Image: Octopi Media.

Team USA’s Eli Tomac admits that ‘second place doesn’t sit well’ after finishing runner-up behind Australia in the 2024 Motocross of Nations (MXoN), despite being called into the team at the 11th hour alongside Cooper Webb and Aaron Plessinger, and challenging for the MXGP class victory on Sunday.

Tomac was extraordinary in his return to the Nations, claiming P2 on track in race one (MXGP/MX2) and then backing that result up with third in the final encounter (MXGP/Open), which he led through the first half of the race.

It was a fitting performance from the 31-year-old, who has already announced that he will retire from full-time competition at the end of next season, and one that saw him effectively lead Webb and Plessinger to the overall podium in convincing fashion. The opportunity to challenge the MXGP World Championship was a welcome one for Tomac, finishing second in the individual classification behind multi-time world champion Tim Gajser.

“We put in a strong effort, that’s all I’ve gotta say,” Tomac said. “Unfortunately, a little short there, but everyone was consistent and nobody by any means blew it – we did very well in that way. The track was very challenging… I think for what it was, we were very strong – just a little short.

“It was last minute, but as racers we know. That’s why we came here and we showed up, and we raced. I wouldn’t have come if I was not going to be able to give my 100 percent effort, so yeah, second place doesn’t sit well.”

Tomac’s most recent apperance with the United States team was at RedBud in 2022, where he led the team to victory alongside Chase Sexton and Justin Cooper. Next year’s MXoN will return to America, with Ironman Raceway to host the 2025 edition next October.