Page 59 - MPG21

IMAGES / LAKE KILPATRICK
theGRIT
The amount of pride and self-worth the number 17 is admirable, and all too apparent when watching him
compete amongst his peers; and if you think the tension is heating up while on the track, imagine having your biggest competition bunking beside you in the semi. That’s exactly what Coop is dealt with every weekend, and the opening qualifying sessions of High Point were no different; as he sat fourth, nestled
between the Martin brothers. With the gatedrop of the first 250 moto, the soil appeared more as a plate of fresh chocolate chunk brownies, rather than Pennsylvania soil. Webb would scurry around the inside of the infamous first turn, setting just near the top five throughout the opening moments. Webb, furied that two of his fellow teammates were duking and jousting for the lead posi- tion, put the visor down and began to sling the bike from side to side. Ripping tearoffs with a wrist full of fury, Battling with the likes of Jeremy Martin, Webb would be a fortunate recipient of his teammates troublesome afternoon. After a bike malfunction caused Martin to fall out of the race, Webb would move into podium contention and finish third.As anticipation built for a climactic moto two, Webb began to throw elbows all around the treacherous High Point terrain. With sawdust accumulating into small rhythm sections, this race would not only be about raw speed, but meticulous timing as well. Scrubbing his way to sixth in the opening laps, the monstrous ruts were eating through rollers and berms alike, taking footpegs and swingarms victim. The steam continued to pour through the helmet and goggle lens of Webb, as Plessinger too pushed forward and made his move around the Carolina pilot. After a few mis- haps from competitors such as Jeremy Martin, Webb found himself fourth with twelve minutes remaining. He then began to clinch with first moto winner Zach Osborne, as the two East Coast men were locked fourth and fifth and rubbing plastic. Dancing his way through the shadows and downhill chop, he proceeded to charge until the checkered flag flew. Finishing fifth in the moto, coupled with a podium in the opening event, placed him at third overall on the day.
words/LOGANMATTINGLY WWW.GRITMOTO.COM
59