Image: Spencer Owens / Pro Motocross.

Coming off of his first 250SX championship, Justin Cooper is headed into the 2021 Pro Motocross series confident and ‘as prepared as he can be’ as he looks to play the long game to bring home his first 250MX championship.

With three weeks between the final round of Supercross and the opening round of Pro Motocross, Cooper feels he prepared as best he could going into the 12-round, 24-moto series that’s set to begin on Saturday at Fox Raceway.

“We had a little bit more of a break this year coming in with a couple more weeks,” Cooper explained. “I was able to take a solid couple of days off and get right back into the motos outdoors.

“I didn’t really get much of a break during Supercross and before Supercross I was obviously hurt. It’s been tough getting into the motos and getting through them, but you know, we only have a limited amount of time to prepare for these things.

“I’ve done as many as I can now, and I feel like I’m as prepared as I can be. Coming off the Supercross championship I’ve obviously got some confidence, just looking to have some fun this weekend and do the best we can.”

In his first two seasons, Cooper put himself in contention early on in the championship but was unable to convert that momentum into championships.

When asked how he looks to combat that fade later in the season, he admits it’s something he’s focused on and had to overcome during his 250SX West championship this year.

“I’ve always come out super hot at the early rounds of a series and I start to dwindle off toward the end,” he continued. “I don’t know really what it is, but I’ve definitely had to figure it out this year.

“I came out at the first round of Supercross and I won that, and it was in the back of my head that I couldn’t do that again because I had to get it done this year. I put a lot of pressure on myself, so it’s just staying on top of it.

“The series is definitely long and with both series going on by the end of outdoors you’re kind of tired and over it but in order to stay with that title fight you need to tough it out and be there no matter what you’re facing.

“Something I’ve been definitely trying to work and figure it out for myself because like you guys, I see it in myself and it’s not very clear to me what’s going on either.”