Image: Octopi Media.

A thumb sprain has ruled Cooper Webb out of the Budds Creek national this weekend, indicating that he will now focus on the upcoming SuperMotocross World Championship (SMX) series.

Webb made his first Pro Motocross appearance of the 2024 season at Unadilla, qualifying in 10th position and then finishing P8 in the opening encounter.

After a string start in moto two saw him run as high as second, the Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing rider crashed after halfway and damaged him thumb, but has since been cleared of any major injury. That DNF placed him 15th overall for the weekend.

“Sitting out this weekend is not the news I wanted to share, but very thankful that the scans all came back good and just show a sprain of my thumb,” Webb revealed. “Despite the ass kicking, thumb, and gnarly track conditions, I genuinely had a damn good time being back with my team and people at Unadilla. Going to play it smart, rest it a few days and focus on SMX and beyond.”

Webb underwent surgery on ligament damage to his thumb directly following the Monster Energy Supercross Championship, managing to return for what was expected to be the final three outdoor rounds. He’s now not expected to be back again until zMAX Dragway at Charlotte Motor Speedway’s SMX opener on September 7.

While Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing will be without Webb this weekend, teammate Eli Tomac will make his anticipated return to competition at the Budds Creek national leading into the final two rounds.