Eli Tomac has become a winner with KTM, less than two weeks after his partnership with the Austrian clan was announced. Tomac debuted at the second fixture of the 2025 FIM World Supercross Championship, Vancouver’s BC Place, and almost went perfect against his historic rival, Ken Roczen.
Tomac, the current champion in WSX, looked competitive aboard the KTM 450 SX-F almost immediately, which left fans around the world frothing at the mouth. In a post-race interview with Vital MX’s Lewis Phillips, Tomac recounted the positives and negatives that came in his eye-opening experience in Canada. There is chatter about his rider triangle, technique changes and more. It’s an unusually candid chat with the typically reserved star.
This interview was first posted next to discussions with Ken Roczen, Christian Craig, Joey Savatgy, Vince Friese, Ian Harrison, Max Anstie, Cullin Park and Kyle Peters.
A Statement Debut
Tomac’s move to KTM was nothing short of seismic in the Supercross world. After years competing on Japanese machinery, the champion made the bold switch, joining forces with KTM’s Red Bull Factory Racing team. In just his first event on the KTM 450 SX-F at Vancouver, he showed he was not just adapting — he was asserting himself.
At BC Place, Tomac posted a 1-2-1 across the three motos, securing overall victory in dramatic fashion. He passed Jason Anderson in the first moto, battled tightly with Roczen in the second (finishing second), and then went wire-to-wire in the final main event for the win.
Reflecting on his performance, Tomac noted how challenging yet rewarding the track was: “It was a treacherous track but also technical enough to make up time.” That balance played right into the strengths of his new KTM.
Adapting to a New Machine
One of the biggest talking points from Tomac’s switch is the technical shift — moving from the aluminum-frame bikes he’s ridden for most of his career, to KTM’s steel-frame 450 SX-F. In his interview, he said he felt an extra “G” when riding the KTM, describing it as “more planted to the ground.”
But the transition hasn’t just been about frame design. Tomac, who has favored a cable clutch throughout his career, was pleasantly surprised that KTM built him a cable-clutch system, rather than forcing the standard hydraulic clutch. He explained that his riding style — particularly how he handles turns and whoops — really benefits from the responsiveness and feel of a cable clutch.
On top of that, Tomac praised KTM’s ergonomics: he said the “triangle” of the bike — the positioning of foot pegs, bars, and seat — fit him very naturally. It’s not just a new team or new bike; this feels like a setup that’s been tailored to him.
A Bold Risk — With Reward
Many see Tomac’s move to KTM as a “late-career roll of the dice.” He’s already one of the sport’s legends, and switching manufacturers at this stage comes with risk. But his early adaptation suggests there’s more upside than danger.
His partnership with KTM also reunites him with power players like Ian Harrison and Roger De Coster. That team dynamic could be incredibly potent — blending Tomac’s raw experience with KTM’s engineering and ambition.
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This wasn’t just a one-night test run. KTM’s announcement makes clear that this is a long-term plan: Tomac is signed to race the KTM 450 SX-F for their 2026 SuperMotocross / Supercross program.
His performance in Vancouver sends a strong message: Tomac isn’t just surviving the switch — he’s thriving. And for rival riders like Roczen, Anderson, Christian Craig, and others already mentioned, the challenge just grew sharper.