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Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing has finally made the return of Cooper Webb official, just hours out from his debut in the opening SuperMotocross World Championship (SMX) playoff event in Charlotte.

Webb won a pair of 250SX West titles between 2015-2016 in addition to the 2016 250MX crown with Star Racing, prior to stepping up to the 450 class with Yamaha’s in-house factory program for two seasons.

Mixed results saw the now 27-year-old transfer to KTM in 2019, where he would clinch the Monster Energy Supercross crown on debut and then back that up with the 2021 450SX championship. Webb and KTM split in July, opening up a return to Star Racing and Yamaha.

“I’m super-excited to be racing for the Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing team again,” commented Webb. “It feels like a family reunion. It’s all the people that I started my career with and I can’t wait to go racing with them again.

“Racing in Charlotte for me is a dream come true. It’s my home race. The last time we raced there, I had probably my best race ever. I’m really looking forward to getting back to the gate with this team and this bike and starting off my new chapter well.”

Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing 450 team manager Jeremy Coker welcomed Webb to the team: “Reuniting with Cooper Webb signals not just a homecoming, but also a bright horizon for the team. We’re all pretty excited to get going and to see the legacy he will build in this new chapter with his home team.”

Yamaha Racing department manager Jim Roach added: “We’re really excited for the upcoming 2024 season with a strong three-rider line-up to continue to pave the way for success in the premier class. Cooper is a proven title contender and is hungrier than ever. Together, we enjoyed a lot of success in the 250 class and are looking forward to having him back and seeing what we can do with the all-new YZ450F.”

Webb will be onboard the factory-backed YZ450F in the SMX Finals series beginning at ZMax Dragway alongside Dylan Ferrandis, however, from 2024 it will be Webb, Eli Tomac and Justin Cooper who make up Yamaha’s expanded three-rider premier class roster.