Round 01
/
08 Aug
Calgary, Canada
McMahon Stadium
McMahon Stadium
When World Supercross arrives in Birmingham for the British GP, fans can expect one of the biggest names in the sport to be ready for a fresh challenge. For Cooper Webb, who will line up for Rick Ware Racing, the Championship offers something different from the week-after-week of racing at the same venues year after year in the United States.
Instead, it’s an opportunity to travel the world, experience different cultures and race in front of passionate crowds who don’t get the chance to see the world’s best Supercross riders every weekend.
“I’m excited,” Webb said, as we discuss the upcoming season. “This is a whole new challenge for me. It’s a new series that I haven’t done yet and it’s a new partnership with Rick Ware Racing. We’re both North Carolina guys, we only live a couple of miles away from each other, so it’s going to be a great experience. I’m really looking forward to it.”
While the championship opens in Canada in Calgary on 8th August, it’s the return to the United Kingdom later in the season that already has Webb smiling. Webb already knows what British fans bring to race day.
His most recent visit came during the 2024 Motocross of Nations at Matterley Basin, where he represented Team USA and experienced first-hand the atmosphere created by thousands of passionate fans.
“It was cool to go over there,” he said. “We got to spend a few days in London before we raced, do some sightseeing and then head over to Matterley. The weather was a little rainy, but overall it was really good.”
We got to spend a few days in London before we raced, do some sightseeing and then head over to Matterley. The weather was a little rainy, but overall it was really good.
After spending more than a decade on a 450cc machine, Webb dropped back to the 250 class for Team USA and helped the Americans secure second place in one of motocross’ biggest international events.
“I’d been on the 450 for about 12 years and then went back to the 250, which was pretty surprising, but it was a really cool experience. The fans were crazy,” Webb said.
That experience is one of the reasons Webb is looking forward to World Supercross bringing elite racing back to Britain. While American Supercross enjoys enormous support, the global format of World Supercross creates a completely different atmosphere, with every round introducing new environments, new crowds and new challenges.
For the riders, there’s no opportunity to become comfortable. Every circuit features different dirt, different layouts and different characteristics, forcing teams to adapt quickly if they want to compete for victories. For Webb, that’s exactly what makes the championship so appealing.
“I’ve travelled a lot and raced internationally before,” he explained. “I’ve probably raced in about 10 different countries, so it’s something I’m pretty accustomed to. I enjoy embracing it, going into unfamiliar places and figuring it out. You get what you get and you’ve got to make the most of it.”
I enjoy embracing it, going into unfamiliar places and figuring it out. You get what you get and you’ve got to make the most of it.
That ability to adapt has been one of the hallmarks of Webb’s career, and he believes World Supercross presents a challenge unlike anything riders experience during a traditional domestic season.
“What makes it cool is knowing you’re going to different countries, different fans, different arenas, different dirt and different track styles,” he said. “Some venues might have a bigger floor space, some might be smaller. Every round is different.
“I think it creates a different kind of adversity. In the States we go back to a lot of the same venues and we know exactly what to expect. This is something different and I love travelling, so that’s something I’m really looking forward to.”
British fans won’t simply be watching another Supercross event. They’ll be witnessing some of the world’s biggest stars adapting in real time as they battle unfamiliar conditions in pursuit of championship points.
Adding to the excitement is Webb’s determination to add another championship to his impressive résumé. Despite everything he has already achieved, his ambitions remain unchanged.
“I obviously love Supercross and I feel like it’s where I really excel,” he said. “It’s an opportunity to go and win another championship and that’s absolutely the goal.”
Before Birmingham arrives, Webb will make another career first when the championship begins in Canada, marking the first time he has raced competitively there.
“I’ve been to Canada, but I’ve never raced there,” he said. “So I’m looking forward to that and just racing against the world in a new series.”
That international flavour is central to what makes World Supercross unique. Rather than competing in one country, the championship brings together elite riders from around the globe while giving fans across multiple continents the chance to experience world-class Supercross on their doorstep.
For British supporters, Birmingham represents the opportunity to witness one of America’s greatest Supercross riders in action without crossing the Atlantic. It’s also a chance to see how the sport’s biggest stars embrace British culture.
Webb certainly made the most of his previous visit. Asked what stood out during his stay, his answer wasn’t what many expected. “I was a big fan of fish and chips,” he laughed. “I like steak too, and you could pretty much get steak at every meal. I really enjoyed it.”
I was a big fan of fish and chips. I like steak too, and you could pretty much get steak at every meal. I really enjoyed it.
Even Britain’s famously unpredictable weather doesn’t dampen his enthusiasm. “As we know, there’s probably a chance of rain while we’re there,” he joked. “But that just adds to the elements of it.”
That attitude perfectly sums up Webb’s approach to racing. Whether it’s unfamiliar circuits, changing conditions or passionate new crowds, he embraces every challenge that comes his way.
When the gates drop in Birmingham, fans can expect exactly that mindset on display. The British Grand Prix promises world-class racing, championship drama and the rare opportunity to see one of Supercross’ biggest stars compete on British soil.
With Webb eager to reconnect with UK fans and continue his quest for another world title, the stage is set for one of the standout events of the 2026 World Supercross season.