Cycle News Staff | August 14, 2024
Can’t say we had this one in our bingo card! Today news broke that Eli Tomac is set to compete in all four rounds of the 2024 FIM World Supercross Championship (WSX). Tomac previously raced and won the inaugural round of WSX back in 2022 in England as a wild card entry and will rejoin the series with the CDR Yamaha Team. The number-three is still recovering from a thumb-injury and is said to be returning for Pro Motocross this weekend at Budds Creek.
Tomac is set to race the full WSX championship at the end of 2024. Photo: Brown Dog Wilson
“I’m really excited to be rejoining the WSX grid this year and I’m hoping I can relive some of the success I had in Cardiff in 2022,” Tomac said. “I’ve not raced at any of the venues on the calendar, or even raced in Australia or Abu Dhabi before so it’s going to be a new experience. I’ve had some pace in my riding this year and I’m looking forward to the season starting to see what we can achieve, hopefully picking up some podium finishes, and to also put on some amazing races for the fans.”
Tomac won the innagural WSX race back in 2022. Photo: WSX
So what does this mean? First of all, no he’s not leaving Star Racing for the CDR squad. Tomac is still contracted to race with the Monster Energy Star Racing Yamaha team here in the States and is likely to re-up his deal for 2025. The CDR team is the factory Yamaha effort in Australia and since they’re obliged to race the series, Star is essentially loaning Tomac out in order to keep him under a blue tent.
Looks like we’ll have a few more battles between these two.
We also suspect that more off-season gate drops will help keep Tomac fresh heading into 2025. He mentioned earlier this year that so much down time from his Achilles injury made returning in 2024 that much more difficult. Another injury at the end of the ’24 season isn’t doing him any favors. Plus four rounds (three with one double-header) doesn’t seem too crazy considering the off-time he’s taken since Denver.
Tomac won the St. Louis round of AMA Supercross earlier this year.
“We are extremely happy to be back for WSX 2024 and it doesn’t get any better having Eli Tomac as the headline rider for CDR,” said team Principal Craig Dack. “The way Eli goes about his racing is something I’ve admired for many years – he’s humble and a real fan favourite. But when he puts his helmet on he turns into one of the hardest charging and determined racers you will ever see. I have only met Eli a couple of times and to now be working with him in his quest to win a World Supercross Championship title will be a pleasure and an honour. I’d like to thank all the people who have made this process very smooth. Yamaha USA – Jim Roach, Star Racing, Monster Energy, Yamaha Australia, WSX, John Tomac and of course the star of the show, Eli.”
Craig Dack runs the CDR Yamaha team in Australia.
The following is a press release from WSX – As the countdown to the start of the 2024 season continues, the FIM World Supercross Championship (WSX) is delighted to confirm that Eli Tomac will join the series’ grid for the upcoming season. A legend and icon of the Motocross and Supercross scene, Tomac has forged an illustrious career and as an eight-time AMA Motocross and Supercross champion with more than 100 wins and 200 podiums, has garnered global acclaim for his incredible skill, unstoppable determination and natural fighting spirit.
By joining the grid for 2024, Tomac rejoins WSX where he made history in 2022 after winning the series’ inaugural Grand Prix at Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Wales, in a hard-fought evening of racing. As part of CDR Yamaha in the championship’s premier 450cc class, Tomac will be racing a factory Yamaha 450. His arrival promises to elevate excitement for the season ahead as the Colorado-born rider aims to take the fight to the series’ two-time reigning World Champion, Ken Roczen, who will also return for 2024.
WSX’s 2024 season gets underway on 26 October at BC Place in Vancouver, Canada, before a double-header at HBF Park in Perth, Australia, on 23-24 November, concluding at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates on 4 December.
