Eli Tomac’s reign as 450SX champion in Monster Energy Supercross has come to a close with the Monster Energy Kawasaki rider accepting third overall in the championship on Saturday in Salt Lake City.

After a dismal start to the season with a 13th at the opening round in Houston, Tomac managed to finish all 16 races that followed inside the top 10, notching 8 podiums and three wins on the season.

At the season-ending race, he grabbed a heat race victory but was unable to convert that to a good start in the main event, leading him to battle mid-pack which is something he’s dealt with throughout the season.

“The track was a lot slicker in the morning than it seemed, but it got a lot better as the day went on,” Tomac explained. “I got off to a good start in my heat race which ultimately helped me run away with the win and gave me loads of confidence going into the main event.

“Unfortunately, I didn’t get the best start in the main and was cut off by the riders up front, forcing me to have to battle my way through the pack.”

While it wasn’t the title defense he was hoping for, Tomac was proud of his third-place effort in what was an incredibly stacked 450SX class this season.

“Although winning is always the goal, I’m very proud to walk away with third overall in the 450SX championship standings,” he continued. “I am looking forward to the first outdoor race at Pala, California.”

Tomac also took third in last year’s abbreviated nine-round Pro Motocross championship, he’ll be hunting his fourth 450MX championship as the series returns to the great outdoors on 29 May.