No doubt about it, Red Bull KTM factory rider Cooper Webb might not have the red plate and points lead in the 2021 AMA 450 supercross championship, but after going 1-1 in the two Orlando rounds of the series, there is a feeling he is now the favourite to win this year’s title.

The former AMA 250 motocross champion and AMA supercross champion, not to mention Team USA rider is a rider who loves to compete, and the pressure of the sport just makes him a better rider. He sat down for the official press conference and here is what he told the World press.

I still remember him taking on a red hot Jeffrey Herlings at the 2016 USGP and winning the MX2 overall. Herlings won 14 GPs in that season, and while he was coming back from missing three GPs due to injury, so a little down on form maybe, Webb put a bullseye on the Dutchman's back and celebrated big time after beating him on that warm Charlotte night.

Or his mood after crashing during the 2016 MXdN at Maggiora where he cost Team USA victory. I have NEVER seen a rider so beaten down on himself and thinking to myself, WOW, this is a guy you want in the team every single year.

MXlarge: Cooper, you seem to have improved the bike over the weeks. How happy are you with that?

Webb: We are in a good spot with the bike and with a few races under our belt you know how it works and where we are at and stuff like that. We are always fine tuning and I think we are in a good spot and we will keep plugging away.

MXlarge: Back-to-back weeks, same stadium and same dirt. How did it feel?

Webb: The first Orlando had better traction and it was unfortunate that it didn’t get rebuilt like we all expected, but the second round was dry and hard pack, and it had some tough and weird places and felt like the dirt had just been sitting all week and baking and it felt super hard. I think it was nice having a bit longer lap times than we have had. That was a cool thing, but overall, it ended up being good and with an open stadium that can happen, and it was better than a full blown mudder. It felt like we did two races at the same track more or less.

MXlarge: You changed the bike this week, went back to the regular spring shock, is that just doing another element and just go racing and close the points gap?

Webb: The air shock has massive potential, but we didn’t get enough work done on it in the off-season due to lack of parts and we made some progress with the air shock and I felt good with it and confidence. I think after the first Orlando, everything was clicking and that is the go-to (spring shock) and we want to get better and we will work on some things and see what we bring to Daytona.

MXlarge: You closed the points gap on Kenny, that must feel great?

Webb: It is a good spot to be, having that red plate, that is where you love to be. There is some racing to do and Kenny was strong at the start of the season and still is, and we need to try and close that gap if we are going to achieve the championship this year. You never know what is going to happen, but it is nice to put some pressure there. I like where I am at and I like where the schedule is heading. I have always liked Daytona and I have always liked Dallas and Salt Lake. We will keep plugging away and it is gnarly. There are a lot of guys who can be in the mix and we will keep plugging away.

MXlarge: How has this schedule felt, going to the same stadiums and stuff?

Webb: It has been different. I like going to different stadiums every week and as we have seen each guy gets to a stadium they gel with and have good nights. I can’t complain Atlanta was great for me and Indy was great for Kenny. I think it makes it exciting when you go to different stadiums, and it is just good to be racing. I enjoyed the Saturday to Saturday, being able to practice during the week. I live in Claremont, which is 30 minutes from the Orlando stadium, so it is an easy week for me, same as Daytona. We are all in the same position and making the most of it.

MXLarge: It must be a bonus when you are on the podium and Kenny isn’t on the podium?

Webb: Yes, I mean, I was kind of gauging where everyone was and I could see over the triple and I saw Adam in there and Eli, and I knew I needed to capitalize on it. For me, I saw it and knew this is a big night to get the win and get the extra points and I cut it in half and with this class, it is consistency and that is my good point, so getting it on the podium is a bonus.

MXlarge: We all know how physical this sport is, but what about your mental preparation, because you are one of the really tough mental guys in this sport.

Webb: I am not sure, I just enjoy racing and our goals are all the same and we want to be the best we can, and I feel comfortable in those high-pressure situations. I am not sure I can answer it, but you add that pressure, and it takes it up a notch and I enjoy that. We will keep trying to stay in the mix and keep the pressure on.

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