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ZACH OSBORNE
250 SX / 1ST
IMAGE / KILPATRICK WORDS / MATTINGLY DESIGN / MOTOPLAYGROUND
>> With the crowds of AMA Monster Energy Supercross staring into the bright lights
of center stage, a new wave of gladiators are awaiting backstage. The rst platoon of competitors have come and gone, doing their six-week tour under grueling circumstances. It’s now time for a new ensemble to display their talents, looking to captivate the audi- ence as soon as they hit the stadium oor. Zach Osborne had members of both industry and media, talking about his impressive performances through numerous days of testing, throughout the off-season. In Vegas betting odds, to many in the “know”, he seemed to be favored, but many fans at home would have their doubts. But if practice were any indica- tion, all questions would be answered, as he was slamming this course with emperor-like authority. Blitzing the dragon’s back with pure, raw aggression, it was as though he seem- ingly didn’t care wear where the rear end of the motorcycle went; he knew how the front of the machine sat, and clearly, that was all that mattered. He soared to a scorching practice time, and would go on to carry lucrative momentum into the heat race. As the eld would ght through the tight chicane of start straight, it was imminent he get to the front of the eld. Blitzing through these opposing whoop sections, he toyed with the following con- guration of both, triple double, and double triple. Skating into the following left, he would slingshot his way to the front of the eld, with Jordon Smith just behind. Never one to bat an eye at his surroundings, he would remain headstrong, claiming second. It was now time for the gate to fall, and as it would clash into this hard-packed, Texas soil, he would storm out with feverish intent. Clicking through the gear box, both third and fourth gear would be tapped into, yet the engine braking of the machine would settle the frame down as he hugged the following right hander. With the eld nipping at his heels over the rst SX triple, he relished in the bright lights of all, as he focused forward. Clicking off lap after lap, there were few, if any, squeamish antics out of this composed competitor; besides his tipover in the right-hander prior to the whoop section. Hopping on to the table-top follow- ing the dragon’s back, there was no question into how well he was feeling as the laps continued to taper. He would then hound RJ Hampshire out front, until he would eventually make a mistake; and take over the lead. His circuit times would be as consistent as ever, and although Colt Nichols could be seen out of his peripheral vision at times, there wasn’t an ounce of fear running through his body. The checkered ag would near, and he would begin to ll with excitement. Revving his bike to the moon, he’d done it; victory was his!
28 GRITMOTO • FEBRUARY 18, 2018