Page 32 - Issue-46

ZACH OSBORNE
250 SX / 1ST
IMAGE / LANG WORDS / HARNISHFEGER DESIGN / WILSON
>> We last saw Zach Osborne and the rest of the 250 East Coast series riders nearly a month ago in St. Louis. Osborne entered that break with a pair of disappointing results after winning three of
the previous four races. The eighteenth and the third he suffered at those last two rounds before the break sent him from the points lead to sitting twelve points outside of it. He put in the work during
the few weeks off to come back stronger and faster than before to try and make one last rally for the championship at the final two rounds. His first stop would be in the Meadowlands at MetLife Stadium. Osborne looked like a force to be reckoned with as soon as the bikes hit the track on Saturday morn- ing. He was dominating the tight, technical track en route to blazing the fastest lap time of the qualify- ing sessions signifying he was more than ready to do battle on national television.
Osborne went right to work at the start of his heat race as he rocketed out of the gate and into the early lead. He would go on to pull away, leading every lap with ease. He looked to be riding with an extra amount of aggression than the rest of the field; Like what we have been seeing out of Eli Tomac in the 450 class these past few weeks. He was certainly a favorite to take the win heading into the main event.
The gate dropped in the main and it saw Osborne fail to notch another great start. He ended up start- ing around mid-pack but managed to climb to seventh at the end of the opening lap. From there he would find another gear and mount a serious charge knowing he needed to make up as many points as possible. He picked off a handful of riders to get up to fourth just three laps in before making the pass on Dylan Ferrandis to secure third on lap four. He was the only one on the track that appeared to not be struggling with the rough and technical conditions. He kept his train of momentum going as he caught and passed Cianciarulo for second just a few laps later. He then set his sights on race and points leader Joey Savatgy. Keeping up with his trend of making quick passes, Osborne caught and passed his championship rival with ease in just two laps. He would then check out and cruise to a very deserving main event win. He did what he had to do to give himself the best chance at the title next weekend in Las Vegas. His night got even better when he found out Savatgy got docked five positions for cutting the track late in the race which puts he and the Monster Energy Kawasaki rider in a tie for second in points just ONE point behind new leader Jordon Smith. Fireworks will be flying next weekend in Las Vegas.
32 GRITMOTO • APRIL 30, 2017