The official factory Yamaha 450 team of Chad Reed and Cooper Webb are ready for the Anaheim Supercross season opener on their works YZFs, in the long-winded Monster Energy / Yamalube / Chaparral / Yamaha Financial Services / Yamaha Factory Racing Team.

Aussie Reed, the former champ, said: I’m stoked to be racing for the Yamaha Factory team again this year. In 2016, we learned the bike and found our strengths and weaknesses. For 2017, the team and I are motivated to continue building. Also, Cooper brings a new level of energy to the team. Youth has that natural way of upping the enthusiasm! I like that energy, and it’s great having him as my team-mate.”

Webb, the 250 Supercross West champ who is moving up this season, said: “I’m so excited to be riding for Yamaha Factory Racing this year. It’s a dream come true for me, especially to be able to stay with the brand where I started my professional career. Also, it’s great to be a team-mate of Chad’s. Growing up, he was always my favourite rider. To be team-mates with a legend is awesome.”

Yamaha team boss Keith McCarty said: “Last year, we re-introduced our Yamaha Factory Racing Supercross team, with Chad Reed as our rider. He did an excellent job for us, both on the track and with the fans. He helped re-energize our Factory program, and it was great to see how much all the fans enjoyed seeing him race once again for Yamaha. We’re thrilled to have Chad back with us again for the 2017 season, and we’re also pleased to have Cooper Webb on our Factory Racing team this year, too.”