Cooper Webb blast to lapper jeremy hand over collision with Ken Roczen’s crash with the Lappers at Tampa Supercross

The 2023 Tampa Supercross was packed with intense battles, but one of the biggest talking points came from a chaotic moment involving lapped riders. The incident unfolded when Ken Roczen, who was battling for the lead, collided with lappers, ultimately derailing his race. Cooper Webb, who was in the mix for a podium finish, didn’t hold back in his post-race comments, particularly calling out Jeremy Hand for his role in the chaos.

Roczen had been riding strong, showcasing the speed and confidence that fans love to see from the German rider. However, as he approached the slower traffic, things took a dramatic turn. The tight nature of the track and the unpredictable movement of the lapped riders led to an unavoidable collision, sending Roczen to the ground. The crash cost him valuable positions and may have even affected his championship hopes.

Webb, always a fierce competitor and never one to shy away from voicing his opinion, was frustrated with the lapped riders’ interference in the race. Jeremy Hand, in particular, came under scrutiny for not getting out of the way quickly enough. Webb made it clear that he believed the lappers needed to be more aware and do a better job of yielding to the leaders.

“Man, it’s just frustrating when you’re battling up front, and then you get guys that don’t move out of the way,” Webb said in a post-race interview. “Jeremy Hand was just in the wrong spot at the wrong time, but still, it messed up the race.”

Lappers have always been a challenge in Supercross, especially on tighter tracks where passing opportunities are limited. While they are fighting their own battles, their positioning can greatly affect the frontrunners. Webb’s frustration highlights an ongoing debate in the sport—should lapped riders be more aggressively penalized for not moving over fast enough?

Despite the setback, Roczen showed resilience, while Webb managed to salvage a solid finish. However, the Tampa Supercross will be remembered as another instance where lapped traffic played a major role in the outcome of the race.