Nascar
Ricky Carmichael Fires Back at Claims Eli Tomac is Better: “Our Era Built the Skills, Not the Tech”
Ricky Carmichael Fires Back at Claims Eli Tomac is Better: “Our Era Built the Skills, Not the Tech”
When Eli Tomac broke Ricky Carmichael’s all-time combined wins record at the St. Louis Triple Crown event, the motocross world celebrated the moment as a historic achievement. Yet, for Ricky Carmichael, often hailed as “The GOAT” (Greatest of All Time), this milestone reignited an ongoing debate: Who is truly the better rider?
Carmichael, never one to shy away from a strong opinion, recently addressed those comparisons in a candid interview, taking a subtle jab at modern riders and what he sees as their reliance on advanced bike technology.
Carmichael didn’t downplay Tomac’s accomplishment but was quick to highlight the critical difference between their respective eras.
“Eli is a phenomenal rider—one of the best. But let’s be honest, the skills we pioneered in my era are the same ones today’s riders are using. The difference is, we didn’t have bikes that practically did half the work for us,” Carmichael said.
In the late 1990s and early 2000s, motocross was a grittier, more unforgiving sport. Riders like Carmichael, James Stewart, and Jeremy McGrath were innovators, introducing now-essential techniques like scrubbing, precise clutch control, and mastering momentum on heavier, less responsive machines.
“When you see a guy ‘scrub’ or nail a rhythm section perfectly today, you’re seeing the evolution of skills we had to invent. The only difference is, we did it on bikes that weren’t as forgiving. There wasn’t traction control, or suspension that felt like riding on air. We had to wrestle those bikes and make them do what we wanted,” Carmichael added
Carmichael acknowledged Tomac’s incredible skill and consistency but didn’t hold back when it came to defending his legacy. “Records are meant to be broken,” he said in a recent interview. “But you can’t compare eras without considering the differences in bikes, competition, and the raw demands of racing back then.”
Carmichael’s era, spanning from 1997 to 2007, wasn’t just about wins—it was about innovation. Riders in his time were pioneers, experimenting with techniques that would become staples for future generations.
- The Scrub Revolution: Carmichael was one of the first to embrace James Stewart’s “scrub” technique, reducing airtime to maintain speed. This innovation became a game-changer for motocross.
- Endurance and Precision: Tracks in Carmichael’s era were brutal, with less regulation and more unpredictable terrains. Riders didn’t have advanced suspension or traction control to rely on, making races a true test of natural skill and endurance.
- Head-to-Head Battles: Competing against legends like Jeremy McGrath, James Stewart, and Chad Reed meant Carmichael faced fierce rivals who pushed the limits of the sport.
“I raced in an era where you couldn’t just rely on technology to win,” Carmichael said. “We had to innovate—whether it was mastering a skill or finding the mental toughness to overcome unpredictable conditions.”
To be clear, Carmichael has immense respect for Eli Tomac and the riders of today. “Eli’s a beast—there’s no denying that,” he said. “Breaking records is what the sport needs to keep moving forward. But let’s not erase history in the process. Every achievement stands on the shoulders of those who came before.”
As the debate continues about who holds the title of motocross’s true GOAT, Carmichael’s words are a reminder that greatness is not just about numbers; it’s about legacy, innovation, and the enduring spirit of competition.
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