Tomac ruled out of remainder of 2026 Pro Motocross season following neck injury
Eli Tomac has sustained a hyperextended anterior longitudinal ligament and partial muscle tear, ending his campaign early despite holding a strong championship position.
American motocross rider Eli Tomac will miss the remainder of the 2026 Pro Motocross season, beginning with the upcoming Hangtown round, after sustaining a significant neck injury during the season opener. The incident occurred at Fox Raceway in Pala, California, where Tomac crashed with fellow competitor Garrett Marchbanks early in Moto 1.
Medical assessments following the accident diagnosed Tomac with a hyperextended anterior longitudinal ligament and a partial tear of the left sternocleidomastoid muscle. The team has confirmed that surgery is not expected to be required, but Tomac has been advised to allow the tear to repair before resuming competition. Consequently, his return date remains undetermined.
The injury marks the latest in a series of accidents for Tomac, which began at the conclusion of the Monster Energy Supercross portion of the SuperMotocross World Championship (SMX). Tomac had recently switched to the KTM 450 SX-F Factory Edition, expressing enthusiasm for the bike’s engine package prior to the crash. In a statement, Tomac noted that the racing incident early in the season had dampened his outlook for the outdoors campaign, though he intended to follow medical advice and rest with the goal of returning sometime this season.
Despite failing to earn points at Fox Raceway, Tomac remains fifth in the SuperMotocross standings. He holds a 206-point buffer above the cutline, which sits at 20th place and guarantees a start in the SMX Playoffs. However, the lack of a confirmed return timeline raises questions regarding his ability to compete in the championship’s final stages.
The team has not provided a specific timeline for his return to the track. While Tomac’s position in the standings currently secures his playoff eligibility, the uncertainty surrounding his physical recovery leaves his participation in the remainder of the Pro Motocross season in doubt.
