Eli Tomac will be out for the remaining Monster Energy AMA Supercross championship, following a main event incident at Empower Field in Denver, Colo., on Saturday night.
While jumping the rhythm section with 16 minutes to go, Tomac’s left foot sustained a hard impact on the landing. He slowed, pulled off the track and eventually rode to the Alpinestars medical unit trailer with his left leg raised.
According to Star Racing Yamaha team manager Jeremy Coker, Tomac ruptured his Achilles tendon during the incident and will be unable to continue the season.
Heartbroken 💔 @elitomac suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon during the 450 main event in Denver. pic.twitter.com/AZ4vd3OOzx
— Star Racing Yamaha (@StarRacingYam) May 7, 2023
Tomac entered the Colorado round as the series leader, 18 points ahead of Honda HRC’s Chase Sexton.
As Sexton went on to win the main event, he has now taken control of the championship. Since Tomac and Red Bull KTM’s Cooper Webb (also injured) currently hold the second and third spots in the points, the next active rider to challenge Sexton would be H.E.P. Motorsports’ Ken Roczen, who is 43 points behind.
As it is only possible to earn 25 points per race, Sexton is essentially the champion-elect.
The No. 23 will officially earn the title next weekend at Rice Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Meanwhile, Tomac will focus on his recovery from the sidelines. It has been one of the No. 1 Star Racing Yamaha rider’s career-best seasons, with seven wins and 11 total podiums. Notably, Tomac slid into second-place on the all-time Supercross wins list this season, with 51 victories to his credit.