Free-agent' Webb to determine future beyond 2026
'I would love to keep going though at a supercross level'
Reigning Monster Energy Supercross champion Cooper Webb will work to determine his future beyond a third 450SX title defense in 2026, not ruling out a supercross-only deal for the following year.
The Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing rider turned 30 in November and, after winning premier class titles in 2019, 2021 and 2025, Webb intends to race-on in 2027.
It’s been suggested that the North Carolina native is considering an supercross-only program that would be headlined by continuing in the high-profile US series, in addition to an international schedule that could extend to either WSX or the Australian-based AUSX championship. It’s unclear if that would be inclusive of the lucrative SMX post-season.
“I’d love to keep racing past [next] year, but I am a free-agent after [next] year,” Webb explained at SMX Media Days. “So just deciding… you know, I think at this point, I don’t know where I’m at. I’m still enjoying it and I’m as hungry as I’ve ever been, which I love that part.
“Like I said, I’m more fired up right now to go defend than I probably ever have been, so the motivation’s still clearly there. But it’s like anything – as you get older, there’s a lot of other things that come into this sport. I’ve achieved a lot and want to continue to achieve that, and I feel like if I’m able to do that, I’ll keep going.
“And obviously, I think I’d probably transfer into a supercross-only side of things. Clearly, that’s kind of my specialty, but we’ll see. I’m all-in on this year, and that’s kind of been my goal this whole year – after this year, we’ll kind of reassess and decide. I would love to keep going though at a supercross level, for sure.
“You know, I think certain things like the excitement of when you’re young, you’ll never replace that, right? And just like learning those things, but I am genuinely enjoying it. But it doesn’t get easier, you know, the competition gets gnarlier. There is pressure when you win, which is part of it, but it definitely takes sometimes the fun out of it.
“With me, I’ve always felt like I’ve had a good way of handling that pressure and I enjoy having that pressure, so I think that’s what’s maybe kept me in it maybe longer than others. And yeah, I mean being around good people, good team, having something to wake up every morning and go chase is exciting, and as I’m getting older I really do appreciate that.
“And having a family now, like it’s cool to be able to share these moments with them and travel the world and have a more deep purpose of like, ‘Hey, I’m not just doing it for myself anymore – I’m doing it for my wife and kids.’ So yeah, it’s a sweet journey. Obviously, it’s been very rewarding up to this point. And we’ll see… I got this year and we’ll go from there.”
Webb has previously contested the off-season Paris Supercross and AUSX Open events, and made his World Supercross debut in Australia last month. His lone Pro Motocross title came in 250MX during the 2016 season, while his success in the SMX playoffs has been mixed since its introduction in 2023.
With a new YZ450F being introduced by Yamaha for 2026, Webb is in the early development stages with the latest generation model, and has taken charge of development following the departure of former teammate Eli Tomac to Red Bull KTM at the end of last season.
“It’s been very busy,” he commented. “Obviously, we got the new bike, so we’ve been just working through that. Like anything, just taking time, waiting on parts, putting them on, trying them – all those kinds of things. I’m kind of the guy to do it all now, we don’t have [Eli Tomac] here anymore.
“So, I’ve been basically developing it solo, and yeah, obviously did those two off-season races. It’s been wide-open, that’s for sure. And then you’re just always fighting something, whether it’s weather or, obviously as the champ, you’ve got a lot of obligations you’ve got to do, which is a part of it.
“It’s been quite hectic, but I’m enjoying it. It’s a process, and we’ve had some long days. I think I’m in a good spot. Like I said, as far as my experience and where I sit mentally, I’m happy. With a new bike, there is some challenges that you don’t prepare for sometimes – we’ll keep working on that. I’m sure we’ll be ready once that time comes.”