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Hypothetical for your factory team - Eli is asking double what Webb is. Webb has been in the SX title hunt all the way in both 2024 and 2025. Eli hadn’t finished a full championship in either SX or MX the last two years. Do you still pay Eli whatever he’s asking?
Yep
I envy JCoop in another way - trophy husband 😉. Yes, I heard on Pulp too that JCoop is looking for the best bike over money. However, fielding the team to support a rider even at zero rider pay is not trivial. If so, would he go to ClubMX on a Yamaha over being on another brand if there was no offer at Star? I don't think so, but that would really cement his "Yamaha over all others" position.
You don't see Coop having staying power over the next 3 years but you see Eli having it? He's going to be 33 when the 2026 sx season starts. Did I miss Eli having a big points lead before he got injured? Eli still has it in him to win and look amazing on a given night. He still hasn't shown that he can do it consistently since his achilles injury. Webb looks as good as ever. Yeah he got smoked last night. When Sexton is riding like that, he does that to anyone. Yes he would have done that to Eli and Jett, too. I'll die on the hill that had Eli not gotten injured, Webb is still beating him this sx season.
All that said, I do want Eli back on Star. I think it's the team that would produce the best results out of him. And that's all I care about as the racing will be better with the best version of Eli out there. Didnt I hear ML in his vid say the sticking point is Eli wants multiple years? It's not just bringing him back for 2026.
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Coop will be 30… not too much of a difference there. Both Tomac injuries were fluke deals.. come on.
No, Sexton would not have put 20 seconds on Eli or Jett over halfway through the season in the middle of a points race.
to each their own, but I don’t see Webb ever beating Tomac when both are comfortable and in a points chase towards the end of a season
What Motogp tracks/countries are so dangerous they can't leave the track?? I'm willing to bet every single one of them is safer than anywhere in the USA.
I think 3yrs is a big difference when we're talking about 30 and 33 in athletes. If we were talking about a 3yr difference between guys in their 20's then I would agree. Coop will be 33 in 3yrs, Eli will be 36.
Eli's injuries were freak things. But was that the result of cumulative wear and tear from all the years of racing that we'll see more of? I hope not. I'm playing devil's advocate but I do love watching Eli race.
Keep him on the same salary but offer higher championship bonus.
most sports have "sources". And then those journalists call those "sources" and grant anonymity for them to share some inside intel regarding the matter. I'll assume it's not the same for moto? And hypothetically, what would happen if ML of Jamie walked over to the Star truck, walked up to the manager, and asked "So, any comment as to the Eli situation?" I mean, I'll assume "No comment" might be the answer, but at least the question was asked.
I have no idea what they paid Dungey. My point is he was a long shot and KTM gave him a spot on their team.
He can win titles out doors but its SX that teams want.
Sorry Daniel we got to let u go already, Eli just became available😀
Likely the biggest factor could be Haiden moving to 450 for outdoors next season and being a 450 rider going forward. Love Eli but do you keep him or sign a younger guy who is winning? Unless Eli takes an SX only deal.
Haiden possibly moving up is already being considered i’m guessing.
Don't have a factual basis for it, but I suspect Eli sells more bikes for Yamaha than either Cooper does or Deegan will, no matter how many races those guys win. Star aside, Yamaha would be foolish to let him walk to another brand if Eli is motivated
Webb has one outdoor win in his entire career outdoors. 29 SX wins. 2 titles. Eli has over 50 wins in SX. 4 outdoors titles and 2 indoors titles. Was robbed of 1 he basically won. His 2 injuries in the last 2 years were while he was on the bike not even crashing. He came back from injury and was better than Webb coming back from injury. Webb barely in the mix when everyone is firing on all cylinders. Webb is great but he’s no Eli Tomac.
From the way Mathes was talking on his podcast today seems like Eli out at Yamaha and Chase to Kawi is going to happen. Eli to KTM? Man, that would be weird
Pit Row
Imagine if Star threw ETs money at HD and then Cole has his number this summer 🤔
I know the old saying, " What wins on Sunday sells on Monday" but I thought those days were long gone. Does anyone still buy based on the brand "your guy" rides?
I said it in another thread, and I'll say it again. If Eli is committed to 26, I'd keep him no ifs ands or butts. I'd let Justin Cooper seek employment elsewhere and keep Webb if possible. You have Deegan moving up next summer and potentially him and Webb as teammates for a couple years.
I assume those other guys collectively will win more races combined than Eli in the next two years. Not one of them is as significant a brand ambassador as Eli, and I don't think any of them, including Deegan, will elevate to the same presence Eli has in the sport over a career. I think Eli winning on that bike after struggling with the Kawasaki did more to establish the 450 than anything else in the last few years, including Dylan's title.
But that's just what I think. It's not really a fact anyone can dispute, but certainly people can disagree and their opinions are a valid or not as mine is.
Pretty sure Eli knows the situation at Star. But, imo, it seems he still has the hunger. Wife is probably on board, and the kids are still pretty young, so he sounds motivated. Plus, the injuries were time consuming, but little quirky things, not heavy impact type stuff. So, I’m guessing that he still wants a factory bike (Yamaha) if he can get it, but mainly just a good platform to get back out there and race with those guys. Just my $.02 😏
26 yamaha going to an all new model? Either way Tomac was probably going to be new model
Lets not forget the 2nd most wins in SX history that is currently top tier speed and fitness. Its insanity anyone would try to micro manage and bean count with this man. Pay up Bobby!
Read this thread and it's pretty clear why they can't come to terms.
Getting old, can't stay healthy, wasn't expected to be racing at this point, focus and money going another direction, Deegan moving up and that's too many 450s and personalities on one team....
Still winning races and in championship fights if not for fluke injuries, still in great shape, huge fan base, no reason to take a pay cut at this point.....
Both arguments are true and neither side has big reason to come off of their position. Even if eli leaves and has success somewhere else it won't be that big of a deal to star, they'll be fine. If eli takes a chance somewhere else he'll be the main focus and he'll be paid well. If he doesn't have success he just retires and with time people forget he even rode for another team.
I disagree. He was faster than Webb and Roczen by a decent margin to start 2025, and was on par with Jett and Chase's speed (if not slightly faster). Several riders have stated that the level has gone up in the past few seasons, so if anything, I think current Tomac might be faster than prime Kawasaki Tomac.
Tomac was faster than Webb earlier this year, but Roczen? Kenny finished in front of and had faster lap times than Eli in two of the first three rounds. The fourth round was a triple crown, again Roczen beat Tomac in two of the three races.
I think we can all agree for the most part, Yamaha letting Eli go is a really bad idea. I'm still stunned Star would even consider it.
So if Mookie is potentially going to Triumph and Chase goes to Kawi, that only leaves KTM or Ducati.
I just don’t see Tomac going to KTM and going to a completely new manufacturer to SX in Ducati, the Tomacs have themselves in quite the pickle.
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