In response to Ricky Carmichael’s podcast regarding Eli Tomac’s Motocross skill and technology, Haiden Deegan says: “No doubt Ricky Carmichael is the GOAT of motocross with 7 AMA MX and other SMX wins, but he had Better Bikes Than the 1980s, and the 80s Greats Had Better Bikes Than the 70s so modern bikes on Tomac now doesn’t mean…”

One of the motocross industry’s up-and-coming talents, Haiden Deegan, has responded to Ricky Carmichael’s recent remarks regarding Eli Tomac’s achievements and the influence of contemporary technology on his abilities. Carmichael, who is considered by many to be among the best motocross riders of all time, stated in an interview that technological improvements greatly help Tomac’s performance, particularly when compared to earlier times.

Deegan, who hails from a family with strong ties to the sport, provided a sharp and welcome refutation, though. Deegan said, “Ricky had way better bikes compared to the 1980s.” Additionally, the bikes that the guys raced in the 1970s were inferior to those of the greats of the 1980s. The competition—who shows up on race day—determines everything. Deegan acknowledged Carmichael’s supremacy in his own time, but he didn’t mince words when he said that the debate over technology and performance is frequently more complex than it may appear.

The Contribution of Technology to the Development of Motocross

In order to completely understand Deegan’s remarks, one must acknowledge how motocross technology has advanced. Riders in the 1970s competed on bikes that were far less sophisticated than those of today. The frames were heavier and less nimble, the engines were much less dependable, and the suspension systems were crude. As lighter, faster frames and more advanced suspension systems hit the market in the 1980s, the game started to shift. Accordingly, riders who were active in the 1980s, such as Rick Johnson, Jeff Ward, and Johnny O’Mara, had a major technological edge over their predecessors.

When fuel-injection systems, electronic mapping, and sophisticated suspension technology were introduced in the early 2000s, the sport saw even bigger advancements. In this way, every motocross era

has seen technological advancements that surely influence how riders perform and how the sport is raced. According to Deegan, this technological advancement is “relative to the competition”; that is, the advantages and disadvantages that each generation experiences vary based on the resources available to them.

The Dominance of Ricky Carmichael and the Function of Technology

Given his achievements, it is difficult to dispute Ricky Carmichael’s status as the “Greatest of All Time” (GOAT) in motocross. Carmichael’s legacy is indisputable, as he has won multiple Supercross championships and seven AMA Motocross National Championships. But as Deegan pointed out, Carmichael’s supremacy occurred when late 1990s and early 2000s technology provided benefits over earlier models. Carmichael himself has actually discussed how improvements in suspension, engine power, and bike technology have greatly influenced his performance and consistency on the track.

Although Carmichael’s success was largely due to his abilities and work ethic, Deegan argues that technology has always influenced the dynamics of the sport. Compared to riders in the 1970s or even the 1980s, Ricky’s race bikes in the early 2000s were much more sophisticated. This development is a normal progression in the sport and is not exclusive to Tomac’s time. Every rider throughout history has profited from developments in bicycle technology, and the greatness of each generation can be ascribed to both their personal skills and the resources available to them.

Haiden Deegan’s View of the Contemporary Era

Being a young rider, Deegan is aware that Eli Tomac and other current motocross stars have access to some of the most advanced technology ever seen in the sport. Tomac has had a fantastic career, especially in recent years, thanks to his combination of skill, experience, and bike handling. Deegan’s argument, however, is straightforward: each rider’s greatness is genuinely defined by the competition they face.

“On race day, it all comes down to who shows up,” Deegan stressed. Modern machines have many technological advantages, but what really matters is the rider’s skill, attitude, and capacity to perform under pressure. Every era has a different level of competition, whether it’s the Carmichael, Johnson, or Tomac eras. A rider’s success is determined by how well they perform in comparison to the best in their respective eras.

Deegan has a distinct viewpoint on this discussion as he rapidly emerges as one of the sport’s most talked-about young riders. He is aware of how much technology has changed in motocross because he grew up around the sport and witnessed its development firsthand. However, he is also aware that the motivation, commitment, and heart needed to win races at the highest level cannot be replaced by any amount of equipment.

Concluding remarks

Ultimately, Deegan’s answer to Carmichael’s remarks clarifies a basic fact about motocross: technology is only one factor. Although motorcycles have undoubtedly advanced over the years, the riders who adjust and succeed in the constantly changing world of motocross are the ones who really stand out. The legacy of each rider, whether it be Carmichael, Tomac, or Deegan, is based on how they overcome obstacles both on and off race day, not just on the equipment they use.

It’s evident that Deegan knows what it takes to be great in any era as he continues to leave his mark on the sport. His response to Carmichael’s comments demonstrates that although technology may evolve, the essence of motocross—who shows up and how they perform when the gate drops—remains constant.