Viral Bug Hits Elite Athletes

Get Up, Get Down with the Sickness | Anderson, Webb, Hunter Lawrence and More Ill at San Diego

by Slaw DogJanuary 22, 2025, 6:00 am

It happens every year. Whether it’s due to coming off a grueling boot camp or going from isolation at the test tracks to suddenly being surrounded by thousands of people—from airports to autograph signings—sickness overtakes the Monster Energy AMA Supercross pits.

Some riders (THANK YOU TO THOSE SELECT FEW) talk about it. Others don’t. Well, San Diego brought the demons out.

Monster Energy/Star Racing Yamaha’s Cooper Webb had them coming out of both ends apparently, as he noted on Instagram following a third-place finish. “Battled some demons spraying out of both ends for the night show, but overall a solid night and it was nice to lead some laps again. The boys were pushing the pace up front.”

He wasn’t the only one.

Following a third-place finish at the season opener, Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Jason Anderson struggled to a 13th in San Diego. After the race, the team press release cited that JA was dealing with an illness.

“My day was not the greatest, but I ended up qualifying sixth, which was pretty average. I finished third in my heat race, which was better than I expected since I am under the weather. I did not have a great start and then had some other issues in the main event. I’ve been sick this week and it got to me by the end of the night. My energy was fading and it showed the last couple laps of the main. I am happy to have made it out healthy and I’m looking forward to being healthier for next weekend.”

It wasn’t just Anderson or Webb either. Honda HRC Progressive’s Hunter Lawrence spoke about also dealing with an illness after a fifth-place finish.

“I had been struggling with my throat a bit during the week, and I thought it was more from the ashes and stuff from the fires [in Southern California]. I thought I was coming good, and then Friday night, it just got so bad. It was a really tough day. I’m feeling pretty sick and I have no energy, so I’m pretty happy to come out fifth. I did what I needed to do to make my night a little easier. It was a tough day at the office, but I’m just looking to get back to 100% as soon as I can.”

Apparently, Dylan Ferrandis, who finished ninth, was also sick. And those are just the ones we know about.