When Eli Tomac exited Empower Field in Denver, Colo., after rupturing his Achilles tendon on May 6, his first thought was, “I’m probably done.”
At that point, the two-time AMA Supercross champion had plenty to hang his hat on regarding his widely-esteemed 450cc class career. Earlier in the season, he had knocked out his 51st career victory, placing him second on the all-time wins list.
With that in mind, as Tomac stepped away from the spotlight to focus on his recovery, he quickly came to terms with what the Achilles injury could mean for his future. Retirement wasn’t out of the question, as Tomac had already been toying with the notion for several seasons.
“When I made the switch to Star Racing Yamaha, I was kind of on a yearly timeline for each season and that’s how I’ve been playing the game,” Tomac said during the pre-season press conference on Jan. 5.
But after departing from Monster Energy Kawasaki at the end of 2021 and moving to Star Racing Yamaha, Tomac seemed to find new life with the BluCrew. He swept both the Supercross and AMA Pro Motocross championships in his first season with Star Racing and was on track to back up his 450SX title prior to being injured last year.
“The injury was a scary thing to have happen, that’s for sure,” Tomac admitted. “But with our equipment, our boots and the way we sit on the motorcycle, you can get through this injury in six months.”
He labels his recovery as “smooth sailing,” as he was back riding a dirt bike in the middle of October — about five months after the injury occurred. In November, he hit his goal of being back on the Supercross track.
“Once I decided to go racing again, my neck stopped hurting and my back stopped hurting, so I was like, ‘I’m fresh, I’m ready to go,’” Tomac said, an uncharacteristic smile stretching across his face. “It may have extended (my career) a season or so.”
The No. 3 Star Racing Yamaha rider will commence his 11th full season of 450SX competition Saturday at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, Calif.
Despite the setbacks from injury, Tomac believes he’s physically and mentally on the same level he was prior to the start of the 2023 season — including the heartfelt sentiment and appreciation he’s had for the sport in his elder years.
“Since then (2022) and just as you get older, you enjoy those moments and the racing more and more and you fall more in love with it,” Tomac said. “We’re ready.”
He is currently signed to a Supercross-only contract with Star Racing, with an option for motocross.