Eli Tomac made a spectacular return to the Vancouver Supercross scene, capturing the first victory in the city in a remarkable 20 years by outpacing renowned competitor Ken Roczen in the thrilling opening round of the World Supercross Championship at the iconic BC Place.
Although Ken Roczen showcased his exceptional speed by winning the SuperPole with an impressive lap time of 50.742 seconds, Tomac and fellow racer Joey Savatgy closely trailed, proving they were serious contenders for the crown.
The German rider, Roczen, who is also the defending WSX champion, demonstrated that he could maintain his racing momentum during the first moto. However, the unique three-race format allowed Tomac to capitalize on his experience, ultimately sealing his overall victory by triumphing in both the second and third races.
“It was a fantastic evening of racing,” Tomac noted in a post-race release. “Kenny rode well in the first two races, and we were battling out there. I found my rhythm in the last couple of races, and everything just clicked. The energy from the Vancouver crowd was incredible, and I’m looking forward to the next round in Perth.”
Joey Savatgy demonstrated remarkable consistency, finishing third, second, and third in the three motos, which was enough to secure him a solid third overall in the final rankings.
Colt Nichols delivered a strong performance to finish fourth, while veteran racer Vince Friese completed the top five with a commendable effort.
The SX2 division mirrored the competitive spirit of the 450s early in the event. Max Anstie, a defending champion and wildcard entrant, showcased his skills by winning the SuperPole and clinching the Moto 1 victory, racing past Ryder Kingsford with ease. Anstie’s potential for an overall win slipped away, however, when a crash in Moto 3 led to a ninth-place finish in that race, putting an end to his pursuit.
Shane McElrath emerged as the dominant force in the SX2 category, stepping up his game and claiming victory in both the second and third motos after a slow start. “It was a good race,” McElrath remarked. “I had a slow start to the night, but I regrouped and got the win in the next two. It was just about minimizing mistakes but overall, it was a great night of racing. This has been a lot of fun, racing in front of a new crowd and now can’t wait for Perth.”
Anstie’s early mishap knocked him out of contention for overall victory, but his strong front-running performances earlier in the evening allowed him to secure second overall.
Canada’s Cole Thompson capped off the podium with a well-earned third-place finish.
Enzo Lopes finished in fourth place, followed closely by Coty Schock, who rounded out the top five in this exhilarating competition.
Complete Results
WSX (450s)
1. Eli Tomac (100 points)
2. Ken Roczen (84)
3. Joey Savatgy (79)
4. Colt Nichols (74)
5. Vince Friese (65)
6. Mitchell Oldenburg (61)
7. Gregory Aranda (54)
8. Matt Moss (52)
9. Anthony Bourdon (32)
10. Ryan Breece (31)
11. Boris Maillard (31)
12. Dean Wilson (29)
13. Luke Clout (28)
14. Cade Clason (26)
15. Lucas Dunka (24)
16. Cedric Soubeyras (DNS)
SX2 (250s)
1. Shane McElrath (89)
2. Max Anstie* (79)
3. Cole Thompson (79)
4. Enzo Lopes (76)
5. Coty Schock (74)
6. Kyle Chisholm (59)
7. Ryder Kingsford (52)
8. Kaleb Barham (50)
9. Cullen Park (35)
10. Maxime Desprey (34)
11. Derek Kelley (33)
12. Brice Maylin (32)
13. Calvin Fonvieille (30)
14. Noah Viney (23)
15. Preston Boespflug (20)
16. Julien Lebeau (20)
*Finishes above Cole Thompson due to higher placed finish (1st) in the event’s races
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**Interview with Eli Tomac Following His Victory in Vancouver Supercross**
**Editor**: Eli, congratulations on your spectacular victory at the Vancouver Supercross! Can you walk us through your experience during the races?
**Eli Tomac**: Thank you! It was a fantastic evening of racing. The energy from the Vancouver crowd was incredible. I had to shake off some nerves, especially with Ken Roczen pushing hard right from the start. He won the SuperPole, which set the pace for us all.
**Editor**: Ken showed impressive speed in the first moto, but you managed to turn it around in the subsequent races. What was your strategy?
**Eli Tomac**: My strategy was all about finding my rhythm. Ken rode exceptionally well in the first race, and it was great racing between us. But I’ve been in these situations before and knew I had to capitalize on the three-race format. Everything just clicked for me in the last two motos, and I’m really pleased with how it turned out.
**Editor**: You mentioned the crowd—how did their support motivate you during the races?
**Eli Tomac**: The crowd in Vancouver was electric! Their cheers really pushed me to ride harder and stay focused. Racing in front of such passionate fans makes a huge difference, and I felt that energy propelling me, especially when I managed to get ahead in the second and third races.
**Editor**: Looking ahead, what are your thoughts on the next round in Perth?
**Eli Tomac**: I’m really looking forward to Perth! Each venue has its own challenges, and I’ll be preparing hard to keep the momentum going. I’ll be giving it my all to make the most of that event, just as I did here in Vancouver.
**Editor**: Great to hear! any words for your fans who have supported you through your journey?
**Eli Tomac**: Just a huge thank you! Your support means the world to me. I wouldn’t be able to do this without you all cheering for me. Let’s keep this energy going into the next rounds!
**Editor**: Thanks, Eli! Best of luck in Perth, and we can’t wait to see how you perform next!
**Eli Tomac**: Thank you! See you all there!
Mat. Once I found my groove in the last two races, everything fell into place. I focused on minimizing mistakes and taking it one lap at a time, which paid off well.
**Editor**: It sounds like your experience played a significant role. How did you feel about the overall atmosphere in BC Place?
**Eli Tomac**: The atmosphere was electric! The Vancouver crowd really brought the energy, and it felt amazing to race in front of such passionate fans. The support was overwhelming, and it pushed me to perform even better.
**Editor**: You mentioned looking forward to the next round in Perth. What are your goals heading into that event?
**Eli Tomac**: My goal is to keep this momentum going. Perth will be a different challenge, but I’m focused on maintaining my form and being consistent. I want to secure as many points as I can and keep the championship race close. Competing against top riders like Ken and Joey keeps me sharp and motivated.
**Editor**: Speaking of competitors, Joey Savatgy had solid performances as well. What do you think of the level of competition in this championship?
**Eli Tomac**: The level of competition is incredibly high. Joey has proven he can finish strong, and Ken is always a threat. This championship format really brings out the best in everyone, and it’s exciting to see. We all push each other to improve, and that’s what makes the racing so thrilling.
**Editor**: In the SX2 division, Shane McElrath showed his strength as well. What do you think about the younger talent coming up?
**Eli Tomac**: Shane and the young riders are proving they can adapt quickly to the pressure of these races. Their ability to perform at a high level is impressive, and it’s a sign that the future of the sport is bright. We need that excitement to keep the sport thriving.
**Editor**: Thanks for sharing your insights, Eli. Congratulations again on your victory, and best of luck in Perth!
**Eli Tomac**: Thank you! I’m excited for what’s next and appreciate all the support from the fans!
