Image: Octopi Media.

Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Justin Cooper will reset for the 2027 season after opting out of the upcoming Monster Energy SMX World Championship post-season.

Cooper hasn’t had enough time to prepare on board his factory YZ450F for the playoffs, with that lack of seat time ruling him out of the month of September.

“It’s disappointing to miss the SMX playoffs,” Cooper said. “My goal was to be back on the gate in Ohio, but unfortunately I just don’t have enough preparation on the bike to go racing at the level I know I’m capable of. I’m going to focus on getting back to full fitness so that I can come back fighting at the front in 2027.”

Incoming Star Racing 450 team manager Wil Hahn – who recently transferred from the 250 team in place Rich Simmons – agreed that the ideal move at this point is to focus on next season following a lengthy stint on the sidelines.

“We were hoping to have Justin back for the playoffs, but without having much time on the bike, the best decision was to focus on the 2027 season and have him back fighting up front,” commented Hahn.

After finishing fifth in the 450SX category of Monster Energy Supercross 2026, Cooper suffered a concussion at Hangtown in round two of Pro Motocross. He briefly returned for his home round at Unadilla to finish P9, but has been sidelined again since due to an undisclosed illness.