Image: Octopi Media.

Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Eli Tomac said ‘it was a bit of an off day for my riding’ after finishing a quiet fifth at Tampa, crucially able to keep his grasp on the 450SX red plate leaving Raymond James Stadium.

Intermittent rain made for challenging conditions throughout the night show, with Tomac finishing third in his heat after being passed by Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Aaron Plessinger through the whoops.

In the main event, Tomac was seventh following the opening lap, able to move forwards to finish fifth, but notably lacking the sheer speed seen throughout the majority of his stint in blue. He ultimately finished 31.870s behind race-winner Cooper Webb (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing).

“It was a bit of an off day for my riding,” Tomac recalled. “I struggled with finding a comfort zone during the night show, with the conditions being on the edge of slick and decent traction. Overall we learned a lot about those conditions for the future and I’m happy to still have the points lead.”

Aside from Anaheim 2’s Triple Crown where he fell heavily, the latest result marks Tomac’s lowest main event finish since Denver last year, where he was also fifth on his way to wrapping up the 450SX crown.

With Chase Sexton (Team Honda HRC) and Webb closing to within two and four points respectively of Tomac with the red plate, the 2023 450SX title fight is shaping up to be a three-way battle. Despite losing ground last weekend, Tomac has displayed the mental fortitude to be able to turn things around when his back is against the wall, the main event win in Houston a recent example.

Monster Energy Supercross moves back West this Saturday as the series continues with the postponed Oakland round at RingCentral Coliseum.