Cooper Webb (Back) Out for Motocross Season
Cooper Webb logged the fastest qualifying time in the first 450MX session of the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross season, ended up second overall in qualifying after both sessions, and looked strong early in the first moto of the year. Then it began to go south for the Red Bull KTM rider, who struggled late in both motos to log 5-8 scores and seventh overall.
A KTM statement after the race explained that Webb was experiencing pain that dated all the way back to his big crash at the Dallas Supercross in February.
"The second moto, I had a bad start and on about the fourth lap I landed really weird and jammed my back, so I’m not sure what’s going on but I was in a lot of pain for the rest of that race," said Webb. "I’ve been dealing with a pre-existing back issue from Dallas so I’m going to get it looked at this week so I can be ready to go next Saturday.”
Unfortunately, Webb won't go this Saturday, or the next. This evening his team announced he will sit out the remainder of the season. KTM's press release is below.
MURRIETA, Calif. – The Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Team announced today that Cooper Webb will sit out for the remainder of the 2020 AMA Pro Motocross Championship after reigniting an ongoing back injury at the Loretta Lynn’s National last Saturday.
After suffering a nasty crash earlier this year at Arlington SX, Webb has continued to experience nagging pains in his back. Despite the pain, Webb lined up for the season opener in Tennessee and he re-tweaked it right away during practice. Being the determined rider that he is, Webb continued to push through the day but he found himself in excruciating pain once again after a tough landing in Moto 2 further aggravated the previous injury. Webb finished out the day with a notable seventh overall and immediately sought medical attention this week.
It was confirmed that Webb has sustained multiple herniated discs in his back and his medical team is underway assessing options for recovery. In the meantime, the 2019 AMA Supercross Champion will be sidelined for the remainder of the 2020 race season.
Team Manager, Ian Harrison: “We are very proud of the way that Cooper has handled this situation and the heart that he has shown to even finish out the SX season and line up for the opening round of MX after such a big crash earlier in year. We understand how disappointing this is for him but the whole team is here to support him and do what is best for him long-term to be healthy.”
Marvin Musquin and the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Team will line up once again at Loretta Lynn Ranch in Hurricane Mills, Tennessee this Saturday for Round 2 of the AMA Pro Motocross Championship.
[Update: August 18, 8 p.m. Eastern]
Webb has added a social media post with more details of the injury.
