Cooper Webb makes a break after the break by collecting series win number five at Levi’s Stadium near San Francisco.
Yamalube/Star Racing/Yamaha’s Cooper Webb only further solidified his grasp on the 2016 Monster Energy AMA 250SX West Supercross Series by collecting his fifth win of the season when the West riders got back into action on a cool and windy evening at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, tonight.
Webb, who, only finished third in his heat race, didn’t get off to another mediocre start when the 22-rider 15-lap main event left the gate. Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Zach Osborne, pulled the holeshot to lead the field with Yamaha’s Mitchell Harrison and Suzuki’s Kyle Cunningham slotting into second and third place respectively while Webb was mired in eighth place. There was a tense moment on the opening lap when Hayden Melross endo’d at the end of one of the rhythm sections and rode out a high-speed nose wheelie up and over the next berm, crashing in spectacular fashion. Melross did not appear to be seriously injured, although he was grasping his abdomen where he had slammed into the metal fence that lines the starting gate area.
Osborne looked strong in the early laps as he continued to build a lead over Harrison and Alex Martin, who had displaced Cunningham for third place on lap two, but Webb was already beginning his charge through the field, as he picked his way into sixth place. That already gave Webb an advantage over title rivals, Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Joey Savatgy, who ran eighth, and GEICO Honda’s Christian Craig, who ran 10th.
But Webb still had more in the tank. After passing Honda’s Peters for fifth place, he shot past Cunningham for fourth place just before the finish line jump on lap four. Savatgy also began to work through the pack, passing Cunningham right after Webb did to run fifth, only a few bike lengths off Webb’s rear fender. Osborne continued to click off clean laps out front, building his advantage over dueling Yamaha riders Harrison and Martin to 2.4 seconds.
Teammates Martin and Webb displaced Harrison to run second and third respectively on lap eight, and Webb then passed Martin to take over second. Savatgy did the same, keeping Webb in sight for the time being.
At that point, Osborne still had a 2.1-second lead over Webb, but the Yamaha rider began to uncork even faster laps, and he was on Osborne’s tail in just a few laps. Webb then made an aggressive pass on Osborne in a left-hand corner to take the lead. Osborne had no answer, and Webb went on to win claim his 11th career Monster Energy 250cc win by 1.3 seconds.
“I did what I could,” Webb said. “In the heat race I got a terrible start, and I didn’t make anything of it, so I was not too happy after that. I got a decent start [in the main]. I just put my head down and was making some quick passes. You know, Zach was riding really well, and I knew he was going to be hard to beat, so I knew I had to make the pass quick and make it stick. So, I was stoked on that. I rode a little bit tight when I got in the lead, but it all worked out. I was getting bored sitting at home. I’m like a bull: I just gotta be let free and go!”
Osborne’s second-place finish moved him to fourth in the Monster Energy AMA 250SX West Series points standings, but he was clearly not happy to miss another opportunity for his first win of the season.
“I had a comfortable little gap, and just the lappers held me up a tiny bit, and that allowed him [Webb] to get close to me,” Osborne said. “He got a run on me, and went straight down the inside. It was close, like three laps short, but it is what it is. I’m thankful to be up here on the podium. My best friend’s mom passed away this week, so I want to give a shout out to him and just tell him that we’re praying for him, and thank him and his family’s support throughout my whole career. It’s really good to be up here and go into the break with some good momentum. We’ll come out swinging in Vegas.”
Savatgy held on for third and Craig moved all the way up to fourth place, ahead of Troy Lee Designs/Red Bull/KTM’s Mitchell Oldenburg, but Webb’s win gave him even more of a cushion over Savatgy and Craig. Webb now leads the series with 170 points to Savatgy’s 154. Craig is third with 147.
2016 Monster Energy AMA 250SX West Supercross Series
Levi’s Stadium
Santa Clara, California
Results: April 2, 2016 (Round 7 of 8)
250 Main
1. Cooper Webb-Yam
2. Zach Osborne-Hus
3. Joey Savatgy-Kaw
4. Christian Craig-Hon
5. Mitchell Oldenburg-KTM
6. Colt Nichols-Yam
7. Jordon Smith-Hon
8. Kyle Peters-Hon
9. Alex Martin-Yam
10. Michael Leib-Yam
11. Jimmy Decotis-Hon
12. Kyle Cunningham-Suz
13. Noah McConahy-Hus
14. Chris Alldredge-Kaw
15. Scott Champion-Yam
16. Chris Howell-Hus
17. Ryan Breece-Yam
18. Mitchell Harrison-Yam
19. Fredrik Noren-Hon
20. Blake Lilly-KTM
21. Cole Martinez-Yam
22. Hayden Melross-Yam
2016 Monster Energy AMA 250SX West Supercross Series Points Standings (after 7 of 8 rounds)
1. Cooper Webb-170/5 wins
2. Joey Savatgy-154/2 wins
3. Christian Craig-147/1 win
4. Zach Osborne-132
5. Colt Nichols-132
6. Mitchell Oldenburg-113
7. Jimmy Decotis-109
8. Kyle Peters-100
9. Kyle Cunningham-78
10. Jordon Smith-77
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