Tomac Makes It Two on the Bounce as San Diego Delivers Another Supercross Sell-Out
By Team TMX on 19th Jan 26
Eli Tomac continued his perfect start to the 2026 Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship with a hard-fought victory in San Diego, as a second consecutive sell-out crowd packed Snapdragon Stadium for round two of the season.
One week after claiming an emotional debut win with Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, the 450SMX points leader went back-to-back following a gripping Main Event battle with Progressive Insurance ECSTAR Suzuki’s Ken Roczen and Honda HRC Progressive rider Hunter Lawrence. The win marked Tomac’s 55th career Supercross victory and his 87th combined SMX win, moving him level with Jeremy McGrath for second on the all-time list.
Lawrence grabbed the holeshot and set the early pace, fending off sustained pressure from Roczen while Tomac closed rapidly from third. The trio soon broke clear of the field, establishing a tense three-way scrap for victory. Roczen eventually forced his way past Lawrence, with Tomac following him through to set up a duel for the lead.
The lead exchanged hands multiple times as Roczen briefly reclaimed control, but with six minutes remaining Tomac made a decisive pass and began to edge clear. Roczen’s pace faded just enough for Lawrence to move into second, setting up a dramatic final chase. Despite late pressure from the Australian, Tomac held firm to take the chequered flag by just 1.3 seconds.
Lawrence’s second-place finish matched the best result of his Supercross career, while Roczen completed the podium for the second time in as many rounds to remain firmly in the early title fight.
Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Chase Sexton narrowly missed the podium in fourth after charging through the field following a poor start. The former champion made contact with defending title holder Cooper Webb during his comeback drive, sending Webb to the ground before he recovered to finish eighth aboard his Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing machine.
After two rounds, Tomac now holds an eight-point lead in the 450SMX standings over Roczen, with Lawrence moving up to third, 10 points off the championship lead.
In the Western Divisional 250SMX Class, the packed house was treated to controversy and intensity as Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing teammates Haiden Deegan and Max Anstie reignited their rivalry. Anstie claimed the holeshot and initially controlled the race, but Deegan applied relentless pressure before making an aggressive move beneath Anstie in a bowl turn. Contact between the two sent the championship leader to the ground, allowing Deegan to break clear.
From there, Deegan was untouchable, taking his first win of the season - and first carrying the No.1 plate - by 7.6 seconds. Cameron McAdoo completed a remarkable comeback from a last-place finish at the opener to take second for Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki, while Michael Mosiman secured third. Anstie recovered to fifth.
The result propelled Deegan into the Western Division points lead by a single point over Anstie, as the 2026 Supercross season continues to deliver high drama from the very start.
