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Aldon took RC, RV, RD and JA to an entirely new level. He is doing the same with CW now. I would think Eli's Dad would want to see if that could happen for his son. Eli only has a couple of years left to pull this off. I realize it is highly unlikely though.
Time for major change.
The Shop
The FIM will change the rules to keep him.
Tomac to KTM? KTM has the 1st and 2nd place rider in SX right now. In MX, Musquin will be fast. A healthy Baggett has proven he has Eli's speed. With how well Webb has been so far on the KTM, there is no reason to believe that he won't be as fast or even faster than Tomac outdoors. It's very likely that KTM will be 1and 2 outdoors over a healthy Tomac this summer. If I'm KTM, I tell Eli "Thanks, but no thanks". They do not need Tomac.
Yamaha and Husqvarna are set.
JGR....they are viewed as the second class citizens of the factory teams. Plus there is the going concern after this year.
Honda? Plausible, but......Do they see the Eli Tomac that rode so well on Honda in the past, or the Eli Tomac that has choked away past SX championships, and is imploding right in front of everyones eyes this year? Also, with Cianciarulo being the other guy that will get big money, which one do you do after? Eli is on the down side of his career and Adam has more potential years ahead of him. If I'm Honda, I tell Eli "Don't call us, we'll call you".
Kawi is definitely going to make a play on AC. So if you are Kawi, who do you want on a multi year contract (same question Honda is asking themselves)? Eli or Adam? I think Savatgy stays (with a one year contract), with ET or AC. If Joey underperforms, then Forkner comes up next year. Kawi has options to be great over the next 3-5 years.
So I really think that its the Cianciarulo piece that will be the driving force behind where Tomac ends up.
I have said it about 10 times in the past month...if I am in Eli's shoes right now I would beg Roger for a ride. Sure, he can win on other brands and he doesnt do well with change (from what we have seen), and maybe he would make more money at Kawi or Honda. However, if this is essentially my last contract Im signing im putting myself on the best equipment for the best chance to win titles and try to get an SX title before I hang it up. Could make up the difference in pay with win bonuses and titles.
Sorry for my english
Also according to the standards of the MXProRiders, is getting rather old , the moment to move up may be felt insistent.
What does he want?
From what I heard, he is not completely satisfied by the bike and the team. (he is very far from being dissatisfied, but few things were, in a way, not so great)
I suppose that if he is still ready to perform again a 250 season, he can be a really good option for the others 250 top teams (and reciprocally, those teams for Dylan), as KTM/Husqvarna, ProCircuit.
Eli has the best trainer he got to where he is
With his dad
I still think Aldon would love to work with Eli. Johnny T needs to step aside for the next 2-3 years and see what is possible. Eli should be a dominate rider right now. He is so close.
Pit Row
BTW that makes already many foreigners.
Also since ever, Geico Team never appeared to have any willingness to hire any French rider. (if I remenber well their only attempt, remained only as an attempt, was C.Pourcel for the Outdoors 450 2011)
1) Most likely Marv does not win SX this year. KTM won't pay him the same money next year. Will be 30 years old.
2) If true DeCoster liked Eli before he will still want him now. That would be exciting for him and Aldon to take him to another level. Eli is still the fastest guy when he is on. Think how fulfilling it would be for Roger/Aldon to figure out how to keep him "on" all the time.
3) Eli MUST be fed up with the Kawi breaking and having such a hard time getting comfy on the bike. How many times has that bike broken on him over the years? Hard to keep track!
4) Eli said that his big goal is the SX championship. Saying if he won it just once he would feel his career complete. Why would he think he can win it staying on Kawi when up to now he has not? He only has two years left to get it.
To those that say KTM does not have the money, I don't buy that. To get a guy like Eli they would find a way. What would 2020 be like with ET, CW, MM and BB all on KTM and then add in JA21 and ZO16. Geez. They would sell a ton of bikes!
This scenario is one reason though why I think Honda wants him back.
The look on his face when asked was priceless!
Suzuki finds money, gets serious again and signs Tomac and Bogle
Honda goes Roczen and AC
Kawasaki goes for youth with Savatgy and Forkner (early bump up to the 450s)
KTM shocks everyone and goes Webb and Wilson
Husky no change with Zach and Anderson
Yamaha goes Barcia and Marv
Hope he gets back to Honda
Hope he gets back to Honda
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