Motocross
How Cooper Webb gets ready to race supercross in 2019
As Cooper Webb prepares for the 2019 supercross season aboard a Red Bull KTM Factory race bike, we take a closer look at the 250cc champ’s pre-season program.
The 2019 supercross season is set to be one of the most exciting seasons in the history of indoor racing. Jason Anderson is still on top form and will be returning to defend his current title, Ken Roczen has recovered from his injuries and will be back on the start line, Eli Tomac will be trying to regain dominance and multiple 250cc SX champ Cooper Webb will join Roger de Coster and the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing team. Webb will be racing alongside his new teammate Marvin Musquin in the 450cc class as part of a freshly signed two-year contract.
Cooper Webb stands by his new 2019 KTM 450 SX-F FACTORY EDITION
© Simon Cudby / KTM
Cooper Webb has been riding a Yamaha since 2012, so the move to the orange bikes will mean a big change for the young rider from North Carolina. It was no secret that De Coster and KTM had their eye on the 250 champ since his upgrade to the 450cc class at the end of 2016, so the team were over the moon when the ink was finally on the paper and Cooper was officially on board.
In a press release following the signing, new Red Bull KTM Team Manager Ian Harrison said “We are excited for Cooper to join the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Team for the upcoming 2019 season. Cooper has had an exciting and successful career, winning in 250cc competition and our goal is to give him the tools to continue that success on a KTM going forward”. He added “We feel the combination of both Marvin and Cooper racing the KTM 450 SX-F FACTORY EDITION in both Supercross and Motocross is strong, and our hopes are that the pair can motivate and push each other to race to their fullest potential."
Webb and Musquin make the 2019 KTM Factory Racing team in 450cc category
© Simon Cudby / KTM
And the excitement seems to be mutual. After his new signing was officially announced, Webb told KTM:
“It was an honour when Roger and Ian reached out for me to be the next guy on the Red Bull KTM team. It’s really encouraging to know what this team has achieved – they really have been there and done it, so I don't see any reason why they can’t do it with me. I will be putting in the work and doing everything possible to come into the year as strong as I can be. With everything around me, I know I have put myself in the best possible position for winning on the track again.”
He added, “It’s also cool to be with Red Bull again because I was with them as an amateur and they always treated me really well”.
Webb as an amateur racer with Red Bull KTM
© Garth Milan/Red Bull Content Pool
2018 was a frustrating season for Webb and one that was plagued with injury before it even began. Since upgrading to the 450cc class, the three-time AMA 250cc champion has not quite had the results he was hoping for, but nonetheless has displayed consistency, speed and confidence throughout his first two years on the bigger bikes. He achieved top 10 championship finishes in both supercross and outdoors in 2018 with some strong race results along the way, including a podium finish at Daytona. He is now in great shape physically and ready for the season to start.
After some early testing, Webb seemed to be happy and looking good on the KTM right off the bat. It is no secret that Cooper is not the tallest rider to line-up on the start gates, but with its smaller, narrow frame, the KTM 450 SX-F seems to offer Webb a riding position he can really work with.
Webb looked strong in preseason testing
© Simon Cudby / KTM
“The thing that struck me about the KTM was how light and narrow it felt. I was at home right away and it suited my style. The engine power is so usable. I rode it quite a bit and I didn’t really change much from the original setting we tried at the beginning because it worked right away.”
Back in October, Webb competed in the Monster Energy Cup for his first outing in orange. He was sixth fastest overall in the timed qualifying results and finished 6th in Race One, 19th in Race Two following a crash and 9th in Race Three. This meant he went home with a twelfth overall.
Since the announcement in October it has been all change for Cooper Webb, with a new team, new bike and new mechanic (Carlos Rivera). Cooper has also made the move from North Carolina to Florida to live by Aldon Baker at the notorious Baker’s Factory along with Marvin Musquin and Jason Anderson, where he will be thrown into an intensive pre-season training program.
Aldon Baker is renowned as the best trainer in the business and Cooper is excited for the opportunity to work with Baker. With a proven track record of working with and producing champions, Aldon Baker provides the perfect opportunity for Webb to push his riding as far as it can go.
“I’ve grown up seeing how he [Aldon] has been able to ‘transform’ guys” Webb told KTM. “His record with different riders is definitely proven. For me it is another strong part of the whole KTM setup. I have an opportunity that really involves the whole package. I think it will be different for me but I’m excited about that.”
As part of Aldon’s elite program, the team has been using the latest high-tech equipment such as LitProLive to GPS map the rider’s laps and analyse different lines to determine the fastest route around the track. This helps the team figure out where riders are fastest and where they need to improve.
Cooper Webb testing out his 2019 rig
© Simon Cudby / KTM
The opportunity to ride alongside a top rider such as Marvin Musquin brings with it fresh perspective and motivation for Webb. When KTM asked him about being on the same team as Marvin, he said:
“[He is] a great rider, and one that is at the top of his game right now. I’ve be trying to learn as much as I can from him and it will also be interesting and nice to have a teammate like that because many times [in past teams] I’ve been the only guy. It will be nice for motivation or to be able to talk and bounce ideas around.”
Armed with a proven team, a proven bike and a proven trainer, Webb seems to have all the ingredients of the ultimate supercross setup and is fired up for the new season to start. Let’s see what the kid from Carolina and his teammate Musquin can do in 2019.
