Eli Tomac, one of the most decorated supercross and motocross riders, has revealed a personal struggle following his injury at the Tampa Supercross. The 31-year-old American admitted that he has become “too used” to Vicodin, a prescription painkiller he was given to manage his pain after the incident.
Tomac sustained a severe Achilles injury during the Tampa round earlier in the season, forcing him to miss crucial races. While the initial recovery process seemed to be progressing well, Tomac has now spoken out about an unforeseen challenge—his growing reliance on the pain medication.
“At first, it was just to get through the worst of the pain,” Tomac admitted. “But before I knew it, I was relying on it more than I should have. It’s a dangerous cycle, and I know I need to stop before it gets worse.”
Painkiller dependency has long been a concern in high-impact sports like supercross, where riders push their bodies to the limit and injuries are common. Tomac’s revelation highlights the darker side of recovery, where the physical pain of an injury is often replaced by a different kind of struggle—one that is less visible but just as serious.
Sources close to Tomac suggest that his support team is actively helping him navigate this challenge, with medical professionals monitoring his recovery to ensure he can overcome the dependency safely. His team has reassured fans that Tomac is taking the necessary steps to regain control of his situation and focus on his long-term health.
Despite this setback, Tomac remains determined to return to racing stronger than ever. “This isn’t how I wanted to go through this recovery, but I know I have to take care of myself first. Racing is my passion, but right now, my health is the priority.”
Tomac’s honesty about his struggle has been met with widespread support from the motocross community, with many praising his courage in addressing such a difficult issue. As he continues his recovery, fans will be eagerly awaiting his return to the track—but more importantly, his personal victory over this unexpected challenge.
