Second overall at Southwick brought Justin Cooper back into the 250MX title frame, but post-race the Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing rider said he felt like he gave away the overall with crashes in both motos.

Cooper qualified second fastest at The Wick 338 and shot to the early advantage in moto one, holding P1 until a tip-over after the halfway point saw him relinquish the lead to overall winner Tom Vialle (Red Bull KTM).

In the second moto, the number 32 worked his way forward to P2 by lap 10, but another fall in the closing stages ruled him out of a charge to victory, concluding the day with a 2-2 scorecard.

“I kind of avoided this place to be honest, I rode here on 50s and 65s, one time I raced here and the next time I raced here was my first pro national here,” said Cooper of his past Southwick experience.

“It’s very close to home, it’s like two and a half to three hours, so it is kind of the closest one to me, but never really got the chance to come up here on a regular basis.

“Overall on the day, I feel like I gave it away to be honest, but it was a really good day for me, my riding was good and man just close to that win, but I couldn’t get it done today.”

Entering Southwick 48 points from the red plate, Cooper is back in the 250MX title hunt after he cut the deficit down to 22 at round six while Hunter Lawrence (Team Honda HRC) suffered a mechanical DNF in moto one and new red plate-holder Haiden Deegan (Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing) went 4-10.

“I kind of realized the situation going into moto two that those guys are having a tough day,” added Cooper. “I came in 48 points down and now I am 22. I cut it more than in half, so it’s just crazy to see what can happen in one round, and crazy how this sport is.

“It’s unfortunate that I missed that one round, but that’s what we are dealt with. Hunter’s having a tough time too, so got to make the most of every moto and take this thing down to the wire.”

Round seven of the 2023 Pro Motocross Championship takes place this Saturday, with Cooper entering Spring Creek fourth in the 250MX standings.