Yamalube/Star Racing Yamaha’s Cooper Webb started out the 2016 250cc Western Regional Supercross Series as a dominant, seemingly unstoppable force. But after a freak malfunction in Oakland three races ago, things haven’t quite been going his way.
At San Diego 2, round six of the series, Webb came into the event tied atop the points standings with Monster Energy/Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Joey Savatgy, which meant that between the two racers, whoever finished in front would lead the points as the series heads to Arlington, Texas, next weekend.
It was Savatgy’s teammate Chris Alldredge who grabbed the main-event holeshot, but just past the finish line, his bike quit, which handed the lead to Savatgy. It wasn’t long before Webb was on Savatgy, and after numerous laps and pass attempts, it was apparent that Webb was being very patient. That patience didn’t pay off, though, as Webb lost the front end on the slick surface and went down, falling back a few spots.
At that point, Savatgy had a clear road in front of him and took off with his second main-event victory of the season, and of his career, while Webb found himself fighting back through the top few racers in the field.
Webb was able to secure second place from last week’s winner, GEICO Honda’s Christian Craig, with a few laps to go, and that’s how they finished, with Savatgy winning over Webb and Craig.
“It feels great to get another win,” said Savatgy. “I’m just so excited to be back here and in the points lead.”
“I just tucked the front end. Just a mistake by me,” explained Webb. “I was able to get up and not lose too much time. It was early in the race so I was able to get those spots back. I just need to stop crashing.”
CycleTrader.com/Rock River Yamaha’s Colt Nichols put in another strong ride and finished fourth, while Rockstar Energy Husqvarna’s Zach Osborne rounded out the top five.
Savatgy leads the points standings by three as the series heads to Texas. Craig is third, 13 points behind Webb.
-Steve Cox
Western Regional 250SX Class Results
- Joey Savatgy, Thomasville, Ga., Kawasaki
- Cooper Webb, Newport, N.C., Yamaha
- Christian Craig, Corona, Calif., Honda
- Colt Nichols, Muskogee, Okla., Yamaha
- Zach Osborne, Lake Elsinore, Calif., Husqvarna
- Mitchell Oldenburg, Alvord, Texas, KTM
- Jimmy DeCotis, Peabody, Mass., Honda
- Kyle Peters, Greensboro, N.C., Honda
- Cole Thompson, Brigden, Canada, KTM
- Cole Martinez, Rimrock, Ariz., Yamaha
Western Regional 250SX Class Championship Standings
- Joey Savatgy, Thomasville, Ga., Kawasaki – 123
- Cooper Webb, Newport, N.C., Yamaha – 120
- Christian Craig, Corona, Calif., Honda – 107
- Colt Nichols, Muskogee, Okla., Yamaha – 99
- Zach Osborne, Lake Elsinore, Calif., Husqvarna – 90
- Jimmy DeCotis, Peabody, Mass., Honda – 85
- Mitchell Oldenburg, Alvord, Texas, KTM – 81
- Kyle Peters, Greensboro, N.C., Honda – 75
- Kyle Cunningham, Willow Park, Texas, Suzuki – 64
- Jordon Smith, Belmont, N.C., Honda – 63
