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ZACH OSBORNE
250 SX / MN.
IMAGE /MPG WORDS / KILPATRICK DESIGN / WILSON
>> Zach Osborne will be lining up on the gate for the 2017 Monster Energy Supercross season as one of the most experienced riders in the entire field, let alone the 250 class. The Virginian has been on the American professional scene since 2006 -- at that time he was considered one of the most highly touted amateurs making the move to the professional ranks. He took a four year hiatus to compete in the MXGP series on
the world stage and although he wasn’t wildly successful, he won a couple of GPs and always had speed to battle at the front of the pack. Osborne has been back on home soil for four full seasons now and has contin- ued to show that speed indoors and out, finally grabbing his first career overall in the penultimate round of the 2016 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross series at Budds Creek. He made a big change in his program throughout the offseason, switching his training up and moving to the renowned Baker’s Factory alongside multiple champi- onship proven riders. Osborne finally saw the top step of the podium last year outdoors, but he’s still yet to do so on the indoor circuit. The Rockstar Husqvarna rider looked as though he was riding to win in practice as he attacked the track with a ferocity that very few riders showed, getting up to speed with relative quickness, and eventually propelling him to the fastest qualifying time on the day. Osborne didn’t get out to the best start on his Rockstar backed Husqvarna machine in the second heat race as he was forced to make some hard moves on the opening lap. The Virginia native found himself in sixth place as the first flying lap commenced, smack dab in the middle of the good friends of Jordon Smith and R.J. Hampshire. He was able to capitalize on a mistake by the TLD Red Bull KTM rider just after putting a move on Dakota Alix in the whoops section, promoting himself to fourth position by the midway point of the race. Osborne spent the next couple laps charging hard as he chased down Jesse Wentland in a flash, slotting into third position with relative ease. He continued to keep his head down and ride with the same sort of aggression that he had showed throughout the entire day, tracking down second placed Luke Renzland in the final breath of the race to snag second at the checkered flag. Osborne put himself at a disadvantage out of the gate in the main event as he didn’t get the best jump off of the line. He found himself in a flashback to the second 250 heat race as he was pitted in a battle with Geico Honda’s R.J. Hampshire on the opening laps as the two of them attempted to track down Anthony Rodriguez in third position. The pair of them made the move on the third lap, promoting themselves into a battle for the final spot on the podium, but Osborne had other ideas in mind. A couple of laps later, he forced his way past the Geico Honda and began to turn on the afterburners. The Rockstar Husqvarna rider began putting together an ultra fast line in the double dragon back rhythm section that allowed him to gain just enough on those ahead of him. By the midway point of the race, he closed in on the battle for the lead and made the pass on Jordon Smith for second with timeliness and efficiency, attempting to keep Savatgy in sight. Osborne was poised to create a battle for the lead and put all of the Minnesota fans on their feet, but he accidentally hit neutral in the sand section and suffered a small tip over, therefore allowing Smith back into second. The Virginian attempted to run him back down, but ultimately ran out of time and was forced to settle for third position on the night. Although Osborne managed a podium, he was disappointed with his mistakes and will head into Atlanta knowing that he has the speed to snag his first ever SX victory.
36 GRITMOTO • FEBRUARY 19, 2017