Monster Energy Star Yamaha Racing’s Justin Cooper grabbed his third-consecutive second-place finish of the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Season at the mile-high stop in Lakewood, Colorado, on Saturday, June 1. The opening moto at Thunder Valley MX Park started dry, but eventually was red-flagged for lightning in the area. Cooper took the win in the shortened Moto 1, but settled for second in Moto 2 and collected the runner-up spot at Round 3. Teammates Dylan Ferrandis and Colt Nichols were also in the mix, finishing fourth and sixth overall, respectively, with rookie Ty Masterpool crossing the line in 13th. The team has been able to put the power to the ground at the start and has now earned five out of the six holeshots this season.

It was a familiar start to Moto 1 with several Monster Energy Star Yamaha Racing riders rounding the first turn at the front. Cooper started fourth, quickly got by his teammate Masterpool and worked his way to the front by lap four. It was a good thing he held onto the lead in the opening moto because unexpected rain started falling, soon followed by lightning, which caused a red flag. With the moto far enough along, the checkered flag also came out, and the 21yr old was declared the winner. The second moto put Cooper out front from the start but he went off the track and fell back to third. The New Yorker quickly gained a position back to second a lap later, where he would eventually finish to score second overall.

In Moto 1, Ferrandis got off to a decent start, and came around the first lap in sixth. Once the rain started falling, he picked off riders and finished the shortened race in third. In Moto 2, the Frenchman once again showed his determination after starting 10th, having to push forward on a physical track. He got into seventh on lap 10 and held on to narrowly finish just off the podium in fourth overall.

It was another solid weekend for Nichols, but not the results he knows he’s capable of producing. The opening moto had the Oklahoman coming through the pack after starting outside the top 10. He had some issues, but was able to finish 13th when the red flag came out to end the race. Setting his sights on a better result in Moto 2, Nichols got a fourth-place start and maintained it through the entire race to score a 13-4 for sixth overall.

Masterpool helped continu the team’s holeshot dominance under the power of his Yamaha YZ250F, earning the first Moto 1 holeshot of his professional career. The rookie used the good start to his advantage and held off pressure for a majority of the race to finish a career-best sixth. In Moto 2, he got a decent start, but a mishap lost him several positions, and he ultimately had to settle for 16th. His 6-16 scored him 13th overall, his best result to date.

The Monster Energy Star Yamaha Racing team get a weekend off before regrouping for Round 4 of the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship at High Point Raceway in Mt. Morris, Pennsylvania on Saturday, June 15.

Wil Hahn

Monster Energy Star Yamaha Racing Team Manager

“Today was another solid weekend for us. We capitalized with great starts all day from multiple riders and it showed with the results. We will continue to keep working and look forward to coming back at High Point ready to battle again.”

Justin Cooper

Monster Energy Star Yamaha Racing

“I have been feeling really good. It was another good win in Moto 1 even though it was cut short. In Moto 2, I came out of the rut and it threw my feet off the bike and I couldn’t get them back on and had to lay it over. I felt strong and was pushing until the end. I did my best today for all that was in my control. The bike and the team were awesome all day and it showed! I feel I definitely proved a lot today and look forward to bringing the heat at the next one.”

Dylan Ferrandis

Monster Energy Star Yamaha Racing

“The conditions were good and the track was actually good, too. We had a little storm during Moto 1 so we had red flag and had to stop before the end. I managed to finish third, but Moto 2 wasn’t good for me. I had a bad start then crashed in the corner before the finish line and lost lots of positions today. We will work again to get ready for High Point in two weeks.”

Colt Nichols

Monster Energy Star Yamaha Racing

“The conditions varied a lot throughout the day from practice to the downpour in the first moto, and then the second moto had a ton of ruts that were a little stickier from the rain. The first moto was tough because I didn’t get a great start. I had to make a goggle swap and in the second moto I didn’t really have the pace midway through, but I was able to manage a fourth. We will keep working. I’m looking forward to the next one.”

Ty Masterpool

Monster Energy Star Yamaha Racing

“It was a great learning day with a ton of experience gained. I got the holeshot in the first moto and rode smart but ended up sixth. In the second moto I got a top-five start and rode pretty well but then I collided with a rider so I lost around five spots and tweaked my shoulder pretty good. I ended up 13th overall. I’m enjoying the learning process and look to keep moving forward.”

2019 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship 250 Class Thunder Valley MX Park Results

1. Adam Cianciarulo (2-1)

2. Justin Cooper (1-2)

3. Michael Mosiman (4-3)

4. Dylan Ferrandis (3-5)

5. Chase Sexton(7-6)

6. Colt Nichols (13-4)

7. RJ Hampshire (5-11)

8. Hunter Lawrence (10-7)

9. Shane McElrath (8-10)

10. Jordan Smith (11-8)

13. Ty Masterpool (6-16)

2019 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship 250 Class Standings

1. Adam Cianciarulo 139

2. Justin Cooper 133

3. Dylan Ferrandis 106

4. Colt Nichols 94

5. Chase Sexton 94

6. Michael Mosiman 85

7. RJ Hampshire 77

8. Alex Martin 69

9. Hunter Lawrence 66

10. Garrett Marchbanks 63

12. Ty Masterpool 49

Author

Dan Lamb is a 12+ year journalist and the owner of MotoXAddicts.