Eli Tomac finishes third at Anaheim 2 to retain the 450SX points lead, while KTM teammates Jorge Prado charges to seventh and Aaron Plessinger battles through injury at Round 3 of AMA Supercross.
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Eli Tomac and Red Bull KTM Factory Racing kept their early-season momentum rolling at Anaheim 2, with the veteran star claiming a hard-earned third-place finish at Round 3 of the 2026 AMA Supercross Championship.
After opening the season with back-to-back wins, Tomac arrived at Angel Stadium with the red plate and another statement ride in mind. The 33-year-old steadily built speed through qualifying before turning up the heat in his race craft when it mattered most.
A late pass in his Heat Race delivered the win and prime gate position for the Main Event, setting the tone for what would become another gritty performance under the lights.
When the gate dropped, Tomac slotted straight into the fight near the front. The pace was relentless, with the lead group trading blows throughout the race. Balancing attack and defense, the Colorado native climbed into podium contention and locked down P3 for his third straight podium finish of the season.
“I felt like I was in offense and defense mode the whole time,” Tomac admitted. “It was busy out there. A couple things I’d change if I could, but going 1-1-3 to start the season? That’s an awesome start. I’m proud of the team.”
The result allows Tomac to maintain control of the championship standings as the series heads east to Houston.
Prado charges forward
Teammate Jorge Prado showed flashes of brilliance of his own. The four-time world champion grabbed the holeshot in his Heat Race and never looked back, leading wire-to-wire for the win.
A tough start in the Main left the Spaniard buried outside the top-10, but he methodically sliced through the field with clean, calculated passes to finish seventh — narrowly missing the top five.
“A positive night,” Prado said. “We made big improvements this week and the bike felt the best it has all season. I’m happy with the rhythm and how I could come through the pack.”
He now sits ninth overall as he continues adapting to the Supercross grind.
Plessinger sidelined after crash
Aaron Plessinger’s night was a tougher story. After posting solid speed early, ‘The Cowboy’ suffered a heavy crash late in his Heat Race while running second. Though he lined up for the Main and ran inside the top five initially, the effects of the fall caught up with him mid-race, forcing an early withdrawal.
Plessinger will focus on recovery ahead of Houston’s first Triple Crown round.
Momentum building for KTM
Three rounds in, KTM’s 450SX program looks firmly in the title fight. Tomac holds the red plate, Prado is trending upward, and Plessinger’s speed remains promising when healthy.
Houston is next and if Anaheim proved anything, it’s that Tomac isn’t giving that points lead up easily.
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