Challenging start to 2026 for reigning premier class champion.
Reigning 450SX champion Cooper Webb cut a dejected figure following Saturday’s Anaheim 2 main event, with his season-high P5 adding to what has been a largely challenging opening three rounds. He labelled the night as potentially a ‘nail in the coffin’ for his title defense, but with 14 rounds remaining, plenty of points are still on the table.
In a season where uncertainty surrounded both Eli Tomac – now at Red Bull KTM – and Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Chase Sexton amid major program overhauls, Webb stood out as the known commodity. The three-time number one was even granted the green light to line up aboard last year’s title-winning YZ450F, signaling all systems go for the Monster Energy Supercross champion.
The signs suggested this could be the best version of Webb to date, yet three rounds into the new season, the North Carolinian has recorded 7-8-5 finishes and finds himself sixth overall, already 24 points down on series leader Tomac.
While not ideal, the situation is far from disastrous, with Webb’s post-race commentary inside Angel Stadium likely the product of a microphone being placed in front of him while emotions were running at their highest. And, it’s understood he thought the deficit was in fact larger than 24 at the time.
The ever-outspoken Webb also took a shot in the direction of Jorge Prado (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) following a start-straight handlebar tangle that appeared to be a run-of-the-mill incident when riders are in such proximity. The point is, Webb was fired up and didn’t mince his words when the opportunity to speak presented itself.
“It’s been hell to be honest, to start the beginning of the year, but it’s part of the sport,” Webb admitted. “You do everything right, and sometimes you just get your teeth kicked in. I was happy with tonight, I was riding well – you know, it’s rare when I’m right there with the number three, and if anything, [he’s] kind of holding me back a little bit.
“With that being said, I can’t be too mad at myself. I was just trying to go ahead and get a pass lined up in the sand, and I made a mistake and went down. It’s just a bummer, like I said, I feel like tonight may or may not have put a nail in the coffin for a title defense, so it’s bittersweet, but in this sport, nothing is over until it is over.
“We’ll keep training – keep working hard, I felt like I made a big stride tonight, I think I was one of the better guys out there, I just..with [Jorge] Prado on the start, and Hunter [Lawrence], that was an unfortunate thing that we all have to deal with I guess when we are next to Prado, so, just, yeah.
“It’s racing, I’m bummed, pissed, not good results, but it’s not for a lack of effort, and the heart is there, it’s just getting on the same pony that kicks you off, and riding it out. We’ll be back next week, that’s for sure.”
There’s promise in not being too hard on himself, as the speed has been typically solid from the outset. At A1, if it weren’t for a serious multi-rider incident that brought out a red flag on the opening lap of the main event, we could very easily be talking about a Cooper Webb season-opening victory, having already established a couple of bike lengths’ advantage before the restart.
San Diego was a mixed outing, not helped by an aggressive move from Sexton that resulted in a crash, while a failed pass attempt on Tomac last weekend also proved costly, ending in a fall where a podium was on offer. Combine potential 1-7-3 results, and that could have equated to as many as 59 points – just 11 shy of Tomac as the series departs California.
While that is now purely hypothetical, it serves to underline Webb’s genuine pace, with minor mistakes proving costly in the opening rounds of the 2026 season. That said, his title challenge is far from over, even if he’s questioned it himself.
Three moments come to mind to support this. In 2002, Ricky Carmichael crashed out of the Supercross season-opener in Anaheim, surrendering 25 points to title rival David Vuillemin. Carmichael would then record 4-4 finishes across the next two rounds before returning to the top step by round four in Phoenix, ultimately claiming 11 wins from the 16-round series to secure the championship.
A similar scenario unfolded for James Stewart in 2009, with a DNF at A1 followed by seven consecutive premier class victories and a composed run to ultimately claim the championship. Likewise, Ryan Villopoto finished a lowly P16 at the 2013 season-opener, before a five-race win streak between rounds nine and 13 proved decisive in securing a successful 450SX title defense.
The point is that the deficit Webb faces can be overcome, as history has shown on multiple occasions. A hallmark of success remains straightforward – race victories. Win as many as possible, and steadily claw back points as the series progresses, as demonstrated by the examples outlined.
What comes into question is Webb’s ability to deliver, as he is better known for strategic management across a 17-round championship than outright pace. That approach is largely off the table now, with multiple race wins required to reduce the points gap to a rider like Tomac – a two-time 450SX champion in his own right.
Is Webb’s title defense over? Not at this point. But, he must be prepared to work outside of his comfort zone and target victories from here on out. That’s what it will take for the three-time 450SX champion to make it four this year, joining the likes of Carmichael, Villopoto, Jeremy McGrath, and Ryan Dungey in the elite group of riders to lift the crown on at least four occasions.
Monday, February 2, 2026 at 3:33PM 
