Monster Energy Star Yamaha Racing’s Eli Tomac has been crowned the 2022 450SX champion after cruising to fifth at his home round at Empower Field At Mile High in Denver.

Tomac’s main rival, Jason Anderson (Monster Energy Kawasaki) claimed his third round victory in a row, but Tomac’s points’ advantage heading into Denver was comfortable enough that the Yamaha rider only needed to finish 14th or better to clinch the championship.

Team Honda HRC’s top qualifier, Chase Sexton, edged Tomac for the holeshot at the start of the Main event, with Anderson close behind in third.

However, Sexton’s lead was short-lived after he made a big mistake and went into the tuffblocks two laps later, allowing Tomac and Anderson to inherit first and second position respectively.

The Kawasaki rider caught and passed Tomac several laps later, who then settled into a contented rhythm as the two continued to lead Malcolm Stewart (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Racing), Justin Barcia (TLD Red Bull GasGas) and Marvin Musquin (Red Bull KTM).

Anderson put his head down and quickly stretched out a lead as the track continued to dry out in the day-time event, while Tomac went into championship-saving mode. He gave up second to Stewart then relinquished any podium result when Musquin got by.

Sexton, meanwhile, sliced his way back to fifth with five minutes remaining, before finding his way past a cruising Tomac as the laps ran down.

Anderson took the win, from Stewart and Musquin, with Sexton in fourth. Tomac’s fifth-place finish saw him claim the 2022 450SX Championship, to the elation of the packed Denver stadium.

Cooper Webb (Red Bull KTM), Barcia, Justin Brayton (SmarTop Bullfrog Spas Motoconcepts Honda), Mitchell Oldenburg (SmarTop Bullfrog Spas Motoconcepts Honda) and Austin Politelli (Honda) filled the remaining top 10 positions.

The final round of the 2022 Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship will be held at Sale Lake City, UT next weekend.

Detailed results