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Cooper Webb had a solid outing in Hangtown a week ago and looked to keep it going in Glen Helen. You could argue he is still in points salvage mode because he and his wrist are still not at 100%. Despite that ailment, Webb went out and threw down the gauntlet in qualifying practice by setting the
fastest lap time of the class. He was in solid position for the motos and knew he had to take advantage.
Webb usually struggles with his starts but he nailed one in moto number one. He came around the first turn in third behind rookie Tristan Charboneau and veteran Alex Martin. Webb and Martin quickly got around Charboneau and the race was on. The two Star Racing Yamaha teammates would have a showdown for the remainder of the moto. It initially looked like Martin would run away with it after building a little cushion but then Webb found another gear. He began to inch up on the rear end of Martin by using his superior corner speed. But every time Webb would get close Martin would find a way to keep him behind. Webb mounted one last charge in the final laps and made the move on Martin for the lead while setting the fastest lap time of the race on the LAST LAP. It was a magnificent and valiant effort from the ever gritty Cooper Webb and he looked to find that some attrition in the second moto. Webb could not repeat his good start from the first moto and was mired back in eighth place after lap one. He didn’t panic and start riding over aggressive like we’ve seen in the past and started smoothly moving forward. He linked up with his buddy from the first moto, Alex Martin, and picked off a few riders including passing Jordon Smith for fifth around the halfway point. He put a little bit of pressure on Martin but it was easy to tell that he just didn’t have that same speed from earlier. He eventually lost ground to him but did pick up one more spot due to an Austin Forkner fall.
All in all it would be a fourth place finish and a third overall for Webb with 1-4 moto scores. He admitted on the podium that he was a bit gassed after his great first moto performance but who could blame him. He is still in full recovery mode for his wrist during the week and
can’t train at full capacity. And still, he is in the thick of the title hunt.
words/SETHHARNISHFEGER
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