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”

The debate over who is the greatest motocross rider of all time continues to rage, and Ricky Carmichael isn’t backing down from defending his legacy. Widely regarded as the GOAT (Greatest of All Time) in motocross, Carmichael recently responded to claims that Eli Tomac, a modern superstar, has surpassed him in greatness. His response? “Our era built the skills, not the tech.”

Carmichael Acknowledges Tomac’s Talent but Stands by His Era

Eli Tomac has dominated the sport in recent years, breaking records and proving himself as one of the most formidable riders of his generation. However, some fans and analysts argue that Tomac’s achievements put him above Carmichael. When asked about this comparison, Carmichael made it clear that while Tomac is an incredible rider, the advancements in bike technology today make it difficult to compare eras fairly.

“Eli is an unbelievable rider, no doubt about it,” Carmichael said. “But the sport has changed so much. The bikes today are more advanced, the suspension is better, and the training programs have evolved. In our era, we had to develop the skills without all the technology helping us. The grit, the endurance, and the raw ability—those were the defining factors.”

The Evolution of Motocross: Skill vs. Technology

Carmichael, who won 10 AMA Motocross championships and went undefeated in two separate seasons, raced in an era where two-stroke bikes were dominant, and the demands on riders were relentless. The shift to four-stroke bikes, along with improvements in suspension, traction control, and rider conditioning programs, has changed the way the sport is approached.

Tomac, riding in this modern era, benefits from bikes that are faster, more stable, and easier to handle in rough conditions. Carmichael argued that while today’s riders are pushing the sport forward, the foundation was built by riders from his time—when mistakes couldn’t be masked by technology.

“We had to figure out everything on our own. There wasn’t data analysis telling us what line to take or how to tweak our setup. We had to develop skills through pure instinct, through trial and error, and through battling conditions that weren’t as forgiving as they are now.”

Respect Between Legends, but No Backing Down

Despite Carmichael’s strong stance, he holds deep respect for Tomac and recognizes his accomplishments. He even admitted that if he had access to today’s bikes and training advancements, things might have been different.

“I’d love to race Eli on a bike from my era and see how things shake out,” Carmichael joked. “It would be a battle, that’s for sure.”

Tomac has yet to respond to Carmichael’s comments, but the discussion highlights the ongoing debate about how to compare legends across different generations. While Tomac is carving his place in history, Carmichael is making sure people remember who laid the groundwork for today’s stars.

One thing is certain—whether it’s Carmichael, Tomac, or another future star, motocross will always be a sport where skill, determination, and pure willpower decide who stands at the top.