Cooper Webb wins a Supercross season unlike any other

Red Bull KTM’s Cooper Webb secured his second career Supercross Championship title Saturday night in Salt Lake City, capping off a strong season which included winning the most races during the 2021 season.

2021 was the fifth consecutive season that the 450SX Class title came down to the final race, and when the gate dropped Marvin Musquin, the winner of the previous round, crossed the holeshot stripe first. Team Honda HRC’s Ken Roczen jumped past Musquin through the first rhythm section, and one section later Cooper Webb darted past Musquin into second. Webb needed only to finish 19^th or better even if Roczen retained the lead, but Webb didn’t look interested in anything but a win. Webb and Roczen battled close and fierce in the opening laps, slowing themselves so that the pack stayed right behind them.  

A minute and a half into the 20-minute plus one lap race Sexton secured third and pushed up to Webb’s rear wheel. Two minutes later Sexton flew past Webb in the whoops and set his sights on his teammate in the lead. At just past the five minute mark Sexton took over the lead and pulled a comfortable gap. Twelve and a half minutes into the race Webb forced the issue and bumped his way past Roczen on the sweeping first turn to take over second. Musquin took advantage and also got around Roczen at the end of the following straight.

“Yes, I knew what place I needed to finish in to secure the title, but I wanted the race win to do it,” said Webb post race. “Winning the title was important, but winning the race to ultimately win the title means more. We had a great season as a team and to finish 1-2 on the podium again with Marvin (Musquin) shows what a great team we have.”

Unlike the crowing of the 2020 season champion, fans were on hand to be able to celebrate the win with the riders.

“Having the fans here and being able to hear them roar as we rode by is a huge motivating factor to race even harder, not that I needed extra motivation but it always is extra special to hear the fans,” said Webb.

Two titles were on the line when the gate dropped for the Dave Coombs Sr. 250SX East/West Showdown and the Eastern Regional 250SX Class red plate holder Colt Nichols jumped into the early lead with Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Seth Hammaker and Jett Lawrence right behind. Team Honda HRC’s Hunter Lawrence sat fourth and Western Regional 250SX Class points leader Justin Cooper sat fifth. Nichols only needed a 20^th place finish to secure the title and his teammate Cooper needed to only finish 17^th or better. Nichols looked determined to win the race while unlike Cooper Webb, Justin Cooper appeared to consider his track position and play the points and ride conservatively ultimately crossing the finish line in ninth place enough to secure his title.

Up front the battle for the win was hotly contested. Jett Lawrence eventually pushed past Nichols to the front while brother Hunter fought his way to third place. With the first and third place finish, the Lawrence brothers became the first brothers to share a podium in Supercross history.

Just getting to the championship was a win. Supercross has shown once again that they could complete an entire season, this time with fans, while still following all health and safety protocols to not only keep the riders healthy, but the fans as well. After making history last year by being the first professional season to finish after the lockdown interruptions, Monster Energy Supercross delivered another full 17-round racing season in 2021 through four triple headers, two double headers, and four Super Tuesday Races.

“Being in Salt Lake City for the final two races of the season almost felt like a homecoming,” said Dave Prater, Senior Director of Two-Wheel, Feld Motorsports. “We have been able to complete two full seasons amid a pandemic which is no small feat and we are very thankful for all of our athletes, teams and partners that committed to and supported the mitigation plan and safety protocols throughout. We know it wasn’t easy but it worked. It truly was a goosebump moment watching the fireworks go off after the final race on Saturday night. Congratulations to our three new champions – Justin Cooper and Colt Nichols in the 250SX Class, and Cooper Webb in the premiere 450SX Class. This has been a remarkable season and we are so grateful that we were able to share it with fans back in attendance.”

Beyond being able to successfully complete the season, Monster Energy Supercross became more and more gloabl as the season progressed. International riders continue to meet the challenge of racing in the states and prove they can win at the highest levels on competition. Ken Roczen is from Germany, the Lawrence brothers are from Austrailia, Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Jo Shimoda is from Japan, and Marvin Musquin and Dylan Ferrandis are from France. It is only a matter of time until the Supercross title is held by an international rider.

For the third year in a row, we are excited to be hosting an online auction in support of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. The biggest names in Supercross have once again lent their support to the St. Jude mission: Finding Cures. Saving Children. Families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food—because all a family should worry about is helping their child live. Just as the “We Won’t Stop” text-to-donate campaign has been saying all season long, we won’t stop until no child dies from cancer. Auction items include autographed jerseys from Cooper Webb, Ken Roczen, Eli Tomac, Justin Barcia, Aaron Plessinger, Malcolm Stewart, Dylan Ferrandis, Jason Anderson, Marvin Musquin, Joey Savatgy, Jeremy McGrath, Ryan Dungey, Ryan Villopoto, Ricky Carmichael and others. Dean Guitars has donated a bass guitar that has easily become one of the most unique items in the auction – autographed by the 450SX Class top 4 in points – Cooper Webb, Ken Roczen, Eli Tomac and Justin Barcia. StaCyc has also donated a custom 12eDRIVE bike in metallic Cyan, sporting patient-inspired artwork graphics. The auction includes over 70 unique items for Supercross fans and St. Jude supporters to choose from – www.stjude.org/supercrossauction.