Tomac to MXoN? "Well, it's gonna be a discussion that's gonna be had.”
Chase Sexton’s collision with Justin Barcia in the first 450SMX moto of the SuperMotocross World Championship (SMX) Final in Las Vegas put a damper on the evening, as it knocked a title contender out of, well, contention, on the very first lap of the night. Later, Red Bull KTM Team Manager Ian Harrison explained to NBC/Peacock reporter Will Christien that Sexton had injured his hand, and X-rays would be needed to understand the severity.
The outcome of that injury will have a huge impact on Team USA for the Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations in two weeks, as Sexton is slated to race the MXGP class for the squad. We’re awaiting news on Sexton’s condition and if he will be able to line up on October 5-6. What if he can’t? Can a replacement be found? Eli Tomac would be the number-one candidate based on recent results. Eli already took himself out of consideration for the team a few weeks ago after the Ironman National, explaining that Sexton and Aaron Plessinger were more deserving 450 riders. With Sexton potentially out, Eli was asked in the SMX post-race press conference about the chances for jumping back into the event.
"Well, I mean, it's gonna be a discussion that's gonna be had over the next couple of days,” said Tomac. “But right now, it's an unknown. "
The original MX2 (250) selection for the team, Chance Hymas, is out with a knee injury and was replaced last week by Cooper Webb. Plessinger also tweaked his shoulder at the first SMX race in North Carolina but told us he believes he will be 100 percent by the MXoN in two weeks.
Will Sexton be able to race? Could Tomac fill in if he doesn’t? What happens if neither is able to race? We’ve reached out to the AMA for an update on the situation and will add more news whenever it becomes available.
Update: 4:20 p.m. Eastern
Yamaha announced Tomac will officially replace Sexton as the MXGP rider for the MXoN event. Tomac said the following in a Yamaha press release:
“Due to the unfortunate racing incident Chase was involved in at the final round of SMX, I was the next one in line to take his place for Team USA. Aaron, Cooper and I are ready to give it our best effort at Matterely Basin. This is very short notice for my team, but we are going to make it happen!”
