by Chase Stallo
Cooper Webb: Courage Under Fire
Thursday, October 25, 2012 | 11:00 AM
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There’s no denying that amateur motocross has undergone a major face-lift in recent years. Sparse media coverage has been replaced with live coverage of the Monster Energy Cup races on SPEED (and the Red Bull AMA Amateur National from Loretta Lynn Ranch gets coverage on NBC in November), streaming webcasts and thousands of videos migrating around the web. Long gone are the days of the unknown amateur prospect. Up-and-coming riders are examined through a microscope from the time their on 50s. Right now, names like Ryder Difrancesco and Gage Linville are already household names before the age of eight. Adam Ciancarulo was the star pupil for Monster and Pro Circuit before he could even drive.
Loretta's has always stood as the proving grounds for amateurs across the country. It's a place where Carmichael, Stewart, Windham … and just about every top American rider made their mark. But now with the Monster Energy Cup providing a platform for young amateurs to hone their skills on a full-blown supercross track, on live TV none-the-less, the pressure to win at a young age has been ratcheted up a notch. Sure RC and the rest had pressure to win at a young age, but that was during an era long before the scrutiny of message boards, Twitter and Facebook. And with the new-found ability to have factory backing before you’ve entered middle school, the watchful eyes of the industry have never focused so closely on so many young riders.
North Carolina native Cooper Webb has dealt with this pressure for years. A mini rider prodigy, Webb has been in the spotlight since capturing two titles at Loretta’s in the 51 and 65 classes, respectively. But it’s something he welcomes. An environment in which he thrives.“It’s one of those things where you have to be confident, which I feel like I am. I am not feeling much pressure because I know what I’m able to do,” Webb explained to Racer X just days before the second-annual Monster Energy Cup.
Webb has been cast into the spotlight from a young age.
Simon Cudby photo
Like many top amateurs of this generation, Webb has been groomed from a young age to compete on the big stage. He’s worked with the iconic Gary Bailey since the age of nine, has his own personal trainer (Tim Crytser, the Racer X Virtual Trainer) and is already signed to a pro deal with Star Racing Yamaha.
“Basically anybody that is anybody right now he [Gary Bailey] has worked with at some point and he knows so much about everything that it’s great to have him in my corner and for us to have such a good relationship on and off the track,” stated Webb on his relationship with Bailey.
Webb is surrounded by a core group that has prepared him for pressure packed situations that have contributed to his calm demeanor. And that came into play at the Monster Energy Cup.
“I didn’t feel too good after practice, but after I talked with Gary, my parents and Bobby Regan [Star Racing Team Owner] they were like, ‘Practice is practice and it doesn’t mean anything.’ The whole team really helped me out,” explained Webb.
His serene attitude helped him overcome the adverse conditions he faced in the second Amateur All-Stars main. After taking second behind newly signed Lucas Oil/Troy Lee Design Honda rider Shane McElrath in the first main, Webb was staring down the barrel of defeat after a bizarre start to the second main.
“I ended up going a little wide and got stuck on a Tuff Block,” commented Webb on his second main start. “When I was coming around was right around the time that Shane [McElrath] was flipping across our lane. Basically our whole lane had to stop or we would have been decapitated.”
With first-race winner McElrath down, Webb had the chance to pounce and grab the overall victory. But he was way, way back in the pack himself, and needed to make up ground. But Webb has an innate ability to block out things that surround him and focus on the track—and that began way before the start of the second main.
Old rivals, Webb (near) and Cianciarulo (far) faced off for the first time on big bikes at the Monster Energy Cup.
Simon Cudby photo
With the hype machine at full steam surrounding Webb’s amateur rival Adam Cianciarulo— who was making his 250F debut after capturing a record 11 mini bike titles at Loretta’s—the underdog role was placed squarely on Webb and the rest of the field.
“He’s a great rider so it was no surprise to see him up front,” Webb said regarding Cianciarulo’s performance at the MEC. “But it definitely made myself and everybody, kind of being the underdogs, want to beat him.”
Cianciarulo and Webb have had some heated battles throughout their amateur careers, going all the way back to their days on 50s, but Webb was quick to dismiss the validity of the rivalry.
“We’ve had a few incidents as amateurs, but once you hit the pros no one will remember it because you have 40 other guys that were really good as amateurs,” Webb said. “To me, it’s not really a rivalry. I see everyone I race against as a rival.”
“I think it’s one of those things where it is definitely hyped up. But at the same time it’s good because I have a lot of respect for him and he has pushed me to want to win and want to get better,” continued Webb.
With McElrath too far back to contend, AC was running away with the second moto win and likely the overall as Webb sat in eighth early. But Webb was able to stay calm and collected in the face of adversity.
“It was just one of those things where it was just true determination in wanting to get up to the front and try to show these guys that I’m definitely one of the faster guys,” Webb said.
Unlike the 20-minute slogs at Loretta's, the Monster Energy Cup featured two quick, six lap main events. But even with little time, unfazed by the pressure, Webb quickly made his way into contention for the overall.
“After the McElrath incident off the start I remember looking back and I only saw three people, and I knew I had to get to work fast to even be on the podium,” Webb said. “I knew it was going to be short laps, but I wasn’t putting any pressure on myself.”
“I knew I had to make my passes quick and make them count because you only have a certain number of laps,” he continued.In the span of two laps Webb had maneuvered his way into fifth, but with AC in the lead (coupled with his a fifth in the first main) two places stood between Webb and the overall with two laps remaining.
“I actually thought I had to get second to win, so I was trying to get to second to catch [Paul] Coates,” Webb said. “Then I started doing the math and I realized he [Cianciarulo] had fallen in the first moto.”
“It was one of those races were you are battling to the front trying to calculate your win,” continued Webb. “When I crossed the finish line I was like, ‘Wow, I just won.’”
After his big win at the MEC, Webb will begin to prepare for the Winter Olympics.
Simon Cudby photo
“Last year I got second in the Super Mini class, so this year on the big bikes to actually win was cool to see my progression from one year even,” Webb said.
But there's not much time to dwell. Webb will now begin preparations for the Winter Olympics at Gatorback in less than a month’s time.
“It was good to be able to do this race because you can see where you are heading into Mini O’s,” Webb explained. “It’s not like you are coming straight from Loretta’s, we now have an in-between race to see where you are and what you need to improve on.”
The Winter Olympics is the only amateur national to feature supercross, and although it’s much tamer than what he faced this past weekend, the Monster Energy Cup provided a good gauge for Webb to see where he stands. And after a bench mark win in his career, the four-time Loretta Lynn Champion enters the last amateur national of the season with loads of confidence.
“You could say my confidence is up there,” Webb humbly explained.
Although he has a tranquil demeanor on and off the track, Webb is prideful in his competitive nature, which he says began at an early age.
“Growing up I always wanted to win,” explained Webb. “Like everybody says, ‘Nobody is your friend on the track’ and that’s how I approach things.”Scheduled to make his pro debut in less than a year’s time at the opening round of the 2013 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship, the pressure will continue to build on the young phenom. But last weekend in front of nearly 40,000 people, under the bright lights on Sam Boyd Stadium, Webb proved no stage is too big to conquer.
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I'll bet the Villopoto/Alessi example fuels this kid everyday he opens his eyes. He is right, all the racing that takes place before the pros is lost so quick it's ridiculous. I think he works hard, he will def bring it! The only thing that would scare me is the team... They don't have any good things going for them. No major win runs going, and they clip riders quick if they do not work out. I just wouldn't feel comfortable working with a team that has the records that they do.
this team, not the greatest. bikes are probaly not either. Cant understand why they clip riders before they even come out their shell. example: Kyle Peters (who rode injured all year), DArryn Durham
the THORN in 92's side and its a sharp one....Yamaha 250's work just fine (and a new one will be along shortly...its got to)...He ain't goin away.... ....so lucky that start didn't end someones career or worse......nice win...good ride and good rider....Go CW.
although i would like cooper to bring something good for the yami guys, its really hard in order to happen. They just seem to not have a good motivation program for the guys to go for the win like geico a PC have.
joshuamcollom802: Let me tell you the good news. Cooper has two more years with Star and they do have some good things going. Star has made some good changes and are looking to turn thing around. Like all things in racing the past is the past, DON'T DWELL ON THE PAST, don't look back, look forward. So with that they are hoping to turn that all around. New team manager, smaller team to focus on. With a lot of hard work we are looking to help turn that around for Star, Yamaha and Cooper. To make it all happen it takes more than just the truck you are in and the bike you are on. It takes hard work and being open mined to new things with the bike and on the track. Put guys like RV, CR, RD, JB and most top guys on any team and it comes down to the rider. A long way to go. Time will tell !!!
Professor I agree with you: There are a lot of talented riders who never make find the success they dream of. It takes the combination of a strong desire, hard work, dedication, an open mind, talent and a dash of luck. The brand of bike and the support are not as important as the traits listed, granted it makes for an easier path, but that may not be the best path.
Here is where I can use your advice, I am working with a young man, who has talent and desire, but he is lacking in the hard work and dedication department. His favorite rider is Josh Hanson. I try and explain to him, in my eyes, Josh has great talent, but never dedicated himself to one goal and didn't put in the work necessary to reach his full potential, which just wastes that talent. Any ideas on how else I can get though to this young man, you have surely seen this many times.
The mention of Alessi on here reminds me back to the splash they attempted to make in the DEEP end of the poo,l with "believe the hype". Talk about forgetting amateur rivalries. Tony was poking the hornets nest with guys like RC, CR, KW, JS.
Coopers comments about the amateur rivalries are gone when you turn pro because you have 40 other fast guys is spot on. You have to believe that Tony's brash attitude and the way he looked past a guy like RV2 in the amateurs, to bite off a bigger chunk. Back fired squarely in his face and has had an unmistakable impact, on one of the greatest amateurs ever, professional career. Mike is now a likable guy with a ton of talent. The problem is Tony made the OEM's run the other way from Mike and now the time has passed.
Good luck to AC, CW and all the amateurs to come. Here is to hoping that the parents these days are also learning something about being a professional when it comes to parenting a star. It seems they are as our current crop of young pro's seem to have pretty tight family units, Tomac's being a banner example.
BD25: Going to try to make this short. There are so many riders out there that could make it to the top level but will never because they won't do what they need to do to get there. Don't talk much about my racing back in the day but I can tell you that I didn't have much money and not the best bikes. What I did have was a lot of desire and was willing to do what ever I had to do to be the best. I gave up everything so I could do what I wanted more then anything, to be the best rider. I know things are different now but I worked 6 days a week, tried to ride every afternoon I could and raced 2 to 4 times a week. And sold my trophies for gas money to get to the next race.
Not only are there a lot of amateurs that will never make it because of lack of love and hard work to get to the top level. There are a lot of pros that get to a point where they stop giving 100%. Talent only goes so far, then comes the want, hard work, love and desire. If you don't make it the most important thing, then the other most important thing will take over.
You want to be the best? Do what the best do! Not just what they are doing now but what they did to get where they are. Nothing comes easy.............
Professor ..We were at a race sunday, he finished 2nd in four moto's as he was riding both pro classes, when the leader got away from him, you could see him slack off rather than dig deeper...He made the comment afterwards, he didn't like the outdoors, arenacross and supercross is so much easier..
I am going to help him make the arenacross races, as his goal is to get enough points to try and qualify for the Dallas supercross...I am hoping he sees just how much work he has to do and that he is not all that he thinks...it is the only way I can think of to make him see the light....It will either burst his bubble or inspire him to do the work...Thanks you for taking time to reply...I hope I am doing the right thing....
Yeah.... Can't fly on talent alone these days. It's about mentality. Not being afraid of hard work, wanting it instead is the key. Good day or bad day...giving it 100% and then feeling good knowing that you gave it all. @ BD25 sure it's hard, sometimes, to bring this point across to young kid. I mean, look at jlaw. With the talent he had, if he had RDs mentality, he would still be up there. Instead, he gave up, found excuses not to work hard, quit! Anyone knows where he is???
i like this kid and his whole program. The Professor is the man, and hopefully Cooper keeps him close for his entire career. whatever bike he is on
@ BD25 Me and Mr-Mx saw Josh Hansen at Pala today on his ZOOK
@Professor - Your past is what defines you, and what Star Racing has done over the last five or so years is throw young riders to the side when they don't get the results right away. You want to know why the team is struggling? Because they give up on riders before they have the chance to prove themselves and now other teams have picked them up and are reaping the rewards (Durham and Hahn in particular). I won't forgive the team's past until they've proven they've changed, and they could start by resigning Peters. #LetPeterRide
DuluthMN... Guess he is putting in the work, bout time, what is he like 29 , should not bag on him, hope he proves me wrong ...the guy is talented and smooth as butter
DuluthMN
When are you an MrMx going to around Pala again ?
JimM
Pala374
@ JimboMX374 Sorry for the late get back probably the end of the year .We will be out for west SX swing............. We are headed in a round about way back towards home going to the N.C State and North Carolina football Saturday at Kenan Stadium and Martinville Va. for the Nascar race Sunday courtesy of JGR racing !
GO WOLFPACK!!!
my buddy at the track said that Lacoste is going to start making gear... is there any truth to that? seems like a weird choice but hey whatever