Cooper Webb & KTM Mutually Agree To Midseason Split
Share
Red Bull KTM and Cooper Webb have announced an immediate end to their working relationship, a mutually agreed decision that comes after five seasons, two 450 SX championships, 21 Main Event wins, one Pro Motocross overall victory, and 53 total podiums together.
The press release outlines the reasons behind the decision, including the back-and-forth between rider and team that led to a last-minute decision to race the Pro Motocross Championship and that the break-up will allow Webb to “move on to the next chapter of his racing career.”
“Cooper had the option in his contract as to whether he wanted to race outdoors and he decided at Daytona that he would not compete in AMA Pro Motocross in 2023,” explained Red Bull KTM Team Manager Ian Harrison in the group statement. “However, following his SX season-ending crash in Nashville, Cooper reached out about racing MX and KTM agreed to support him for the summer. Both sides came into the series somewhat underprepared and a practice crash before RedBud sidelined Cooper once again.”
(Webb’s absence at RedBud was peculiar, as it wasn’t announced until just before the weekend and the team’s post-race debrief said nothing about a potential return.)
“Both Cooper and the team have decided to part ways, this will give him time to recover and then move on to the next chapter of his racing career,” continued Harrison in the separation announcement. “The team and myself wish him all the best. I will always be reminded of the success we have had together because Cooper’s championship bikes and trophies stand proudly in the KTM race shop lobby.”
Webb and KTM’s future has been a topic of discussion throughout the year, a situation that’s been influenced by everything from the latest iteration of the 450 SX-F motorcycle and Chase Sexton’s highly-anticipated signing with Red Bull KTM 2024 to Eli Tomac’s retirement decision and a potential vacant spot at Monster Energy/Star Racing/Yamaha.
A return to Star Racing, the team that supported the rider through his 250 Class career, has been rumored for months.
Webb is currently second overall in the SuperMotocross Championship standings. He trails leader Chase Sexton by seven points, but has a significant advantage over others in the rankings (92 points more than fourth place Adam Cianciarulo, 201 on ninth place Jett Lawrence).
I started rooting for Cooper back when he and Jeremy were fighting for wins and his amateur days and have been a great fan of his all the way up and wish him nothing but the best. If Motocross is not for you Cooper then whatever you do you’ll do it well take care of your wife and your family and love is what you need.