Tomac hurt?

4/5/2026 7:28am
ohh_454 wrote:

DeCoster definitely ain’t even looking at Tomac, let alone talking to him right now 

Want to bet???

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jambalaya
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4/5/2026 7:56am

He's a professional athlete. Stop coddling him

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OldPro277
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4/5/2026 8:00am
RDnutz wrote:
He's a grown man that may just have different priorities and personal standards than people who live through socials and "sharing" absolutely everything about their lives...

He's a grown man that may just have different priorities and personal standards than people who live through socials and "sharing" absolutely everything about their lives with the universe.

I’m of the opinion that he’s most certainly has a physical issue,NOT a mental one . A mental roadblock would have him  looking fine on the bike but just not hitting lines or pushing hard , but this issue has his body positioning way ‘off’ indicative of protecting an injured body part .

Also I 100%agree with you RD , he doesn’t owe US any explanation, just his team and sponsors. He is old school and doesn’t really have that strong social media mindset that requires people to post every meal they eat etc. Us old timers would never show weakness or injury to our competitors to take an advantage of , or to give them a boost of confidence in whatever sport .  I think he is in survivor mode and salvaging as many points as he can while he is hopefully getting thru this injury . 

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4/5/2026 8:02am
RDnutz wrote:
He's a grown man that may just have different priorities and personal standards than people who live through socials and "sharing" absolutely everything about their lives...

He's a grown man that may just have different priorities and personal standards than people who live through socials and "sharing" absolutely everything about their lives with the universe.

OldPro277 wrote:
I’m of the opinion that he’s most certainly has a physical issue,NOT a mental one . A mental roadblock would have him  looking fine on the...

I’m of the opinion that he’s most certainly has a physical issue,NOT a mental one . A mental roadblock would have him  looking fine on the bike but just not hitting lines or pushing hard , but this issue has his body positioning way ‘off’ indicative of protecting an injured body part .

Also I 100%agree with you RD , he doesn’t owe US any explanation, just his team and sponsors. He is old school and doesn’t really have that strong social media mindset that requires people to post every meal they eat etc. Us old timers would never show weakness or injury to our competitors to take an advantage of , or to give them a boost of confidence in whatever sport .  I think he is in survivor mode and salvaging as many points as he can while he is hopefully getting thru this injury . 

This 100% !!!!!!

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The Shop

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4/5/2026 8:08am

I'm not a betting man, but if I was I'd bet on an injury. The Birmingham leg injury seems like the most likely injury based on his riding in that main and since

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ShipLap
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4/5/2026 8:20am
resetjet wrote:

I think he is struggling with a mental issue. I have seen him behave this way many times. 

East Rutheford 2017.  Leading series.  Leading race.  Tips over.

Unconcerned with getting back up.  Finishes 8th.  Loses title.

RC was like "Dude.  Get your @$$ up and get going !!!"


Abnormal behaviour for sure.

 

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4/5/2026 8:24am
ShipLap wrote:
East Rutheford 2017.  Leading series.  Leading race.  Tips over.Unconcerned with getting back up.  Finishes 8th.  Loses title.RC was like "Dude.  Get your @$$ up and get...

East Rutheford 2017.  Leading series.  Leading race.  Tips over.

Unconcerned with getting back up.  Finishes 8th.  Loses title.

RC was like "Dude.  Get your @$$ up and get going !!!"


Abnormal behaviour for sure.

 

You’re bringing up a race from almost ten years ago when he was yet to win a 450 title. I think by now he’s proven he’s more than capable of handling the mental side of things.

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kpiper
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4/5/2026 8:30am

Has he been the same since Friese almost cross-jumped him? Someone else said he looks like he is riding scared. Definitely not riding aggressively like he was before. He had Hunter right there last night, but had nothing and faded badly.

It looked like the old arm pump deal where he rides ok for a while and then fades when he can't hang on any longer. No flow, that is for sure.

Tomac said they did testing on Monday. If he is injured, would they do testing?

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4/5/2026 8:42am
resetjet wrote:

I think he is struggling with a mental issue. I have seen him behave this way many times. 

chlodog wrote:

Depression would explain a lot of his "style"

You doesn’t seem to have a clue about depression and what it does to you. If that’s the case one of the last thing you would do is throw your legs over a dirtbike.

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4/5/2026 9:07am

This is normal for Tomac wins races then falls back and then is top 5 or 10 for a few races. 

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4/5/2026 9:24am

I think he’s tired, with three kids and one of the oldest in the field to compete at highest level for 17 weekends in three months is not very easy. He’ll strike but who knows when?! Hopefully sooner than later.

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4/5/2026 10:00am
LLOYD22 wrote:

KTM can’t afford to pay for a championship and neither can Suzuki,  same thing will happen to roczen soon.

K roc is a stud more than tomac , if he did not push so hard to catch RD tomac never had his luck or webb,

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4/5/2026 11:33am

K roc is a stud more than tomac , if he did not push so hard to catch RD tomac never had his luck or webb,

Four total posts and three of them are talking shit about Tomac 😂 You got something you want to get off your chest there guy?

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-MAVERICK-
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4/5/2026 3:46pm
chump6784 wrote:

Was Matthes right at the start of the season? No one over 30 has ever won an SX title. Is the intensity just wearing on Eli?

He's correct that no one over 30 has ever won the 450 SX title. 

The oldest to win it is Cooper Webb at 29 years and 6 months. 

Before that was Tomac at 29 years, 5 months, and 16 days. 

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ShipLap
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4/5/2026 3:52pm Edited Date/Time 4/5/2026 3:58pm
"I thought Tomac would and he should... he should smoke all these dudes like it shouldn't even be close. Like he's... I remember telling the guys even when I was racing that he was the guy that was gonna come up and like he was the only one I was worried about because he had speed that would separate him from anybody... like when he's in the 250 class.
But then I saw like the weakness of him and it was... he was mental. Like and that's not a knock on the guy, I mean he's one of the fastest guys I've ever seen ride a motorcycle but then like he would win a race and then finish like ninth the next race and when it came down to like titles I just saw him like just struggle with that" (James Stewart Jr. 2009).
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RDnutz
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4/5/2026 3:55pm
ShipLap wrote:
"I thought Tomac would and he should... he should smoke all these dudes like it shouldn't even be close. Like he's... I remember telling the guys...
"I thought Tomac would and he should... he should smoke all these dudes like it shouldn't even be close. Like he's... I remember telling the guys even when I was racing that he was the guy that was gonna come up and like he was the only one I was worried about because he had speed that would separate him from anybody... like when he's in the 250 class.
But then I saw like the weakness of him and it was... he was mental. Like and that's not a knock on the guy, I mean he's one of the fastest guys I've ever seen ride a motorcycle but then like he would win a race and then finish like ninth the next race and when it came down to like titles I just saw him like just struggle with that" (James Stewart Jr. 2009).

how does that explain the change of his riding position and apprehension sending it on tougher parts of the track recently?

ShipLap
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4/5/2026 4:03pm
ShipLap wrote:
"I thought Tomac would and he should... he should smoke all these dudes like it shouldn't even be close. Like he's... I remember telling the guys...
"I thought Tomac would and he should... he should smoke all these dudes like it shouldn't even be close. Like he's... I remember telling the guys even when I was racing that he was the guy that was gonna come up and like he was the only one I was worried about because he had speed that would separate him from anybody... like when he's in the 250 class.
But then I saw like the weakness of him and it was... he was mental. Like and that's not a knock on the guy, I mean he's one of the fastest guys I've ever seen ride a motorcycle but then like he would win a race and then finish like ninth the next race and when it came down to like titles I just saw him like just struggle with that" (James Stewart Jr. 2009).
RDnutz wrote:

how does that explain the change of his riding position and apprehension sending it on tougher parts of the track recently?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tdtbifakifk

Start at the 20-minute mark. 
It explains some of what we are discussing here..

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-MAVERICK-
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4/5/2026 4:22pm

Didn't say much after the race. 

Eli Tomac: “It was a tougher day for us at St. Louis, but the good thing is that we didn't lose too many points and we are still tied for the lead. I'm looking forward to the last five races, and doing what we can to get back up on top."

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4/5/2026 7:06pm
Windhamfan wrote:

God Awful. It’s embarrassing at this point so why not just tell everyone what’s wrong? 

RDnutz wrote:

he doesn't owe you - or any of us- that. Get over it.

It’s a respect thing. 
Taking fans for fools won’t win him adoration. 

And yes, he needs fans. KTM, Alpinestar, Bell, Oakley and more NEED people to buy in to the Tomac brand & Eli needs it to maintain his high market value. 

By being open & honest, the fans feel like they’re included. Shutting them out because it’s “none of their business” isn’t a good thing. 

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RDnutz
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4/6/2026 8:05am

entitled to your opinion but don't think it applies here. Tomac's legend is etched into the history books and fans and sponsors are not jumping off the bandwagon as he rolls towards retirement on his own terms.

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OldPro277
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4/6/2026 8:52am
RDnutz wrote:
entitled to your opinion but don't think it applies here. Tomac's legend is etched into the history books and fans and sponsors are not jumping off...

entitled to your opinion but don't think it applies here. Tomac's legend is etched into the history books and fans and sponsors are not jumping off the bandwagon as he rolls towards retirement on his own terms.

Correct---  16 years of Pro racing , he's already cemented his legacy and has done quite well for his 'sponsors' and amassed tens of thousands of fans over the years .Not sure if him keeping his personal business/issues/injury between him,his family and employers at this point will  tarnish anything.lol

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kpiper
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4/6/2026 9:28am

Where is an interview with Ian about this? No one in the media has asked him what is going on with Tomac?

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3strokemx
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4/6/2026 10:18am

On the broadcast they said the team went to California over the break to find a good setting for the upcoming East rounds.


I'm not an engineer but isn't California known for having shit dirt?  Or atleast different than St Louis dirt?

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davistld01
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4/6/2026 10:43am
kpiper wrote:

Where is an interview with Ian about this? No one in the media has asked him what is going on with Tomac?

I doubt seriously that Ian would spill the beans because he wouldn't want to give the competition any ammo. And, the media wouldn't dare pressure him on it for fear of getting "cut off".

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4/6/2026 11:02am Edited Date/Time 4/6/2026 11:06am
RDnutz wrote:
entitled to your opinion but don't think it applies here. Tomac's legend is etched into the history books and fans and sponsors are not jumping off...

entitled to your opinion but don't think it applies here. Tomac's legend is etched into the history books and fans and sponsors are not jumping off the bandwagon as he rolls towards retirement on his own terms.

OldPro277 wrote:
Correct---  16 years of Pro racing , he's already cemented his legacy and has done quite well for his 'sponsors' and amassed tens of thousands of...

Correct---  16 years of Pro racing , he's already cemented his legacy and has done quite well for his 'sponsors' and amassed tens of thousands of fans over the years .Not sure if him keeping his personal business/issues/injury between him,his family and employers at this point will  tarnish anything.lol

Those who have been Tomac superfans for a decade will think this. But there's always new people coming in, with new money to spend. Kids who were born in 2010 who don't share the same affinity with ET3 as you do & will spend their money on the riders who win their hearts right now, rather than based on legend. Nothing stays the same. When I was 11 years old (1991) I couldn't give a fcuk about Johnny O'Mara and Ricky Johnson, but I was all about Damon Bradshaw &Jeff Matisavich.
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ando
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4/6/2026 11:38am

Why is everyone convinced it’s not age?  Eli is 33; at some point he won’t be as good as he was.  In fact it often happens exactly this way - nothing obviously wrong but suddenly the results just aren’t there.

In 2001 MC was 29; the year before he’d won his 7th SX title.  First three rounds he goes 1-3-1, then Ricky wins in Phoenix and MC never wins another SX race.

It may be other things but to categorically rule out age catching up with him is either extreme naivety or blind fanaticism.

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OldPro277
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4/6/2026 11:42am
RDnutz wrote:
entitled to your opinion but don't think it applies here. Tomac's legend is etched into the history books and fans and sponsors are not jumping off...

entitled to your opinion but don't think it applies here. Tomac's legend is etched into the history books and fans and sponsors are not jumping off the bandwagon as he rolls towards retirement on his own terms.

OldPro277 wrote:
Correct---  16 years of Pro racing , he's already cemented his legacy and has done quite well for his 'sponsors' and amassed tens of thousands of...

Correct---  16 years of Pro racing , he's already cemented his legacy and has done quite well for his 'sponsors' and amassed tens of thousands of fans over the years .Not sure if him keeping his personal business/issues/injury between him,his family and employers at this point will  tarnish anything.lol

Those who have been Tomac superfans for a decade will think this. But there's always new people coming in, with new money to spend. Kids who...
Those who have been Tomac superfans for a decade will think this. But there's always new people coming in, with new money to spend. Kids who were born in 2010 who don't share the same affinity with ET3 as you do & will spend their money on the riders who win their hearts right now, rather than based on legend. Nothing stays the same. When I was 11 years old (1991) I couldn't give a fcuk about Johnny O'Mara and Ricky Johnson, but I was all about Damon Bradshaw &Jeff Matisavich.

What I stated wasn't as a "superfan" (although Eli, Jo ,Casey Cochran and Villo are/were  my favorites)  , I stated what I feel is common sense . At this stage of his life and career , I don't think he needs  to share any personal information that he doesn't feel comfortable with.  He's earned that right. At least from me --  I'm definitely not someone who feels "entitled" like some of these people on here. If Roczen, Eli, or Webb announced tomorrow that they were retiring, I would not go on a rampage and blowing up Vital demanding to know why , . Nor do I need to know the details of Jason Anderson's situation. That being said--IF I was on the front end of a Contract with the rider , I'd certainly at least ask what was up and get a satisfactory answer. But since I am not, they owe me absolutely nothing--  Watching their skills over the years was enough .......  but that's just me 😏--    Also-- as an extension on your observation of kids born in 2010-- your comment basically proved my point . Those kids are sucking  up on Deegan ,Davies and the Lawrences  and  typically don't "give a fuck" about the current Legends still circulating the track. 

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RDnutz
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4/6/2026 11:59am
ando wrote:
Why is everyone convinced it’s not age?  Eli is 33; at some point he won’t be as good as he was.  In fact it often happens...

Why is everyone convinced it’s not age?  Eli is 33; at some point he won’t be as good as he was.  In fact it often happens exactly this way - nothing obviously wrong but suddenly the results just aren’t there.

In 2001 MC was 29; the year before he’d won his 7th SX title.  First three rounds he goes 1-3-1, then Ricky wins in Phoenix and MC never wins another SX race.

It may be other things but to categorically rule out age catching up with him is either extreme naivety or blind fanaticism.

age certainly didn't make a Quantum leap overnight after the 1st half of the season where he looked really comfortable and was fastest guy on the track most the time. Simply look at his body posture and holding back on certain parts of the track to save big trauma on his body from then to now.

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RDnutz
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4/6/2026 12:02pm Edited Date/Time 4/6/2026 12:05pm
Those who have been Tomac superfans for a decade will think this. But there's always new people coming in, with new money to spend. Kids who...
Those who have been Tomac superfans for a decade will think this. But there's always new people coming in, with new money to spend. Kids who were born in 2010 who don't share the same affinity with ET3 as you do & will spend their money on the riders who win their hearts right now, rather than based on legend. Nothing stays the same. When I was 11 years old (1991) I couldn't give a fcuk about Johnny O'Mara and Ricky Johnson, but I was all about Damon Bradshaw &Jeff Matisavich.

the new kids coming in are usually brought in by their parents who mostly are longtime fans of the sport and current riders. Beyond that, there's a thing about respect for trailblazers who came before you. The world didn't start when junior got their 1st smart phone at age 10 🙃

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__bgreene
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4/6/2026 12:06pm

As Tomac’s #1 fan I think I’ll throw my speculation hat in the ring. 
He’s sick. A few rounds ago I remember seeing a gigantic cold sore on his mouth, and then he admitted he was sick at the next round. Go forward a couple more weeks, this slump happens, and he admits he was “sick” again at Birmingham and he isn’t really improving. On the gate after the sight lap he was sweating buckets. 
He seems upbeat about getting back on top this weekend so maybe it’s finally improving but only time will tell. I’m not losing faith on him bringing this title home 

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