JUSTIN COOPER

With arguably as much talent as anyone in the field, Yamaha’s Justin Cooper was visualizing a successful beginning to his 450cc MX quest for this Memorial Day Weekend segment of competition. Cooper was sensational on every layout he’d ridden thus far in his professional career, and had no sign(s) of slowing down as engines revved in the opening moto on Saturday.  Beginning the fifteen-lap contest in fourth, he was stealth-like when residing behind Hunter Lawrence, looking to contend against the former 250cc rival while also being hounded by Justin Barcia. By lap six, it was Dylan Ferrandis who had now obtained the position behind him — and didn’t appear to cut Cooper any slack, especially with the French rider being classified as a veteran of the series. Ferrandis was relentless in his pursuit of the optimal inside or outside pathway, and made the pass stick (for a brief while, at least) on the eleventh circuit. However, a mistake by the former 450cc MX Champion would enable Cooper to move forward — but the road to the checkered flag was far from over, in regard to the pressure that was being put forth by Chase Sexton. From seemingly out of nowhere, the Illinois resident would come flying into the picture...and wait for the perfect moment to pounce, while aspiring to move ahead of the New York resident. It was in a slow, acute, right-handed bend on the last lap...where the situation was rather camouflaged by a multitude of lapped riders. At that point, Cooper felt compelled to swing wide and hit the furthest outside line...almost rolling through the corner as Sexton surprised everyone, and snuck to the inside! This carried Chase to fourth in the standings, where Justin was forced to reside fifth as engines ceased. Despite being collected in a first turn pile-up for the second moto of the afternoon, Cooper immediately engaged in speeds that were paralleled with those at the front of the pack. After ten minutes of competition, he hovered around the thirteenth-place position while seeking to climb to single-digit territory. He had acquired eleventh by lap six, but would undergo quite the battle with Michigan native Marshal Weltin. The Gizmo Mods/Rock River/Yamaha athlete was resilient in his defense ahead of Cooper and kept the former 250cc standout at bay for a significant portion of time. However, Justin’s determined spirit eventually empowered him to overtake Weltin, Noren, and Nicoletti as the checkered flag was waved..equating to a score of eighth in this particular moto, for sixth in the overall standings.