Image: Octopi Media.

Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing has officially extended its contract with Eli Tomac for 2024, set to return from the injury that denied him any chance of clinching this year’s 450SX crown and racing on for at least one more season.

Next year will mark 30-year-old Tomac’s third year onboard the YZ450F, with the Star Racing team in which he won both the Monster Energy Supercross and Pro Motocross titles with on debut.

“Well, first off, I’d like to say the end of Eli Tomac racing a motorcycle was not the second to last round of the 2023 Supercross season!” he confirmed. “So with that, I’m excited to announce that I’ve signed for another racing season with the Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing team.

“My recovery has been going very well and is ahead of schedule in terms of the protocol. I believe I will be back on the motorcycle around the six-month mark in preparation for the 2024 racing season. The motorcycle and team were great last season, we were so close to the championship, but accidents happen and that’s racing. I’m eager to get another shot at competing for the championship!”

This year saw Tomac surpass Supercross greats and claim the runner-up spot on the all-time win list with his 51st premier-class victory at the Glendale Triple Crown. He had a commanding lead in the championship, but was sidelined after rupturing his Achilles tendon at the penultimate round in Denver.

“We couldn’t be happier to have Eli onboard for next year,” commented Jeremy Coker, Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing 450 team manager. “It definitely was a gut punch at Denver to have the championship taken away that way.

“We were hoping that Eli would come back. I don’t think anyone would fault him for calling it a career with what he has accomplished, but we’re happy to see that Eli still has that fire and can’t wait to go racing. There’s definitely some unfinished business, and we look forward to next season!”

Yamaha Racing department manager Jim Roach added: “We’re excited to have Eli back for 2024. It’s not only great for Yamaha and the team to have him return, but for the sport as a whole. We’re also happy that his recovery is going well and to see that he is reenergised and eager to go racing. Together we’ve enjoyed a lot of success with the YZ450F and look to continue that success next year.”