Page 14 - Issue-35

COOPER WEBB
450 SX / OKLAND
IMAGE / MPG WORDS / MATTINGLY DESIGN / WILSON
>> The phrase “beast mode” has been a staple throughout social media and spoken from the mouths of polarizing figures across the modern-day professional sports platforms for the past few years. Whom do many consider to be the founder of that quote you ask? None other than Oak- land’s own, Marshawn Lynch. A rugged, downhill runner who’s off the field antics were as captivating as his playing capabilities’; the same be- ing said about Cooper Webb. Never the one to shy away from the lime- light, he’s always been able to generate a buzz with his attitude, riding style, and nonetheless, results on Saturday evenings. Coming into this fifth round, he too is planning on embodying the phrase of “beast mode” and working his way into the top of the field, at all costs. And boy was
he authoritative as that pin fell to get the flashbulbs popping for the main event, storming down the start straight, clicking through the gearbox to obtain every ounce of power he could. A spectacular third place start saw him behind two of his elders, in that of Ryan Dungey (leading) and Jason Anderson. He was clawing at the back of the 21 jersey, forcing his way into the attention span; the pressure would break Jason, eventually relinquishing the position through the whoop section, leaving just RD5
in between Webb and the win. All seemed to be well, but as the race neared the halfway point, the number 3 of Eli Tomac seemed to knock on the door of the rookie. He would fight diligently, even leaping with all springs attached through an unbelievable quad sequence; the fight, very applaud worthy, the result, just a tad bit short to ET3. Once Tomac worked his way around, Webb displayed maturity, and would bring the ship into the bay on the final podium spot, smiling from ear to ear.
14 GRITMOTO • FEBRUARY 5, 2017