Page 43 - issue28

theGRIT
IMAGES / LAKE KILPATRICK
Cooper Webb has officially done it all, 2x west coast 250 champion and now FINALLY a 250 Mx champion, Congratulations Cooper. Realistically the newly crowned champ didn’t have to go out and push as hard as he did this weekend at Budds Creek but there is a reason that Webb is a fan favourite and that’s because he is a true grinder. Every single time the #17 lines up on the gate he goes for the W, this weekend proves
it once again. Webb did not hold back all weekend, he went out in practice and was fastest qualifier on the day proving even further that he was not going to hold back on the competition come race time. All he had to do is make sure neither Savatgy or Alex Martin score more than 6 points than Webb and he would capture the title in the first race. By the first corner of moto 1 we seen Adam Cianciarulo pull a holeshot but no one was able to find Webb. He got caught up in a first corner pill up, that was just the start of the drama he had to deal with in this moto. While making his way through the field on lap one the Star Racing rider got caught in his own Webb as he was trying to get through Kyle Cunningham on a tight left hand corner at one of the tops of the hills at Budds. The championship leader didn’t let these misfortunes bother him to much seeing as he was able to get into the top 15 with just under 20 minutes plus 2 laps remaining. After burners where ignited for Webb as he reached the midway point as usual and the ride he
put in got that much more impressive. A battle was brewing all moto long for Davalos and Hampshire for 7th and Cooper just blew
by the pair like they where standing still. Arnaud Tonus would be the last rider Webb was able to catch, this Budds Creek track was especially hard to make passes on but once again the #17 moved as if he had no brakes and blew around Tonus for 6th like he was a lapped rider. Coopers 2nd gate drop of the day didn’t go off great either, funnelling in around 25th position around the first corner. That didn’t matter to Cooper though because he went out there and pushed hard all the way to the finish in signature Webb style and found himself in 3rd. It’s pretty obvious that Webb will want to come out and win next weekend at the Iron Man National even though he is already the Champion. 1. Because Webb hates to loose 2. Because it will be his final race on a 250 in the AMA Circuit. Now the talks can begin about Cooper and his new 450 deal with factory Yamaha and how he will do. Will he win races right away? Will he be a title contender his first year? One thing is for sure this kid has got the MOJO.
words/JOSHARMSTRONG
WWW.GRITMOTO.COM
43