When Tomac returns

The only thing that would put him on top of the list is if he gets more wins and championships than RC

I‘m gonna kinda separate out the era of the 500s. So this will just be early-mid 90s onward. All time SX and MX combined, I have Tomac currently behind Carmichael, McGrath, Villopoto, and Dungey. And honestly I’m not sure he can crack that top four without at least two more years of racing. He’s number 5 though, and being behind those guys is nothing to be ashamed of.

In 2024 I expect to see some epic 3 way Eli, Sexton and Jett Dogfights for the Checkered flag. 

A healthy Jett puts all RC’s numbers at risk.

In his first season he got 11 overalls so he already beat Chad and is one behind RV not bad stats for one season. 
 

Will he get to 72 SX and 76 for MX who knows let’s get the popcorn out sit back and see gonna be a wild ride….

Getting 102 outdoor wins will be a tall feat to match so let’s see what he’s got in the tank 😊

He struggled to beat Sexton. No way he's gonna get close to Jett

First off, Eli is only racing SX.  Its more technical and with shorter races, Jett will eventually get a poor start and with the shorter race format it will be hard to come back from to win.  Jett is fantastic and he had an amazing outdoor season, but SX is different than MX.  I see him as a definite threat for the title, but I wouldn't start projecting out win totals just yet.  Not sure what comes of the outdoors next season.  I do expect Chase to be right there with him.  I doubt Eli races the outdoors unless its maybe a few rounds here and there.

If Eli 2022 comes back he could beat Jett. But who knows what Eli will be like in 2024? Every rider drops off at some point. When is the question. The only guy I see capable of turning up his level of speed to take on Jett is possibly Eli.

Bingo

What if his comeback is like Dungeys?

I like Sexton and he is unbelievably fast, but I will hold judgment on him being a contender next year until I see if he can be as fast on the KTM. One bike to another is hard enough but going to a KTM is a whole other beast. Lots of complaints about the current model, I think Webb jumped to a much better bike back when he did it. 
As far as Eli, I guess it depends on which Eli shows up and Jett….well I guess we will see how fast he rides the 450 on an SX track. Does his effortless smooth as glass style translate to the same speed on a SX track? Perhaps the 3 SMX races will give some indication. 
The pace Jett and Chase were running this year would have been a handful for Eli to be sure.

It’s not just Jett’s pace.  It’s that his starts are insanely good and he almost never makes mistakes.

I feel those are his two big advantages.  

Huge ET fan but Eli won’t be back on the bike until November. That’s only two months prep. While an argument can be made his body will be healed and rested, not racing for 9 months is going to have an affect, especially early on. The 18 is coming in with a massive amount of confidence and speed as well. The 23 is on a whole new bike which also will take some time. I think it may be a bit boring early in the season. (Or maybe all season?)

Deja New said the golden word there. A "Healthy" Jett. Certainly don't want to see Jett injured. RC went mostly uninjured. Not positive on the year, 2003 or 04', when he sustained a torn ACL preparing for SX. That only set him back one SX season, and he was in for the nationals that year, but that is the key for Jett. Does he stay healthy throughout his career? That, and someone else stepping up, will determine just how many race wins, championships and records he earns.

When Tomac returns... Jett will beat him too. End of thread.

I think Eli will train so well, knowing this unique challenge that’s presented itself, he’ll be so prepared and so motivated, I expect him to take it to Jett immediately with zero intimidation. 

I hope we get a '22 version of Jason Anderson to add to the 'fights and lets not forget Roczen

I'm sure Tomac is looking at Jett as a fun challenge. Tomac is in the part of his career he doesn't need to prove anything. He's already one of the greats. I'm sure he sees Jett as his biggest challenge right now. Yes on some nights Chase will challenge but Jett will be right there every race. As fans, what more can you ask for?

TM

Let's not forget Kenny can still ride fast.

I'm looking forward to seeing them all line up for SX . It will be a shame to not see how they would match up outdoors.  I think Jett would have won this title regardless but I think Eli would have prevented a perfect season .

CaNt WaIt UnTiL the CoNtEnDeRs ArE bAcK lIkE AnDeRsOn aC aNd bArCiA

You guys realize we just watched total domination by a young kid in his very first 450 series for the first time ever, right?  If he can stay healthy (and that’s a big if in this sport), there is zero chance that a 30-something Eli can come back from an injury as severe as the one that put him out and be ready to increase his pace to the level necessary to beat Jett.  It ain’t gonna happen.  For the sake of exciting racing, I hope I’m wrong.

I just went to Ironman yesterday and watched Jett simply walk away from a healthy Supercross champion on his home town track in front of a very Chase-friendly crowd.  Chase was pushing so hard to try to keep up, but he has nothing for Jett.  No one is beating a healthy Jett for quite some time, I’m afraid.

3 points:

1) When RC was out for a season with knee surgery, it seemed everyone forgot about him and how fast he was. They did that to their own peril

2) When RV was out for a season with a broken leg, he came back faster right away.

3) Eli/Chase led the field by a larger margin each week last year than Jett/Chase did this year.

Tomac will be a beast to deal with week in and week out.

And a bonus stat:

Tomac is only 22 SX wins from surpassing McGrath's insurmountable, impossible 72 SX wins.

I say Eli should race 3 more years and go for McGrath's win record.  McGrath's 7 SX championship record is probably safe for now.

Tomac behind Dungey? 
 

I’m a big fan of Dungey, but not sure what universe he would be behind Dungey in.

I think Tomac is ahead of McGrath. McGrath is king of SX, but he only has one outdoor title. Overall I think Tomac is ahead of McGrath.

Tomac and Villopoto are probably tied now.

1.  RC was in his prime in 2003, as was RV.  Eli will be 31 when he gets back to racing next year.

2. Gap to the rest of the field is irrelevant.  Chase and Eli traded wins, made passes etc.   Chase showed Jett a wheel once in 16 motos, and didn’t lead a lap the entire series.

Granted Eli might give him trouble occasionally but how do you beat a guy who is at least as fast as you, holeshots damn near every time, and almost never makes mistakes?

As always, Dungey is extremely disrespected on these lists.

SX Championships: Dungey 4, Tomac 2

MX Championships: Dungey 3, Tomac 4

SX Wins: Dungey 34, Tomac 51

MX Wins: Dungey 39, Tomac 32.

Head To Head:

14 SX: Dungey

14 MX: Dungey

15 SX: Dungey

15 MX: Dungey

16 SX: Dungey

16 MX: Tomac

17 SX: Dungey

Combined Championships:

Carmichael 12

McGrath 8

Dungey 7

Villopoto 6

Tomac 6

Tomac has been on the big bike now for 10 years. Carmichael retired after 7 years, Villopoto after 7 years, Dungey after 7.5 years, and McGrath after 10 years, 5 of which were SX only.

I don’t see an argument for Tomac over any of those guys.

Tomac was injured in 2015. And then spent 2016 trying to come back. So that’s two years he lost. He was on his way to obliterating the field.

I don’t have Dungey as underrated.

He awesome and had a great career!

I just don’t put him above Tomac. 

I won’t even get into comparing competition. Dungey didn’t exactly have a murders row the year his main competition was Alessi.

You can certainly put Dungey ahead of Tomac. Just don’t think you will have many who agree with you.

Why don't we wait and see if he can actually beat Jett first

At 31 years old, I wouldn’t bank on it happening.