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COOPER WEBB
450 SX / A-1
IMAGE / MPG WORDS / HARNISHFEGER DESIGN / WILSON
>> Cooper Webb was one of the big talking points heading into the 2017 season after a stellar 250 career. A big contract from a rebirthed Factory Yamaha squad and back-to-back Supercross West titles definitely increased the pressure and expectations for the 450 rookie but he has shown throughout his young career how well he can perform no matter the circumstance. Webb went out and threw down the thirteenth fastest lap time in practice but was just around a second off the top few riders. He knew what he had to do to narrow that deficit and he and his team went to work to get him ready for his first 450 night show. A dreadful start in his heat race got his night off on the wrong foot as he was only able to get up to tenth. It would be the first time in his professional career he failed to make a main straight from the heat race (albeit they take nine from the heats in the 250s and only four in the 450s.) He didn’t sweat it and qualified through semi despite losing a healthy battle with Bogle for second. Webb got off to another sub par start in the main event and rounded lap one deep in twelfth place. He latched onto Monster Energy Kawasaki rider Josh Grant and tried to stay in touch. Throughout the race Webb did not look like his usual, ultra-aggressive self and almost seemed tight and hesitant. He slowly lost sight of Grant during the race but did end up picking up a few spots to finish in tenth. It was not the 450 premier he and everyone may have expected but we saw a similar slow start from Marvin Musquin last year in his rookie year and now he is a con- sistent top five guy. Only time will tell for Webb.
72 GRITMOTO • JANUARY 9, 2017