Eli Tomac & Kawasaki Part Ways After 2021
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After a week of rumor and speculation, Monster Energy Kawasaki has confirmed that they have mutually agreed with Eli Tomac to part ways at the conclusion of the 2021 race season. The news has shaken up the pit area, as Tomac was anticipated to re-up with Monster Energy Kawasaki, but instead, will move to Monster Energy/Star Racing/Yamaha.
A Tuesday tweet from Steve Matthes of Pulp MX was the first major indication of the change, as Matthes stated that Eli Tomac’s negotiations with Monster Energy Kawasaki did not pan out and that the multi-time champion was in serious discussion with Yamaha.
We confirmed this development with individuals close to the situation, including Monster Energy/Star Racing/Yamaha, during the week but did not anticipate an announcement from any of the three groups (Tomac, Yamaha, Kawasaki) would occur until much later in the year.
Instead, Kawasaki issued a press release on Friday that explained the decision was mutual and that the rider and team are committed to pursuing the 2021 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship, with intentions of winning a fourth title in the 450 MX Class together. Below is the complete statement, including quotes from Team Manager Dan Fahie.
Monster Energy Kawasaki and Eli Tomac will not renew their rider agreement following the conclusion of the upcoming AMA Pro Motocross Championship following six successful seasons together and mutually deciding not to pursue a contract extension. As they look ahead to the upcoming Pro Motocross season, the team and Tomac are both committed to earning their fourth championship in the last five years with preparations starting this week.
“We are extremely proud of the success that Eli and the Monster Energy Kawasaki team achieved over the last six years,” said Kawasaki Senior Manager, Racing, Dan Fahie. “We have built a great relationship with Eli and his family and we are proud that Kawasaki played a strong role in Tomac’s racing legacy.”
The Monster Energy Kawasaki team and Tomac have enjoyed tremendous success during their six-year campaign with the Colorado-born rider earning four AMA championships on the Kawasaki KX™450. During his six years with the team Tomac lined up on the starting gate 165 times and earned 60 wins while only missing one scheduled main event. The 60 wins is the most by any rider during that time frame.
Monster Energy Kawasaki is primed to continue its AMA racing success in 2022 with a two-rider program that includes Adam Cianciarulo who propelled himself through the amateur ranks with Kawasaki Team Green. Cianciarulo earned the 2019 250cc AMA Pro Motocross championship and finished second in the 2020 450cc AMA Pro Motocross standings as a rookie and will be aiming for the top of the podium this summer.
One thing to note about all this…
Eli has always ridden KYB suspension, which is not factory on Kawasaki, but is on Yamaha. I wonder if that has any influence on the decision of moving over to Star. Or it could be the many factory failures he’s had. Last year he blew up his bike twice in one day… that doesn’t exactly instill confidence when hitting quads and throwing down.