Page 26 - Issue-48

COOPER WEBB
450 MX / 7TH
IMAGE / CAVAZOS WORDS / ROEWER DESIGN / WILSON
>> After winning the 250-title last year in Outdoor Nationals, Cooper Webb has moved up the rankings into the 450 class. The rookie showed some promise at the end of the Supercross season that he has what it takes to run with best in the world. After missing a few rounds of Super- cross for a shoulder injury he decided to switch his focus to outdoors early on and it was paying off. Looking comfortable on Hangtown’s track the Factory Yamaha rider qualified all the way up in fourth for the day. Thanks to a sold gate pick he charged hard out of the gate and was third to the first turn in moto one. Holding onto this position for several laps Webb was looking right at home on the 450. Starting to fade a little Josh Grant was able to get around him sending him back into fourth. Staying smart Webb didn’t attempt to pass Grant back knowing there is a long season ahead of him. Before the race was over he lost another position to Cole Seely, finishing the race off in fifth place. For the second moto Webb got yet another good start right around fifth place. After get- ting passed by Wilson he fell into sixth where he stayed for several laps before Tomac caught him. Now in seventh Webb continued to ride his race. Losing a few more positions before the end of the moto, the rookie crossed the finish in ninth place. Grabbing two top ten finishes Webb finished off round one with a seventh overall.
26 GRITMOTO • MAY 21, 2017