Image: Octopi Media.

Current Monster Energy Supercross champion Cooper Webb has labelled the sand section of Tampa as ‘kind of weird for Supercross’ after finishing second in the main event.

The extensive sand section which included a left-hand turn proved inconsistent for a wide number of riders throughout the first east coast round of 2020.

Red Bull KTM’s Webb said it was difficult to see when positioned behind riders in the heat of battle and that it somewhat disrupted the track’s flow, which made for added challenges during round seven.

“It was definitely something different and when you were behind it was definitely hard to see in that super-white sand,” Webb commented. “It seemed like in Tampa they did that in ’18, but it was tricky all day.

“It was easy to make mistakes, so a little different and it kinda took your flow away. Overall, it was kind of a weird section for Supercross.”

Webb remains third in the points as the midway point of the 17-round season looms, currently 11 points away from new red plate-holder Eli Tomac (Monster Energy Kawasaki) going into Arlington on Saturday.

Image: Foremost Media.

AORC champion Daniel Sanders believes his ongoing connection with newly-appointed Husqvarna Enduro Racing Team coordinator Ben Grabham will only benefit him as the 2020 season-opener approaches this weekend.

Sanders has worked with Grabham – who operates Grabbo’s Trail and Track away from his role with Husqvarna – as a riding coach in recent years, the former off-road great assisting him to the most successful season of his career in 2019.

“This year it’s good having Grabbo with what I’m doing in Australia,” Sanders explained to MotoOnline.com.au. “Especially with Finke – we’ll be off on our own there – but having him there for that, the AORC and A4DE, he’s probably the best secret weapon anyone can have.

“To have him there running the team, there’s no stress for me – I know everything’s going to be there every weekend and I don’t have to chase anything up myself.”

Sanders will don the number one plate when the Yamaha Australian Off-Road Championship launches this Saturday and Sunday at Toowoomba in Queensland.

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Severe whiplash was the reason behind Blake Baggett sitting out the main event in Tampa’s seventh round of 2020 Monster Energy Supercross, still on-track to return this weekend in Arlington.

The Rocky Mountain KTM WPS rider was involved in a heavy multi-bike incident during the opening lap of heat two on the night, but still managed to transfer directly with an eighth-place result.

Baggett suffered from whiplash following the incident and the severity of muscle spasms and pain in his neck led to the decision of missing the 450SX final. He has since been cleared of any bone, ligament or tendon damage.

“We here at team Rocky Mountain KTM WPS are very pleased to let everyone know that team rider Blake Baggett will 100 percent be lining up for this upcoming weekend’s race in Dallas,” a statement from the team confirmed.

“This news comes just a few days after Baggett and his team made a last-minute decision to pull out from the Tampa main event, based upon the rider’s health after very harsh crash on lap one of the heat race. Upon crashing with another rider, Baggett himself was hit hard by the bike of a third rider, resulting in a severe case of whiplash.

“He would remount and put on an absolutely amazing comeback ride, earning a transfer spot and closing within less than two seconds from the sixth-place of [Jason] Anderson. Unfortunately upon returning to the team hauler after the race, Baggett’s neck and upper back muscles began to spasm and lock up from the whiplash.

“Within a 20-minute period and roughly 15 minutes of the 450 main event gate-drop, the muscle spasms and pain had rapidly escalated to a point where Blake could not even hold his head up. After trying everything within the team and Blake’s power, the team made a final decision that it would be both impossible for him to complete the race and not worth the risk of furthering injury.”

Ahead of this Saturday’s Triple Crown in Texas, Baggett now sits 10th in the standings. He was credited a single point for qualifying and scoring 22nd position, despite not actually starting the main event.

Image: Foremost Media.

Yamaha Active8 Yamalube Racing’s Josh Green has declared himself fit for Toowoomba’s opening stop of the 2020 Yamaha Australian Off-Road Championship (AORC) after recently suffering a heavy fall while training.

The New South Welshman clashed with a gumtree last month while riding, resulting in a concussion and a number of minor injuries. It forced the number 99 to be sidelined for numerous weeks before making a return to the bike over the weekend.

Green remains vague on the injuries he’s bouncing back from, although he’s adamant he feels good going into Queensland’s double-header this Saturday and Sunday.

“I’m definitely going to line-up on the weekend,” Green confirmed to MotoOnline.com.au. “Basically I just hit a gumtree – I don’t remember the crash because I had a concussion, and I had a few injuries here and there, but I’m not going to make a comment on that. It was just a few injuries, but nothing too serious, although it was enough to put me off the bike for a few weeks.

“I got back on the bike Sunday and had a ride, so I should be good. I feel good, I’m definitely sore, but I can actually ride, so that’s a win – it’s all good.”

The long-time Yamaha contender will continue to pilot the WR450F in the E2 category this season.