seen their suspension? 

2
4/17/2025 6:42am Edited Date/Time 4/17/2025 6:43am

Ducati, with a low-expectations, high base pay contract. Ducati can afford a couple million bucks a year to pay one of the greatest of all time to usher in their new bike on US soil, affording Eli the ability to make an elongated, ceremonious exit.

I think it’s safe to say that the Ducati is not going to kill Eli, unlike McGrath’s unceremonious exit on the KTM

21
1
4/17/2025 6:55am
twotwosix wrote:
If Eli is smart, he will find a way to stay on a Yamaha, unless he truly plans on putting in another 2-3 years. He has...

If Eli is smart, he will find a way to stay on a Yamaha, unless he truly plans on putting in another 2-3 years. He has that bike where he wants it and he can win on it currently. If he switches brands and can't gel with the new bike, the end of his career may look much different than it does right now. He doesn't need to be switching brands for just one more full season. 

This. You gotta think he just wants one more good shot at a sx title. If he wins in '23, I believe he's already be retired. He wins the '23 sx title and goes up against Jett for the mx title. Whether he won it or not he would be satisfied. He loses to Jett, he accepts the changing of the guard and retires. Even if he wins mx this summer, it's getting one last real run at a sx title he wants. That's why it doesn't make sense to move to a completely new platform

6
Johnny Ringo
Posts
7971
Joined
1/11/2016
Location
Tombstone, AZ US
4/17/2025 7:04am

Would be cool to see him back in TLD at Ducati

5
1
4/17/2025 7:04am
twotwosix wrote:
If Eli is smart, he will find a way to stay on a Yamaha, unless he truly plans on putting in another 2-3 years. He has...

If Eli is smart, he will find a way to stay on a Yamaha, unless he truly plans on putting in another 2-3 years. He has that bike where he wants it and he can win on it currently. If he switches brands and can't gel with the new bike, the end of his career may look much different than it does right now. He doesn't need to be switching brands for just one more full season. 

This. You gotta think he just wants one more good shot at a sx title. If he wins in '23, I believe he's already be retired...

This. You gotta think he just wants one more good shot at a sx title. If he wins in '23, I believe he's already be retired. He wins the '23 sx title and goes up against Jett for the mx title. Whether he won it or not he would be satisfied. He loses to Jett, he accepts the changing of the guard and retires. Even if he wins mx this summer, it's getting one last real run at a sx title he wants. That's why it doesn't make sense to move to a completely new platform

Yes, I have no idea who started this rumor but without doubt, Eli is staying at Yamaha to finish his career off. 

 Deegan will still be on 250's in 26. 

Why is everyone getting their tits wrung out ? For hits on social media?

6
4
endurox
Posts
2081
Joined
3/22/2014
Location
Garden City, ID US
4/17/2025 7:08am

Would be cool to see him back in TLD at Ducati

This fits Barcia perfect.

6
4/17/2025 7:09am

This is probably all a tactic to get a few more bucks out of Yamaha. I don’t see a situation where Yamaha lets him go to a different team. I’m betting this is simply negotiation tactics. It’s common to point out BATNA in negotiations. Happens in the business world all the time. Now it’s up to the parties to see if that moves the needle either way. 

4
4/17/2025 7:11am

with Matthes speaking openly about this...methinks there's probably some fire behind the smoke.

17
1
4/17/2025 7:11am

I don't know what Matthes is smoking lately. But he needs to stop.

2
25
Press516
Posts
5558
Joined
9/11/2018
Location
Gilbert, AZ US
Fantasy
4/17/2025 7:13am

Other media channels seem to be reporting this as well…


I don’t think any of them have anything more than speculation, but man, the smoke and fire thing is sure out there.


 

3
ZinAZ
Posts
290
Joined
10/11/2022
Location
boston, MA US
4/17/2025 7:14am

Brady consistently took paycuts to play for the PATS and go down as the goat...

2
5
Bearuno
Posts
5241
Joined
6/28/2014
Location
AU
4/17/2025 7:16am Edited Date/Time 4/17/2025 10:04pm
davistld01 wrote:
My thinking is that if Star wanted to resign Tomac...they'd somehow find the money to do it. You don't field a team as massive as Star...

My thinking is that if Star wanted to resign Tomac...they'd somehow find the money to do it. You don't field a team as massive as Star if your finances are hanging by a thread. 

This is going to read as a bit 'Debbie Downer', but : 

A Team as "massive" as Star , being so Massive, With Massive outlays, in all respects, may well be heading into a less 'monied' time.

All it may take, is some of their backers, to pull out, or reduce their contributions, to put a squeeze on their Team Budget. 

 The World may well be heading into a severely constrained era, that could make the GFC times look prosperous,  and, a lot of sponsorship may be cut, with the rise of prices of so many things, and thus, far less consumption of less than necessary things, such as our toys. 

10
6
Homey55
Posts
1237
Joined
2/18/2010
Location
collinsville, OK US
4/17/2025 7:21am
Boomslang wrote:
Yes, I have no idea who started this rumor but without doubt, Eli is staying at Yamaha to finish his career off.  Deegan will still be on...

Yes, I have no idea who started this rumor but without doubt, Eli is staying at Yamaha to finish his career off. 

 Deegan will still be on 250's in 26. 

Why is everyone getting their tits wrung out ? For hits on social media?

Deegan needs to win this title and get out of the 250's. He's not beating Cole Davies next year, and bunch of these kids want a piece of him. IMO it's best to get a jump on his competition (Davies, Beaumer, Kitchen, etc) in the 450 class. If Eli stays at Yamaha, he gets some good OJT next year for his transition.

2
2
mx 219
Posts
4034
Joined
8/15/2010
Location
South Central, PA US
4/17/2025 7:23am Edited Date/Time 4/17/2025 7:23am

what about a low salary and big bonuses?

2
2
4/17/2025 7:31am
Three7one wrote:

The powerhouse team kawasaki of Tomac and sexton would be mind blowing…

Haha that would be crazy

But nah Tomac is good and done with kawi

1
1
4/17/2025 7:45am

Unpopular opinion but get rid of Craig & Mosiman. Let’s be honest they have paid Craig for very little bike time. Unfortunate he’s been injured but he’s not a podium guy IMO. Same with Mosiman. I was kind of surprised to see him there again for this year. Hope that Yamaha can work things out and keep Eli there. I can’t see them letting go of what could be. 

13
1
Shiny_Shu
Posts
34
Joined
6/13/2019
Location
Blackland, TX US
4/17/2025 7:52am
mtbkris2 wrote:

KTM would be the nail in the coffin for his career imo. I just don’t see the ktm suiting the bull dog riding style 

LP31 wrote:

Have you seen Herlings ride…

EAmato88 wrote:

Yeah, weve seen him ride. Have you seen him crash? Theres no way Tomac goes to the orange shit box

That 'shit box" you are referring to won the MX2, MX1, 250SXE, 250SXW, and 450MX championships last year. 

41
speed_racer
Posts
353
Joined
7/29/2016
Location
Aiea, HI US
4/17/2025 7:55am

This is exactly what Villopoto could've done instead of retiring. Leave Kawasaki, go to Yamaha, leave Yamaha go to the next team sponsored by the drink company that lives for the name ELI TOMAC. Villopoto left 4 to 6 million on the table, Tomac is smart to keep going on any bike until he gets beat by Friese. 

 

8
Zycki11
Posts
7689
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
Edwardsville, IL US
4/17/2025 8:01am

Personally I can't see him going elsewhere. I think they make it happen somehow some way. Clearly Star and Yamaha want to keep Hayden and that is the future so you have to respect it.  Changing platforms would just be a setback due to testing, getting comfy on the bike and with the team. It wouldn't be the same. We shall see what happens but one would think Yamaha steps up somehow and helps out further.

4
1
Zycki11
Posts
7689
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
Edwardsville, IL US
4/17/2025 8:03am
Unpopular opinion but get rid of Craig & Mosiman. Let’s be honest they have paid Craig for very little bike time. Unfortunate he’s been injured but...

Unpopular opinion but get rid of Craig & Mosiman. Let’s be honest they have paid Craig for very little bike time. Unfortunate he’s been injured but he’s not a podium guy IMO. Same with Mosiman. I was kind of surprised to see him there again for this year. Hope that Yamaha can work things out and keep Eli there. I can’t see them letting go of what could be. 

Apples to Oranges.  Star pays the 250 riders salary, Yamaha the 450 guys (excluding Craig). They hired him to help Hayden and that already fell through. Craig is paid by Star not Yamaha

1
Madmax31
Posts
2133
Joined
1/7/2009
Location
Cincinnati, OH US
Fantasy
4/17/2025 8:03am
davistld01 wrote:
My thinking is that if Star wanted to resign Tomac...they'd somehow find the money to do it. You don't field a team as massive as Star...

My thinking is that if Star wanted to resign Tomac...they'd somehow find the money to do it. You don't field a team as massive as Star if your finances are hanging by a thread. 

Bearuno wrote:
This is going to read as a bit 'Debbie Downer', but : A Team as "massive" as Star , being so Massive, With Massive outlays, in all...

This is going to read as a bit 'Debbie Downer', but : 

A Team as "massive" as Star , being so Massive, With Massive outlays, in all respects, may well be heading into a less 'monied' time.

All it may take, is some of their backers, to pull out, or reduce their contributions, to put a squeeze on their Team Budget. 

 The World may well be heading into a severely constrained era, that could make the GFC times look prosperous,  and, a lot of sponsorship may be cut, with the rise of prices of so many things, and thus, far less consumption of less than necessary things, such as our toys. 

I agree that Star has a massive debt.  However, call me crazy, but going by history.  I think the market is going to boom and the future is bright.  🎢

6
14
Falcon
Posts
12210
Joined
11/16/2011
Location
Menifee, CA US
4/17/2025 8:12am

If I'm the team manager at Star, I find a way to re-sign Tomac and Deegan, even if it means buying out the contracts of Craig, Webb and Cooper. (Keep Webb if you can.)

6
1
BARGE
Posts
52
Joined
2/13/2025
Location
Scranton, PA US
4/17/2025 8:33am

Ducati has money and they commit pretty heavily. I wouldn't be surprised if he had a offer already since they really thrive to dominate and make a big splash

7
1

Post a reply to: Eli out at Yamaha?

The Latest