Image: Supplied.

Championship contender Justin Cooper is ready to throw a leg over his Monster Energy Star Racing Yamaha and line up for the opening round of the 250SX West coast series this weekend in Orlando despite a recent foot injury.

Just over three weeks ago, Cooper announced that he’d had a practice crash during his preparation for the 2021 Monster Energy Supercross season that resulted in a broken bone in his foot. It wasn’t initially known whether or not Cooper would be able to recover in time to make the season, but he’s arrived in Orlando and appears ready to battle for the championship.

“Everything’s pretty much on track still” Cooper explained. “Obviously with the foot injury thoughts were running through my mind like ‘oh I’m not going to be able to race, I’m not going to be prepared.’ But it’s pretty lenient coming in, we’ve got a two-week break after this.”

Cooper finished his last two Supercross seasons as runner-up in the championship and while he’s coming into 2021 fresh off of injury, he’s not planning on making any excuses.

“It actually all came together way quicker than I thought it was going to my foot is feeling a lot better and I was able to get some time in on the bike. That was big for me and I was actually really comfortable the first day back.

“My fitness didn’t really lack and I’m feeling as good as I can with what I was dealt with. I don’t think I’m at a disadvantage and I definitely don’t want to make an excuse for this. I wanna go out and do my best and I think I’m at a good spot to do that with a good team.”

We’ll see how he fairs in the season opener in just under 24-hours time as the 2021 250SX West coast championship kicks off under the lights at Camping World Stadium in Orlando.