Cycle News Staff | December 15, 2023
Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing announced their three-rider 450 squad for the 2024 racing season with Eli Tomac, Cooper Webb, and Justin Cooper. All three riders are championship threats with titles already to their name. A few big take aways here – Tomac returning to action after a ruptured achilles at the end of the 2023 Supercross season. A1 will be the first time we’ve seen him on the gate since. Webb is also joining Yamaha for the full season after debuting with the team during the SMX playoffs. Interesting to see the dynamic with Webb and Tomac being teammates. Justin Cooper is making the full-time jump to the 450 division after a “tryout” ride in 23.
The 2024 Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing 450 team.
Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing heads into the highly anticipated 2024 Monster Energy AMA Supercross season ready for battle with three returning champions and the potent YZ450F. Two-time 450SX Champion and four-time Pro Motocross 450MX Champion Eli Tomac is joined by two-time 450SX Champion Cooper Webb and 2021 250SX West Champion Justin Cooper. The team is also excited to welcome Progressive Insurance to its industry-leading partners that support the team’s championship-winning pursuits in the SuperMotocross League.
2, 3, and 32.
Jeremy Coker – Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing 450 Team Manager: “We’re really excited about the upcoming season and are looking to win races and bring the number-one plate back. For what we were able to do last year with Eli and very little time on the new YZ450F, we feel we are in an even better position this year. It’s great to have Eli back healthy, and he’s looking great on the motorcycle. We’re also happy to have Coop (Cooper Webb) back with the team. We’ve had a productive off-season and can’t wait to get going and see the legacy he can build in this new chapter with the team. With Justin, we’re looking forward to having him on the 450 full time. He’s also been working hard this off-season, and we feel that we’re going to see some great things from him. We can’t wait to go racing at A1.”
Tomac returns for 2024.
Eli Tomac – “I’m feeling ready to go for the new season. My recovery has been really good, and I’ve been on track. I haven’t had any hiccups with it, and I feel like I’m in a good position to be competitive from Round 1 at Anaheim. We’re on the same motorcycle this year, and we feel really good about the package that we have. I’m just excited to get out there and go racing again, and hopefully be in that position to compete for the championship.”
Tomac.
Progressive is a new team sponsor for this year.
Cooper Webb – “I’m super excited to line up again in 2024 with the new team. Getting back on the Yamaha has been great so far, and we’ve had a great off-season. We’ve just been putting in the work here in Tallahassee and at the Farm. I had a good test last week with our suspension guy, so we made some progress there. I think we’re right on track with where we need to be. Obviously, it’s crunch time right now with the off-season boot camp and we’re putting in some work, that’s for sure, but I like where we are at. I’m feeling healthy, feeling strong, and feeling confident. So I can’t wait to line up for A1.”
Webb.
Webb is full-time Yamaha after debuting with the team during SMX.
Justin Cooper – “It’s the first 450 season for me, or at least the first full one. The main goal is to have a long, healthy season, but we also have to put in results. So for my rookie year, I’m going to come out swinging. I want to hit the podium multiple times in both series. I think that will be a good year for me, and yeah, just keep learning.”
Cooper makes his 450 debut in ’24.
J Coop’s ride.
