Slaw Dog
The worst kept secret in motocross is official: Cooper Webb is returning to Monster Energy/Yamaha Star Racing and will make his debut with the team this weekend at the SuperMotocross World Championship.
Webb began his career with Star Racing and won the 2016 250 Pro Motocross title with the team before moving up to factory Yamaha for his 450 debut. After struggling in his first few 450 seasons, Webb moved to Red Bull KTM in 2019 and won two 450 Monster Energy Supercross titles with the team before parting ways earlier this year.
Below is the official release:
Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing is excited to announce a multi-year deal with Cooper Webb to race the premier class of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross, Pro Motocross, and SuperMotocross World Championship. The muli-time champ joins Eli Tomac and Justin Cooper for a potent three-pronged effort next year aboard the YZ450F. This weekend, Webb will kick off his reunion with the team in front of the home crowd at the inaugural SMX World Championship Playoff 1 at the zMax Dragway at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, North Carolina.
Webb made his pro debut with the Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing team in 2013. Together, they notched an impressive tally of wins in the 250 class and earned back-to-back Monster Energy AMA Supercross 250SX West Championships in 2015 and 2016, as well as the 2016 Pro Motocross 250MX title. Webb went on to be a title contender in the 450 class with a pair of Monster Energy AMA Supercross 450SX titles (2019, 2021) and has 21 victories in the class thus far. The North Carolina rider is excited to return with the team where he started and to make his debut aboard the all-new YZ450F this weekend as the sport begins a new era with the SMX World Championship Finals.
Jim Roach – Yamaha Racing Department Manager for YMUS
“We’re excited to announce Cooper Webb’s return to the Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing team. We’re also really excited for the upcoming 2024 season with a strong three-rider lineup to continue to pave the way for success in the premier class. Cooper is a proven title contender and is hungrier than ever. Together, we enjoyed a lot of success in the 250 class and are looking forward to having him back and seeing what we can do with the all-new YZ450F.”
Jeremy Coker – Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing 450 Team Manager
“Reuniting with Cooper Webb signals not just a homecoming but also a bright horizon for the team. We’re all pretty excited to get going and to see the legacy he will build in this new chapter with his home team.”
Cooper Webb – Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing
“I’m super excited to be racing for the Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing team again. It feels like a family reunion. It’s all the people that I started my career with, and I can’t wait to go racing with them again.
“Racing in Charlotte for me is a dream come true. It’s my home race. The last time we raced there, I had probably my best race ever. I’m really looking forward to getting back to the gate with this team and this bike and starting off my new chapter well.”
