Eli Tomac is never one to shy away from speaking his mind, and in a recent interview, the American motocross icon took aim at MXGP champion Tim Gajser, accusing him of choking under pressure and being mentally weak when the stakes are high. Tomac, who has faced Gajser in several international events, didn’t mince words as he shared his thoughts on the Slovenian rider’s recent struggles in high-pressure situations.
“Look, Tim’s a fast guy, no doubt. He’s won championships, and he’s been on top of the world in MXGP. But when it really matters, when the pressure’s on, he chokes,” Tomac said with a sharp edge. “I’ve seen it happen time and time again. He’s got the speed, but mentally, he’s just not strong enough to handle the big moments. When it gets tough, he folds.”
Tomac’s comments came after a controversial race at the 2024 Monster Energy Motocross of Nations, where Gajser was involved in a series of mistakes that ultimately cost his team a shot at victory. The incident, which left Gajser visibly frustrated and disappointed, appeared to be the tipping point for Tomac’s growing frustration with the Slovenian rider.
“You can tell when Tim’s feeling the heat—he starts making mistakes, and then it’s game over for him. It’s like he shuts down mentally,” Tomac continued. “That’s not what championship riders do. You can’t win titles if you can’t handle the pressure. It’s not just about being fast; it’s about having the mental toughness to keep your head when things aren’t going your way. And right now, Tim’s not showing that.”
Tomac, who has been at the top of the American motocross scene for years, knows all too well the pressure of competing at the highest level. His own career has been marked by incredible highs, including numerous AMA Supercross and motocross championships, as well as a reputation for being calm under pressure, something Tomac believes is lacking in Gajser’s approach.
“For me, when the pressure’s on, that’s when I shine,” Tomac said, leaning into his argument. “I’ve been in those high-stakes moments, in the final laps of a Supercross race or the last moto of a national. It’s about staying focused, trusting your training, and not letting the pressure get to you. Gajser can’t do that. He crumbles under it.”
The 31-year-old Tomac, who has been one of the most successful riders in AMA history, is no stranger to pressure. His consistency and mental resilience have been key to his success, and it’s clear that he values those qualities in his competitors as much as their physical abilities. For him, Gajser’s perceived lack of mental strength is a serious flaw, one that Tomac believes limits Gajser’s potential.
“Mentally weak riders don’t last at the top. You can’t be fast for a few laps or a few races, then fold when the pressure’s on. It’s about being able to perform when it matters,” Tomac said. “Tim has had his moments, but you can’t win championships with that mentality. That’s why he’ll never be able to compete with guys like me and the other top American riders when it comes down to the big races. You have to be a warrior inside, not just on the bike.”
Tomac’s sharp words are likely to stir up tension between the two riders, especially with the upcoming international competitions where they could face off once again. While Gajser’s response to Tomac’s criticism remains to be seen, Tomac is confident in his own mental game—and he’s not afraid to call out anyone who he believes falls short.
“You can’t fake mental toughness. You either have it, or you don’t,” Tomac concluded. “Right now, Tim doesn’t have it when it counts. If he wants to be a true champion, he’s going to have to figure that part out. Until then, I’m not worried.”
As the 2024 motocross season continues, all eyes will be on Gajser to see how he handles Tomac’s scathing remarks—and whether he can prove that his mental strength is up to the challenge of competing against the best in the world. But for Eli Tomac, one thing is clear: he believes the true champions rise to the occasion, and right now, he doesn’t think Tim Gajser is doing that.
