Ironman National MX: Webb ditches trainer after retirement thoughts

Red Bull KTM’s Cooper Webb made sweeping changes ahead of the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross round at Ironman, changing the frame on his 450SX-F and removing himself from the regime of trainer Aldon Baker.

Despite winning the 2021 Supercross crown, Webb has struggled outdoors and says he was on the verge of burn-out before opting to ditch long-time associate Baker. Webb managed an overall podium.

“I made that change after Redbud and for me, I was on the edge of being completely burnt out and not sure how much longer I wanted to race to be honest,” said Webb.

“To ride with Jett and Hunter, they are super fast and talented and being able to ride with other guys. We can push each other, and Joey is really great during the week, Justin is fun to be around and it was just a change of pace. I felt did the same thing for three and a half years and I needed something else, I am not sure where it’s all going to lead from here.

‘I am slowly improving and getting better with my riding and technique, and still working hard and getting quality riding and training in. It has been good and nice when you get results like this, to have it pay off a little bit.

“I have had great success and I don’t have issues of regrets, but doing the same thing, year after year and it was rewarding with supercross and stuff, I have always done really well and it was great while I was there. But I was at that point in my career and just needed a change.

“I am only 25 years old and to be having thoughts of retirement is crazy, just felt like i needed a change. I am still super competitive, and I have a great team behind me, that are super hard workers so we will get a super good program heading forward and looking forward to the challenges ahead.”

Webb didn’t go into the exact nature of his chassis alterations but it clearly helped.

‘We did a big change this week, a frame change. It seemed to be a lot better. I was struggling with the set-up, and this seemed to help me a lot and it wasn’t ideal to ask the team for it and hear the responses, but sometimes you have to trust your gut and the team made it happen and we got a good result, and I felt a lot more like myself.”