Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Cooper Webb had a statement performance inside ‘The World Center of Racing’ on Saturday, where he made a striking last-lap pass to secure second-place at the Daytona SX in Florida. With his fourth consecutive podium appearance at Round 9, Webb continues his momentous run for a second-career title in the 450SX class.
With wet and rainy conditions leading up to race day, everyone was preparing for the worst but conditions turned out to be ideal for the evening’s racing. Webb remained strong all day, beginning with a fourth-place qualifying position earlier in the day. He powered his KTM 450 SX-F FACTORY EDITION off the line of 450SX Heat 1 and assumed the early lead. Fending off some pressure from the second-place rider, Webb raced his way to a heat race victory in Daytona.
In the Main Event, Webb got off to a second-place start and battled up front early on. He engaged in a close battle for second before dropping back to third four laps in, but he kept his eyes on the prize as he diligently worked his way through the next 14 laps. Webb put on a valiant last-lap charge to overtake second just before the checkers, gaining valuable points in the final moments of the race. With eight rounds remaining, Webb now sits only two points down in the championship standings.
Webb: “It was a great night. I was trying to hang with Eli but he was hauling butt. I definitely rode pretty tight that Main Event but is what it is, I put my head down there at the end and made some good lap times and I was able to get AP there at the end, which was nice to get another podium tonight. It’s always fun coming to Daytona, it’s always a great event.”
Musquin had a solid start to the day, qualifying fifth before heading into 450SX Heat 2. Musquin got a fourth-place start in the heat and he raced a solid pace to earn a fourth-place transfer into the Main Event. He grabbed a top-five start in the Main Event but a mistake sent him back a few spots early on. After charging his way back into the top-five battle late in the race, Musquin soon found himself in the mechanic’s area with an issue and he ultimately made the tough decision to pull off with four laps to go.
Musquin: “I was glad to be back at Daytona after only being able to watch last year. The riding was good today. I made a mistake and got passed by two guys but I fought my way back up to Ken [Roczen] and Cooper and unfortunately, I started hearing noise in the engine. I didn’t know what was wrong and I couldn’t keep going and take risk with that without knowing what was going on, so unfortunately, I had to DNF. It’s heartbreaking, I can’t believe it. Those situations are tough to accept but we’re moving onto Dallas for a week of racing and it should be good.”
Next Race: Arlington, Texas – March 13, 2021
Results 450SX Class – Daytona
1. Eli Tomac (USA), Kawasaki, 18 laps
2. Cooper Webb (USA), KTM, +3.856
3. Aaron Plessinger (USA), Yamaha, +4.523
OTHER KTM
9. Justin Bogle (USA), KTM
12. Joey Savatgy (USA), KTM
16. Martin Davalos (ECQ), KTM
21. Marvin Musquin (FRA), KTM
Standings 450SX Class 2021 after 9 of 17 rounds
1. Roczen, 199 points
2. Webb, 197
3. Tomac, 175
OTHER KTM
6. Musquin, 135
12. Savatgy, 95
17. Davalos, 57