We had heard this might happen last week. Monster Energy / Kawasaki has taken arguably the biggest available 450 rider off the market for 2018 and beyond. Kawasaki announced today that Eli Tomac has re-signed a multi-year deal with the team.
With Eli, Ken Roczen, Marvin Musquin and Cooper Webb all inked up for the next season, we will now wait to hear if Ryan Dungey re-signs with Red Bull / KTM, takes his services elsewhere or retires before any more big moves can take place.
Some other notable names with contracts ending at the end of 2017: JGRMX / Suzuki’s Justin Barcia, Monster Energy / Yamaha’s Chad Reed, Monster Energy / Kawasaki’s Josh Grant, Red Bull / KTM’s Trey Canard, Rockstar / Husqvarna’s Dean Wilson, both the Rocky Mountain ATV-MC / KTM riders, Davi Millsaps and Blake Baggett, and both the RCH / Suzuki riders, Broc Tickle and Justin Bogle. Once we hear Dungey’s decision to sign or retire, the rest of the puzzle pieces will fall into place.
Check out the press release from Monster Energy Kawasaki below…
Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A. has inked a multi-year contract extension with supercross and motocross star Eli Tomac to ride for the Monster Energy Kawasaki race team. The Colorado native is currently in the middle of an incredible win streak and title fight aboard his KX™450F motorcycle in Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship race.
“I’m very grateful for the opportunity to stay with Monster Energy Kawasaki,” said Tomac. “The team has put a lot of faith in me over the last year, which has given me the confidence I need to win. We have put in a lot of work and it is good to see it paying dividends.”
Tomac joined the team beginning with the 2016 season, where he captured one win and five podium finishes en route to fourth in the final supercross standings. He carried the momentum outdoors, earning a pair of overall victories and 10 podium results in a strong runner-up effort in the AMA Pro Motocross Championship. Tomac finished off the 2016 season with two MXGP wins and the Monster Energy Cup Championship.
Tomac’s second season with the team in 2017 has been a breakout one thus far, highlighted by eight race wins including a five-race winning streak. With three races remaining Tomac has earned fastest laps in 10 of the 14 main events and tops the rider point standings.
“Eli Tomac is an exceptional rider and athlete, and has successfully carried on the tradition of dominance with his KX450F,” said Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A. President Yoshi Tamura. “Eli epitomizes Kawasaki’s commitment to winning and we are very excited to ensure he’ll be part of the Monster Energy Kawasaki team for years to come!”
