Cooper is Deegan’s teammate Cooper Webb. The two have been digging together both through the Southwick test day and at Daxton Bennick’s old North Carolina property, which has sand. Webb’s progressing, too.
“Best result so far of the season with a sixth is awesome,” said Webb. “Still struggling being sick, so that was a burner. Lungs were burning, legs were burning, heart rate through the roof. It was an absolute suffer. So proud of myself. It’s been a long time since I’ve been, even though it’s a sixth, for me, that’s a good result. I was pumped with that and made progress. Ran with Marchbanks for a few laps, which was great. So that’s all we’re trying to do is get closer to that top five. And today we took a big step. Team did a great job with a bike change and even though it’s not a podium, it’s good to get an interview finally and keep digging. And yeah, it’s nothing like suffering at Southwick. It’s a crazy feeling.”
Webb is expected to be departing Yamaha at the end of this season. He’s still doing what he can to help his current teammate and likely future rival.
“Me and Haiden always gotten along great,” says Webb. “He’s always been a training partner, but now we’re teammates and obviously he’s another level of me outdoors, but if there’s anything I can help him with, I try to. We’ve been doing a lot of testing together, trying to get him more comfortable. Obviously, I don’t have his speed, but if I can help him get a better result and the team get a better result, that’s what we’re going to try to do. Did a test here. I think it paid off and hopefully it can help him get a little better, get me better. Just trying to be a team player at this point in my career.”