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Webb Ready For A2

Webb Ready For A2

Jan 25

  • News

Our good friend, and legendary American media man, Eric Johnson wrote this very cool piece on multiple AMA champion, Cooper Webb. As always, brilliant stuff from EJ.

450SX class veteran Cooper Webb has taken fourth- and third-place finishes at the opening two rounds of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship in Anaheim and San Diego, and he’s just getting started in his bid to reclaim the series crown he took in 2019 and 2021.

“I think the sport is evolving and changing,” said Webb, who was also championship runner-up in 2020 and last year. “There is a fast group of guys right now between us and the generation that has been around the last 10 years, and the new bucks like Jett Lawrence and Chase Sexton and Hunter Lawrence and all of them. That being said, over 17 rounds, I feel that I have shown that over the last six or seven years that I can be in it right to the very end. You know whether being a two-time champion, or being the runner-up twice, yeah, I might get written off sometimes, but I do know that I’m going to be in the championship fight, for sure.

“It’s tough, right? There are so many good guys now. I recently looked at all the statistics and there are five AMA Supercross champions on the line, so it’s not easy by any means. I’m 29 years old, so I am definitely at a point now where I’m getting to be the veteran of the class, but I’m definitely here to win. Even after being injured and getting second in the championship in 2024, I still believe winning is a valid goal and that I can still do it.”

Webb feels he has plenty to build on. After taking fourth at the Anaheim opener, he led the main event at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego before being passed at the halfway mark by teammate Eli Tomac and Team Honda HRC ace Jett Lawrence.

“I felt a lot better at San Diego,” said Webb, who ultimately placed third despite not feeling 100 percent physically. “Qualifying was better for me and then about halfway through the day I started having some stomach issues. We did what we could. I was happy that I was able to lead for about half of the main event. Honestly, that’s all I had in the tank and I was able to secure a podium. So it’s a solid start, right? It’s nothing flashy. It’s nothing to write home about, but it’s a very solid start to the season and we’re in a good spot.”

Webb believes Lawrence and veteran Tomac are his most obvious rivals for the title

“I mean as a racer, it’s not great to get beat. In San Diego they were, by far, the best two guys out there and they put on a show, for sure,” he said. “Obviously being Eli’s teammate and racing against Eli my whole career, it’s cool to see for him. I think it just shows that us wily veterans can still give it to the kids, right?

“Like I said, from a team perspective, it was cool to see Eli do what he did. I’m not surprised. We all know how good Eli is and how god he can be. Same with Jett. We have just got to be better and try to bridge that gap and come into Anaheim 2 and hopefully be more in the mix.

“I love racing Anaheim. We’ve done it forever and there is just good vibes there for me. Like I said, I was a little bit under the weather but I was able to have a good day riding yesterday and I’m kind of feeling back to normal. I know what we need to work on.”

Now in his second season with the Monster Energy Star Racing Yamaha 450cc organization, Webb is thrilled with the race team.

“Yes, it has been incredible. Obviously, starting my career with the Star Racing Monster Energy Yamaha team was amazing. We had a lot of success in the 250cc class. They were in a position where they didn’t have a 450 team at the time, so we all know how it kind of went from there. To be able to come back last year and get second in the series and win a bunch of races and to be on the podium a lot was a really good showing.

“It feels like a family for me. Now it is our second year on the team, I’m more comfortable and kind of know the bike and the team personnel a little bit better. I’m excited for the future. As many good racers that we have now, it makes you step up, right? I still feel at age 29 that I’m able to get better. Each day I go to the track with the intention to get better. I still have that drive. So as long as I have that, I’m going to give it my all and let that be the goal.”

Currently fourth in points,Webb is totally to lurk in the shadows to see what comes next.

“I’m kind of always under the radar and I’m never really talked about a lot and I’m just kind of doing my own thing,” he said. “Maybe it is my riding style or my personality — I guess I’m not super-glamorous and don’t get the attention of the fans like Jett and Eli and Chase, but with that being said, I know my attributes and that’s kind of being a fighter and being a wily and experienced guy that leans on my racecraft and put myself in good situations. We’ll continue to do that and stick to our gameplan.”

But does he still feel like he has something to prove?

“I feel like I do. I think that is a good and bad thing,” he said. “Obviously, I’ve accomplished everything and then some of what I set out to do as a kid. I think once you win, it becomes addicting. I definitely would love to try to be a three-time Supercross champ before it’s all over. In my mind I believe I can.”

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