Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing pilot Cooper Webb, the defending Monster Energy Supercross champion and current third placed rider in the current 2025 SuperMotocross World Championship point stable, is now on the injured reserve list. Tweaking his left knee in a qualifying session at the RedBud National, Webb went straight home and into medical recovery mode to get the knee addressed and attended to. Undergoing a relatively minor surgery procedure (after tearing his meniscus) and the operation now complete, Webb is back home in Florida and healing up before heading out for SMX World Championship Playoff 1 set for zMAX Dragway in Concord, North Carolina. A local race for the man raised in Newport, North Carolina, Webb is keen to get back to work and over the weekend provides us with a status report on his current reality.
“Today was my first day back riding after getting my knee fixed, so it was a good day,” explained the three-time Monster Energy Supercross champion. “I got my meniscus fixed. They went in and put some internal stitches in and cleaned it up on the inside and today marks four and a half weeks. We’re ahead of schedule and we just rode today for the first time to kind of see how it all felt and everything went smoothly. We’ll start SMX preparation on Monday and we’ll have about a three week block to try to get ready for the Charlotte SMX. Other than that, yeah, we’ve been doing a lot of rehab and therapy to get my knee back as soon as we can. It’s taken a lot of hard work to get back this soon, but I’m glad that we’re in a position to be able to be riding right now, which is great.”
Third in the SuperMotocross 450SMX points and 114 marks adrift of title chase leader and teammate Justin Cooper, Webb is optimistic about making a full-on run to the front of the pack. For the playoffs, the points will reset and Webb will have just a few marks to make up on his competitors.
“We’re right there in the mix,” said Webb, enthused with the situation. “I’m still second as it stands right now. We have one motocross race left right now. I’ll either be third or fourth depending on how some of the guys do, but yeah, I’ve given myself a great shot to try and go after a good result. It’s tough because I’ve been injured. I’m going to be a little bit behind the eight ball just coming back from an injury for these upcoming SMX rounds, but I’ll be ready.”
First turning professional back in 2013, Webb, among the elite racers of the modern era, talked a bit about watching the world go by when out of action due to injury.
“It’s so up-and-down, right?” reasoned Webb. “You never want to get injured and you don’t want to miss time with an injury. It’s a bummer for me. I had this injury without crashing. I just ripped my foot off the footpeg and that was what caused it, it’s definitely frustrating when it was not even from a crash, right? It’s good and bad, right? It gives you a little bit of down time, which sometimes you need. Sometimes you don’t. For me and having two daughters, it kind of gives me a chance to be around them a lot more. Honestly, when you’re injured, the first week or two when you can’t do much it’s pretty frustrating. You feel kind of helpless and if anything, you actually start working harder to get back from injury. It’s kind of crazy. I’m having more time in the gym, and more time recovering and at the doctors and the physical therapy and so on and so forth. It’s up and down and it’s always a good little reset and reminder of how much we really do enjoy racing. Like after riding today, I’m all smiles and just happy. It definitely can be frustrating, but you learn to deal with it, for sure.”
Returning from an injury hiatus and all, Webb wants to display top form and be in the hunt for podium visits come the launch of the SMX Playoffs.
“I mean I want to be up there, right? I think I’ve gotten fourth and fifth in the series the first two years. Honestly, I think a small goal is just to be top five again, right? I think that’s a good goal. What I’m shooting for is to try and be up there in the running of the championship, right? I’d love to get an SMX race win. I’ve never been able to do that before. I think if I can do that, then I’m going to be competing for that championship. Like I said, I’m coming in seeded really nicely, which is the first time I’ve been able to come in seeded at the higher end, which is nice. The SMX round like St. Louis looks to be a little bit more supercross-oriented so that should suit me well. I’ve raced Charlotte, I’ve raced Las Vegas and I kind of know what to expect there. I just want to be in the fight, you know? Thar’s my goal. Especially after winning the supercross championship this year. I want to come in and be on that podium or fighting for a win if it’s there. Yeah, I just want to be around that top five. I’d like to be up towards the front.”
Of course, Cooper Webb would be very happy to get some more wins.
“Winning, it’s an addicting feeling, right? I think any champion would say the same. It’s like we’re really proud of what we’ve done, but I think that’s what makes us champions. We’re always chasing what’s next and that next goal and that next thing. It’s a bit tough. I’ll be coming back from injury and my mind is going to be ready to go win and be up front, but I’m not sure if the body is going to quite be there If I’m being completely honest. Especially with knee stuff. With that being said, that’s why we line up and that’s why we race. We saw last year when Jett Lawrence came back from an injury and did really well. You never know, right? Sometimes you can be behind the eight ball or you can come in and be ahead of what you thought you would. As far as the motivation, it’s always there. I’m as driven as ever. That never goes away. That’s why I race. It’s to be competitive and be a champion and be up towards the front.”
Webb’s thoughts on Honda’s Jett Lawrence and the grasp he currently has on the entire sport?
“Man, he’s making our life tough, that’s for dang sure. It makes you better, man. I believe he’s a generational talent. And not only with his talent, but his work ethic and his mental approach to the sport. He’s all-in to be a champion. As far as pure talent, he’s by the far the most talented individual that I’ve ever raced. Makes life hard, but it ultimately does make you a better and a stronger rider, that’s for sure. As always, he’s going to be tough as nails.”
Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing has done an excellent job of working with and getting the most out of Cooper Webb.
“Yeah, man, it’s been awesome. When I made that change a few years back now, it was exactly what I was looking for. Our personalities jell really well and I really enjoy riding the motorcycle. It’s been great, man, to be reunited with the Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing team. They were the people that kind of started my career in the 250 class. We had a lot of success there. To have really good success with them these last few years in getting a first and a second in supercross has been really good. I’m as stoked as ever. I’m looking forward to going out there with the number one plate in supercross. It’s what we strive for.”
And the interview with Cooper Webb would not be complete until he spoke about his new purchase of Top Gun MX Park in Iron Station, North Carolina.
“Yeah, so I just purchased a track in North Carolina, just outside of Charlotte. It’s called Top Gun MX in Iron Station, North Carolina. Yeah man, I wasn’t really looking for anything and it honestly just kind of fell across my lap. The former owner was looking to get rid of it and he wanted to sell it to a moto person and I had a few people tell me about it. The stars aligned and it was good timing for me and a good purchase. It’s just a great track with a great community already. They have night practices. That’s kind of what our goal us, just keep it going and try to expand on it. It’s a really tight North Carolina community that comes out there and rides. From 50s to Vet riders, to A riders and Advanced riders, it’s just a really solid track for everyone to come out and have fun. And that’s our goal. We’ll have announcements all over our Instagram and Facebook and website. This minute we’re working to have the grand opening on September 4, which is the Thursday night before the Charlotte SMX. Feel free to come out. I’ll be there; Damon Bradshaw is going to be there. I think my Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing teammates will also be there. We’re looking forward to it, man. It’s a new endeavor and we are going to learn along the way. Yeah, I just wanted to do it to give back to the moto community, especially in North Carolina. It’s what I grew up doing. I was racing and riding all over North Carolina and hopefully I can inspire the next generation to do the same thing.”
