Although he has had to relinquish his Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship, Eli Tomac has given no indications that his time in the sport is done, and it was widely accepted throughout the industry that he was even working a new deal with his current Monster Energy Kawasaki team. Then last night our Steve Matthes dropped the biggest silly season bomb in quite awhile, as it appears Tomac may sign with Monster Energy/Star Racing Yamaha for 2022!
Soooo word on the street is Tomac going to Yamaha next year, wow. I had heard he had agreed to 2 more at Kawi but I guess it didn't get officially done. That's gonna be weird... #BLUCRU
— Steve Matthes (@pulpmx) May 5, 2021
This is a massive shakeup in the paddock, and while neither the rider nor the team will likely officially announce the move until later in the AMA year when current deals expire, this all occurs at almost the exact time most high-profile team switches actually get signed (which is in the April-May sector).
The rumor patrol shows this as one of the more dynamic years for rider deals. In its first year in the 450 class, Monster Energy/Star Racing Yamaha squad showed great promise as Aaron Plessinger took major strides forward in supercross. Then we heard Red Bull KTM made an offer for Plessinger’s services, and Jason Anderson was actually rumored to be talking to Star Yamaha to take Plessinger’s spot. This Tomac news is a shocker. Tomac has ridden for Kawasaki since the 2016 season. The Colorado native earned three 450 Class titles in the Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship (2017, 2018, and 2019) and the 2020 450SX Monster Energy AMA Supercross title with the Monster Energy Kawasaki team.
We shall see how it all unfolds for all the free agents from here.
