Cooper Webb on: Proving a Point, Tough Track Conditions 2

Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing's Cooper Webb took the top spot of the podium in Seattle, Washington, for the fourth time in 2025 and puts himself in sole custody of eighth on the all-time 450 Supercross wins list with 29. Webb entered Seattle with a point to prove after having his points lead cut in half in Birmingham and was determined to shift the momentum back in his favor. 

During the post-race press conference, Webb addressed the media about the difficulties of the Seattle track conditions, shifting the narrative, bike changes made, and more. With just six rounds of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross series left, the Yamaha rider has an eleven gap over Chase Sexton and is ready for the challenge that awaits.

Press Conference: We know you're great in Seattle and shine in these environments, but there are no guarantees. Did tonight test you?

Cooper Webb: Yeah, it did, for sure. I had the holeshot and led laps but then got passed. It definitely was tough and challenging all day. It was positive that it wasn't a mudder. It was testing. Chase (Sexton) was doing that rhythm, which was hard to get and really fast. I'm mind blown that he was getting it, but I just kept my head in it and kept going. You never know what can happen with lappers and mistakes, but we were pushing a gnarly limit late in the race compared to how the track was. It's crazy how it ended up, and overall, I'm pumped to get a win. I was fired up, and it felt good. 

Compare this race to last year in Seattle, where Chase lost to you by less than a second. How similar were track conditions, and were you having flashbacks?

There were similarities, but it was different. I felt there was nowhere else to go tonight, and staying out of the ruts in some sections was physically impossible. Last year, I feel, you could get the rhythms almost every lap, whereas tonight, you couldn't. Tonight, with it having slower lap times, we did more laps, and it got a bit more gnarly. I wish we had GoPros or Insta360s so people could see how insane it is.

Seeing the top four within a few seconds of each other was incredible. Knowing the dynamic between you guys, Chase being friends with Kenny (Roczen), and you riding with Justin Cooper all the time, he’s hounding you while Ken controls the pace. What was the strategy of that?

I kind of got out front and was in trail-riding mode while the guys behind me were coming. Ken got around me, and after a bit, you could tell he started laboring. That's where I felt we were kind of getting held up, but it was hard to make passes. You don't want to be too aggressive early, but then Chase got both of us. For me, I had to go. Chase's pace was going to be high, and once I got around Ken, I took a breath and started upping the pace to try and match Chase's speed. We were pushing the pace in the last half, and it was a fun race. There was a lot of thinking about risk versus reward, points, lappers, the track, and so much going on while trying to survive. 

You made some comments earlier today after you got the fastest lap in timed qualifying. You both know it's time to get serious, and there will be no more Triple Crowns. How is it to just have heads-up racing going forward?

It's fun for me. I love these positions, and I think that's what today was all about. Last weekend was very tough, and it was a huge momentum swing. I know how great Chase is, and I made it a mission to stop his momentum. Getting a win is amazing for me, but as you said, it's heads-up racing. It could have gone either way because we were that close. Last weekend, he was the best guy by far, so making progress and getting the ball rolling on my side in a week was important. It's still close, and there is no room for mistakes. It's coming to an end, and you never know. There is a lot of racing left, but I was trying to nip it in the bud.

Talk about that momentum swing and what it does to you throughout the week. Coming into this weekend, did you feel disrespected for not being the fastest rider?

I don't think it's disrespect. It's racing, and in any sport, there is momentum. Some people heat up, and you see the trajectory. Pre-Birmingham was really good, and then it got cut in half. The narrative shifted. I don't want to use the word disrespect, but it was like, "Oh man, Coop is struggling, and Chase has stepped it up. He's in the hot seat now." Which was rightfully so, but as I said, I emphasized getting back to work and proving a point. As you can see, the conditions were insane, so everything we worked on, such as roll speed, went out the window. I felt great in first qualifying, but it went downhill, and I was off afterward. So, to line up in the main event and put myself back into position to run the pace to potentially win and then win was huge. 

Did you feel Chase coming into that last turn so hot?

I definitely made sure there was no way for him to get it in there unless we went through the bails. I expected him to do that fast rhythm and get closer than he did. Looking back, I had more room than I thought but wasn't taking any chances. 

What changes did you make to your bike between the heat and the main event?

I actually did make a change tonight for the first time in a long, long time. We made a shock and fork change, which isn't like me, but it paid off. I have to give it up to Gilly (Ricki Gilmour) and the boys for doing a great job.