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COOPER WEBB
450 MX / 4TH
IMAGE / KILPATRICK WORDS / HARNISHFEGER DESIGN / TILLS
>> Cooper Webb’s rookie season in the 450 class has been a frustrating one. After a stellar championship winning 250 season last year, Webb has yet to find his groove on the bigger machine. Aside from a few great Supercross rides, he has been significantly quiet. With only three top tens and one top five finish after the first half of the outdoor season, Webb entered Southwick knowing he would have to start turning things around and finish the season strong. He also came into the race extra motivated after a DNF-DNS result at Red Bud just a week ago. It was time for redemption.
Webb looked rejuvenated, and much like the rider that won the 250 class at Southwick a year ago, in qualifying practice. He threw down the fourth fastest lap time and was ready to com- pete and get back to the battles up front.
The first moto got going with Webb nailing a decent start in sixth position. Good starts have been rare for the Factory Yamaha rider this year so he was going to take full advantage. He leapfrogged by Barcia, Noren, and local hero Isaac Teasdale to move into third place at the end of lap three. From there he put together a strong, impressive moto logging consistent laps all the way to the end. He finished in third and was happy to be back up on the podium. It was the shot of confidence he’d been searching for and he was craving for more in moto two.
Webb began the second moto with another decent start rounding lap one in seventh place. He attempted to follow Tomac but couldn’t quite maintain his pace. He still managed to move forward and passed Barcia and Davalos to move into fifth after the first few laps. He continued grinding for the next several laps to catch Wilson and finally did so at the halfway point. He made the pass on the Husqvarna rider for fourth and then picked up another spot when Mus- quin went down. Now up to third, Webb looked poised to notch his first career overall podium on a 450. However, with just a few laps to go Webb would go down and drop back to sixth position. He would be unable to regain any of the positions he lost and would have to settle there in sixth. His 3-6 scores would tie Wilson’s 6-3 for third overall but he lost the second moto tie breaker and would take fourth overall. A frustrating result getting left off the podium but overall it was a big step in the right direction. Look for him to continue to get stronger at the last five rounds.
16 GRITMOTO • JULY 9, 2017