ANAHEIM WIN FOR ELI TOMAC AND HIS KTM

The Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Team opened the 2026 AMA Supercross Championships with a pair of convincing podium performances at Anaheim 1 at the weekend.

New KTM signing Eli Tomac captured a spectacular 450SX main event victory and with Germany’s Ken Roczen second and Tomac’s team-mate Jorge Prado claiming third position.

In his SMX World Championship debut with KTM, Tomac set the quickest time in Qualifying 1 and then was P2 on combined times within the famed Angel Stadium.

The decorated two-time 450SX champion from Cortez, Colorado, managed a strong start in 450SX heat one, charging to second position and holding firm to secure a direct transfer into the main event.

Following an initial race restart, the 33-year-old Tomac moved to the front of the field on the opening lap of the main event and controlled the race from the head of the pack, eventually taking the chequered flag with a closing advantage of 1.470 seconds in clinching the season-opening win – marking the 54th of his career in the premier division.

Eli Tomac: “This one feels good! Leading from the get-go like that is tough, because you need to really maintain focus the whole time, but my motorcycle was the best it was all day in the main event after a slight adjustment from the heat race.

“We went in the right direction, and this is the perfect way to start a new season and with my new team in Red Bull KTM Factory Racing. After a big off-season with both myself and the team testing and developing all over the place, it means a lot to achieve this early success together.”

Making his first appearance with Red Bull KTM Factory Racing in Supercross, multi-time MXGP World Champion Prado qualified an impressive sixth while acclimatising to the KTM in race conditions, before he powered to the holeshot in the first 450SX heat race of the year to hold off a fast-finishing Tomac for P1.

Upon launching to another impressive holeshot in the main event, the Spaniard rode a calculated race to earn a first-career supercross podium finish, making for a significant Red Bull KTM Factory Racing double podium result.

Jorge Prado: “This is really ahead of my expectations – the goal for this weekend was to just get through each session and do the best that I can.

“I had a great preparation leading into this year, but I am still so new to supercross. Getting the heat race win was awesome, but I am really happy with my main event and to be on the podium.

“I rode within my limits, and still don’t have a lot of words to describe my feelings right now, but all I can say is that hard work always pays off! It’s great to start the season this way, so now we’ll keep learning and look forward to a new opportunity next week.”

Next race is January 17 – San Diego, California

Photo courtesy KTM

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