Tomac testing with factory Ducati this week?

5/20/2025 3:27pm

I hope this ends up being Eli's destination. Ducati to me is like the Ferrari of motorcycles. I think it would be really cool!

But Ducati is the Lamborghini of motorcycles.

Ducati 1.jpg?VersionId=XDf91i
22
soggy
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5/20/2025 3:29pm
mxbmx wrote:
Excuse my naivety, but why would Ducati "not be ready" for SX next year? I know suspension and gearing is different, but how hard could it...

Excuse my naivety, but why would Ducati "not be ready" for SX next year? I know suspension and gearing is different, but how hard could it be to set up a bike for a SX season which is 8 months away? TLD know what they are doing, know how to set up a bike. Ducati isn't exactly short on resources, what am I missing?

Got to find the weak points of the bike. Some of this can’t be done with out racing. Even with Eli it’d be a shock if they were a title contender out the gate. Got to expect a mechanical dnf or two. 

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dhp_mma94
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5/20/2025 3:33pm
TriRacer27 wrote:
Here's an interesting thing to think about. If you're Sexton and you have multiple offers on the table, and you know KTM and Kawi won't take...

Here's an interesting thing to think about. If you're Sexton and you have multiple offers on the table, and you know KTM and Kawi won't take Eli until they know what you're doing, do you just sit on the contracts all summer to limit your competitor's options?

if Aaron Rodgers was a motocross athlete this the shit he would exactly do & then go on pat macfee & say no racing team wants him 

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ohh_454
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5/20/2025 3:43pm
This was a brand new bike in 2006 that had never been raced before. It went ok. Especially in supercross. 

This was a brand new bike in 2006 that had never been raced before. It went ok. Especially in supercross. 

IMG 2246 2.jpeg?VersionId=ipmx1UvW6i7xFojb.jZ8jr4k

James also said that that bike was a boat with suspension, but at least it had a 450 motor or something along those lines in one of his podcast videos lol

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1

The Shop

5/20/2025 3:44pm Edited Date/Time 5/20/2025 3:50pm
mxbmx wrote:
Excuse my naivety, but why would Ducati "not be ready" for SX next year? I know suspension and gearing is different, but how hard could it...

Excuse my naivety, but why would Ducati "not be ready" for SX next year? I know suspension and gearing is different, but how hard could it be to set up a bike for a SX season which is 8 months away? TLD know what they are doing, know how to set up a bike. Ducati isn't exactly short on resources, what am I missing?

soggy wrote:
Got to find the weak points of the bike. Some of this can’t be done with out racing. Even with Eli it’d be a shock if...

Got to find the weak points of the bike. Some of this can’t be done with out racing. Even with Eli it’d be a shock if they were a title contender out the gate. Got to expect a mechanical dnf or two. 

Cairoli/Seewer/Guadagnini have been racing it for nearly a year now.

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davis224
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This was a brand new bike in 2006 that had never been raced before. It went ok. Especially in supercross. 

This was a brand new bike in 2006 that had never been raced before. It went ok. Especially in supercross. 

IMG 2246 2.jpeg?VersionId=ipmx1UvW6i7xFojb.jZ8jr4k

It was also racing against bikes with 1-2 years of data tops.

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Sully
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5/20/2025 5:25pm

If the rumors are true about Ducati not having "Eli money," you'd think he'd have to really love the bike to go there since it would more than likely mean a pay cut.

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aees
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5/20/2025 5:28pm
mxbmx wrote:
Excuse my naivety, but why would Ducati "not be ready" for SX next year? I know suspension and gearing is different, but how hard could it...

Excuse my naivety, but why would Ducati "not be ready" for SX next year? I know suspension and gearing is different, but how hard could it be to set up a bike for a SX season which is 8 months away? TLD know what they are doing, know how to set up a bike. Ducati isn't exactly short on resources, what am I missing?

The bike has been failing in MXGP and even Italian round if I remember correctly. 

Eli will bring stress test to a whole new level for that machine. 

Triumph doing OK, some DNF. Beta not good at all. 

Add to that, SX readiness will take resources.

Will be interesting to see if the bike holds up in MXGP rest of season. 

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PNWMXer
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5/20/2025 5:31pm
PRM31 wrote:
My guess is Yamaha/Star realize that not resigning Eli is a bit unusual so they are allowing him to work a new deal as he sees...

My guess is Yamaha/Star realize that not resigning Eli is a bit unusual so they are allowing him to work a new deal as he sees fit. 

This. If Star doesn't want him they aren't bothered he's out on dates with other women

Wish my ex thought like Star…😂

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PRM31
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5/20/2025 5:37pm

Perhaps there is a difference in the $$ to pull Eli from Yamaha that they expected, and the $$ for Eli looking for a ride which seems to be the case. Ultimately, I think the bike, whichever brand, will be the decisive factor.

On the road racing side I’ve read that Ducati doesn’t pay big salaries (relatively speaking) while they do pay good bonuses.  

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5/20/2025 5:42pm
Sully wrote:
If the rumors are true about Ducati not having "Eli money," you'd think he'd have to really love the bike to go there since it would...

If the rumors are true about Ducati not having "Eli money," you'd think he'd have to really love the bike to go there since it would more than likely mean a pay cut.

They don't have Eli Tomac money, is what they say, until Eli Tomac becomes a free agent, and a possibility. Then the conversation changes 😁

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beamer
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5/20/2025 6:05pm

He doesn’t need the money . He should ride the Star Yamaha for basically free with bonus money . Unless the Kawi or somehow the Honda is available. 

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Johnny Ringo
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5/20/2025 6:17pm
This was a brand new bike in 2006 that had never been raced before. It went ok. Especially in supercross. 

This was a brand new bike in 2006 that had never been raced before. It went ok. Especially in supercross. 

IMG 2246 2.jpeg?VersionId=ipmx1UvW6i7xFojb.jZ8jr4k
davis224 wrote:

It was also racing against bikes with 1-2 years of data tops.

2006 was Honda’s 4th year of racing the 450, and Yamaha had been racing one since Henry in 97. 

 

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truck
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5/20/2025 6:28pm
mxbmx wrote:
Excuse my naivety, but why would Ducati "not be ready" for SX next year? I know suspension and gearing is different, but how hard could it...

Excuse my naivety, but why would Ducati "not be ready" for SX next year? I know suspension and gearing is different, but how hard could it be to set up a bike for a SX season which is 8 months away? TLD know what they are doing, know how to set up a bike. Ducati isn't exactly short on resources, what am I missing?

aees wrote:
The bike has been failing in MXGP and even Italian round if I remember correctly. Eli will bring stress test to a whole new level for that...

The bike has been failing in MXGP and even Italian round if I remember correctly. 

Eli will bring stress test to a whole new level for that machine. 

Triumph doing OK, some DNF. Beta not good at all. 

Add to that, SX readiness will take resources.

Will be interesting to see if the bike holds up in MXGP rest of season. 

I don't remember many mechanical failures for triumph or beta this year but maybe I'm forgetting? 

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chasetwo79
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5/20/2025 6:29pm
This was a brand new bike in 2006 that had never been raced before. It went ok. Especially in supercross. 

This was a brand new bike in 2006 that had never been raced before. It went ok. Especially in supercross. 

IMG 2246 2.jpeg?VersionId=ipmx1UvW6i7xFojb.jZ8jr4k
davis224 wrote:

It was also racing against bikes with 1-2 years of data tops.

2006 was Honda’s 4th year of racing the 450, and Yamaha had been racing one since Henry in 97. 

 

This. Doug Henry and Kevin Windham had already won races and even a title already. 

5
5/20/2025 6:30pm Edited Date/Time 5/20/2025 6:30pm
mxbmx wrote:
Excuse my naivety, but why would Ducati "not be ready" for SX next year? I know suspension and gearing is different, but how hard could it...

Excuse my naivety, but why would Ducati "not be ready" for SX next year? I know suspension and gearing is different, but how hard could it be to set up a bike for a SX season which is 8 months away? TLD know what they are doing, know how to set up a bike. Ducati isn't exactly short on resources, what am I missing?

aees wrote:
The bike has been failing in MXGP and even Italian round if I remember correctly. Eli will bring stress test to a whole new level for that...

The bike has been failing in MXGP and even Italian round if I remember correctly. 

Eli will bring stress test to a whole new level for that machine. 

Triumph doing OK, some DNF. Beta not good at all. 

Add to that, SX readiness will take resources.

Will be interesting to see if the bike holds up in MXGP rest of season. 

truck wrote:

I don't remember many mechanical failures for triumph or beta this year but maybe I'm forgetting? 

To be fair, Beta is in it's year 2 and did have some mechanicals in year 1.

truck
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5/20/2025 6:32pm
aees wrote:
The bike has been failing in MXGP and even Italian round if I remember correctly. Eli will bring stress test to a whole new level for that...

The bike has been failing in MXGP and even Italian round if I remember correctly. 

Eli will bring stress test to a whole new level for that machine. 

Triumph doing OK, some DNF. Beta not good at all. 

Add to that, SX readiness will take resources.

Will be interesting to see if the bike holds up in MXGP rest of season. 

truck wrote:

I don't remember many mechanical failures for triumph or beta this year but maybe I'm forgetting? 

To be fair, Beta is in it's year 2 and did have some mechanicals in year 1.

True it was for both of them but it would be year two in a lot of ways for Ducati as well, just not in US.

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aeffertz
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5/20/2025 6:35pm
aees wrote:
The bike has been failing in MXGP and even Italian round if I remember correctly. Eli will bring stress test to a whole new level for that...

The bike has been failing in MXGP and even Italian round if I remember correctly. 

Eli will bring stress test to a whole new level for that machine. 

Triumph doing OK, some DNF. Beta not good at all. 

Add to that, SX readiness will take resources.

Will be interesting to see if the bike holds up in MXGP rest of season. 

truck wrote:

I don't remember many mechanical failures for triumph or beta this year but maybe I'm forgetting? 

To be fair, Beta is in it's year 2 and did have some mechanicals in year 1.

Same with Triumph.

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disbanded
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5/20/2025 6:40pm

He is testing the Ducati for sure because I think I felt some tremors here in Denver.

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5/20/2025 6:40pm
truck wrote:

I don't remember many mechanical failures for triumph or beta this year but maybe I'm forgetting? 

To be fair, Beta is in it's year 2 and did have some mechanicals in year 1.

truck wrote:

True it was for both of them but it would be year two in a lot of ways for Ducati as well, just not in US.

Beta started in MXGP in 2021.

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Johnny Ringo
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5/20/2025 6:43pm

Tomac is used to having mechanicals. He rode for Kawi. 

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motomike137
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5/20/2025 6:51pm
mxbmx wrote:
Excuse my naivety, but why would Ducati "not be ready" for SX next year? I know suspension and gearing is different, but how hard could it...

Excuse my naivety, but why would Ducati "not be ready" for SX next year? I know suspension and gearing is different, but how hard could it be to set up a bike for a SX season which is 8 months away? TLD know what they are doing, know how to set up a bike. Ducati isn't exactly short on resources, what am I missing?

Do you not remember the Yamaha 450 program before Star took over? Webb’s issue with KTM before he left. Jett’s problems with the Honda this year...

Do you not remember the Yamaha 450 program before Star took over? Webb’s issue with KTM before he left. Jett’s problems with the Honda this year. It’s not unusual.

On the other side of the coin sometimes new bikes are good out of the box. I'm sure Eli will choose the best option for his circumstances. We truly don't know where his head is at other than he is sticking around for a while. Maybe The Ducati feels good even if it needs refinement and they offer him a juicy deal.

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mvd61
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5/20/2025 7:43pm
aees wrote:
The bike has been failing in MXGP and even Italian round if I remember correctly. Eli will bring stress test to a whole new level for that...

The bike has been failing in MXGP and even Italian round if I remember correctly. 

Eli will bring stress test to a whole new level for that machine. 

Triumph doing OK, some DNF. Beta not good at all. 

Add to that, SX readiness will take resources.

Will be interesting to see if the bike holds up in MXGP rest of season. 

truck wrote:

I don't remember many mechanical failures for triumph or beta this year but maybe I'm forgetting? 

To be fair, Beta is in it's year 2 and did have some mechanicals in year 1.

What happened to Bloss in SLC or Denver? I don’t recall which one but he was off the track with mechanic looking at the bike. 

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Warlock
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5/20/2025 8:15pm
dhp_mma94 wrote:
if Aaron Rodgers was a motocross athlete this the shit he would exactly do & then go on pat macfee & say no racing team wants...

if Aaron Rodgers was a motocross athlete this the shit he would exactly do & then go on pat macfee & say no racing team wants him 

I still have hopes that the Steelers don't take him.

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soggy
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5/20/2025 8:18pm
mxbmx wrote:
Excuse my naivety, but why would Ducati "not be ready" for SX next year? I know suspension and gearing is different, but how hard could it...

Excuse my naivety, but why would Ducati "not be ready" for SX next year? I know suspension and gearing is different, but how hard could it be to set up a bike for a SX season which is 8 months away? TLD know what they are doing, know how to set up a bike. Ducati isn't exactly short on resources, what am I missing?

soggy wrote:
Got to find the weak points of the bike. Some of this can’t be done with out racing. Even with Eli it’d be a shock if...

Got to find the weak points of the bike. Some of this can’t be done with out racing. Even with Eli it’d be a shock if they were a title contender out the gate. Got to expect a mechanical dnf or two. 

Cairoli/Seewer/Guadagnini have been racing it for nearly a year now.

Understood. SX is different. And the abuse tomac puts in a bike is different from most. If Ducati and tomac decide to do it it will be trial by fire. 

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StillSmokin
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5/20/2025 8:19pm

I hope this ends up being Eli's destination. Ducati to me is like the Ferrari of motorcycles. I think it would be really cool!

But Ducati is the Lamborghini of motorcycles.

But Ducati is the Lamborghini of motorcycles.

Ducati 1.jpg?VersionId=XDf91i

Had no idea Ducati was just a red Volkswagen.

Crazy times we’re living in.

IMG 0787.jpeg?VersionId=6R8HNscIbzLRB134
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soggy
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5/20/2025 8:19pm
dhp_mma94 wrote:
if Aaron Rodgers was a motocross athlete this the shit he would exactly do & then go on pat macfee & say no racing team wants...

if Aaron Rodgers was a motocross athlete this the shit he would exactly do & then go on pat macfee & say no racing team wants him 

Warlock wrote:

I still have hopes that the Steelers don't take him.

100% except Rodger’s is washed now. Jstew was in his prime. 

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2
5/20/2025 10:53pm
This was a brand new bike in 2006 that had never been raced before. It went ok. Especially in supercross. 

This was a brand new bike in 2006 that had never been raced before. It went ok. Especially in supercross. 

IMG 2246 2.jpeg?VersionId=ipmx1UvW6i7xFojb.jZ8jr4k
ohh_454 wrote:
James also said that that bike was a boat with suspension, but at least it had a 450 motor or something along those lines in one...

James also said that that bike was a boat with suspension, but at least it had a 450 motor or something along those lines in one of his podcast videos lol

And this was a mildly modified bike from the previous years class beating bike. And their year turned to disaster… so..🤷‍♀️

IMG 7409 1.jpeg?VersionId=pxnFwg.3mafBduVJCuKv.6
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Rad76
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5/21/2025 2:15am

I hope this ends up being Eli's destination. Ducati to me is like the Ferrari of motorcycles. I think it would be really cool!

Except this one looks more like a Dacia Logan 😂

cwel11
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5/21/2025 2:36am

So my question is he doesn’t go KTM or Ducati, then what? 

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