Cooper Webb, who was racing against Monster Energy Supercross points leader Eli Tomac in the Nashville round at Nissan Stadium, wrecked on the first lap of Heat 1 and suffered an injury that forced him to be transferred to a local hospital for additional treatment.
Webb revealed on Twitter on Sunday morning that he will not be able to compete in the 2023 Supercross season.
“As many of you saw, I suffered a concussion last night in Nashville,” Webb wrote. “I am thankful that everything else has checked out okay. This will unfortunately put an end to my SX season. It hurts to have it end like this, but I can hold my head high knowing I gave it my all.”
Webb was struck by Adam Cianciarulo, whose Kawasaki went over Webb’s helmet with severe impact at high speed after losing grip with his front tyre. Webb was sitting up on the Alpinestars medical cart as they entered the tunnel. He hugged his KTM teammates and father before being lifted onto a stretcher and sent to the hospital in an ambulance.
As many of you saw, I suffered a concussion last night in Nashville. I am thankful that everything else has checked out okay. This will unfortunately put an end to my SX season. It hurts to have it end like this, but I can hold my head high knowing I gave it my all. pic.twitter.com/UCSbHFofcn
— Cooper Webb (@cooperwebb_2) April 30, 2023
“We were riding each other pretty aggressively there in Turn 2 and Turn 3,” Tomac told NBC Sports’ Will Christien after winning the heat. “In Turn 2, Cooper came up the inside, and I tried to do the similar thing. We didn’t make contact, but then he washed his front end out, and I happened to be looking back to see if he did fully hit the ground, and I believe Adam clipped him. Obviously, that is unfortunate. It changes a lot of things for us.”
Webb started the competition 11 points behind Tomac, but with three rounds remaining, he had a good chance to bridge the deficit. While Tomac won seven races, Webb finished second with consistency, earning nine podiums in the first 14 rounds.
His string of 14 straight top-five finishes to begin the 2023 season came to an end when he missed the main event in Nashville, thereby ending his chances of capturing a third title. Webb is now third in the rankings, behind by 34 points.
Drama off the start of 450 heat 1 ????#SupercrossLIVE #SuperMotocross pic.twitter.com/46gETY8TJ2
— Supercross LIVE! (@SupercrossLIVE) April 29, 2023
Webb was clearly in pain, despite the fact that he was conscious and standing quickly after the incident.
Webb, who won the Supercross title in 2019 and 2021, has not disclosed the nature of his injuries.
“The team’s first concern is always for the rider,” said team manager Ian Harrison of Webb. We’re hopeful everything works out, but after watching the collision and Cooper being taken to the hospital, we’re devastated as a team.”
Webb’s crash was one of several on a difficult circuit at Nissan Stadium for elite 450 racers on Saturday. On Saturday, Jason Anderson and Justin Barcia both experienced big falls.
Thanks, Adam ????????. Not your fault. It’s racing and shit happens! https://t.co/DjGZMR7dhB
— Cooper Webb (@cooperwebb_2) April 30, 2023
