Racing

Zach Osborne's Day At Muddy Creek Motocross | MX 2016

Zach Osborne went 3-10 for 6th overall at round 5.

July 1, 2016

Zach Osborne came into Muddy Creek with a lot of momentum after scoring his first Moto win at High Point last week. The Abingdon, VA native stayed back east this week to take some time to visit with family and friends and to take the opportunity to do a couple 20 minute motos during press day on Thursday. Zach grew up racing at Muddy Creek from the 50cc, he was a standout top amateur on the big bikes. The Abington VA native lived 20 minutes from the Muddy Creek track and had many friends and family at the race this weekend.Photo by Rob Koy

For the first timed practice, the 250 class went after the 450s and the track got pretty rutted up by the time Zach got on the track. Zach was able to turn a 2:04.972 on his second lap for his fast time in practice one giving him they 11th position.Photo by Rob Koy

In the second timed practice Zach was able to break the two minute mark by recording a 1:59.813 for his fast time giving him the third gate pick going into Moto 1. Zach would hug all the way to the right in this section to set himself up for the right hand corner at the end of the mechanics straight. The middle to the outside formed some tricky deep ruts that played havoc on many riders as the day went on.Photo by Rob Koy

Zach scrubbed the uphill bomber triple in practice verses going for the massive jump. Maybe the Lit Pro device on his helmet told the Husqvarna team that it was faster to do so.Photo by Rob Koy

Zach was taking in a pre-Moto energy bar snack before the start of the first Moto. With the third gate pick, Zach choose one of the inside gates and got pinched off in the first turn and came out with a 10th place start.Photo by Rob Koy

Zach was in 10th place after lap 1 and started to make his way through the pack by taking some unconventional lines. By the halfway point, Zach was able to make many passes using different lines then the other riders. Here, Zach uses a more traditional line coming back up the start straight to protect his position.Photo by Rob Koy

Zach took this outside line every lap to avoid the deep ruts on the inside of this turn before the uphill rollers. About 90% of the riders were taking the inside rut compared to Zach, who was keeping up momentum going into the rollers. By the 3/4 mark of the race, Zach got into 3rd place after passing Jordon Smith. He finished the race in third and secured podium spot in moto one.Photo by Rob Koy

Zach getting a little sideways coming down the mechanic’s straight in Moto 2. Zach used this smoother line all day to avoid the deep ruts and braking bumps. In Moto 2, Zach got caught up in a first turn crash and was way back in the pack. He was able to charge through the pack to get in a top 15 place by the halfway point.Photo by Rob Koy

Zach was taking a different line through the tree turn in Moto 2. Zach was squaring off the turn just about every lap instead of the more traditional inside or outside lines the other riders were using.Photo by Rob Koy

Zach takes the inside rut to keep to the inside before going up the start straight into the first turn. Many riders were using the outside rut but it kind of went too far outside through the turn.Photo by Rob Koy

Zach stayed out of the deep ruts in this corner by taking the far inside rut. Zach Osborne went 3-10 for 6th overall at Muddy Creek. If it wasn’t for his first turn crash in Moto 2, Zach might have been able to secure a spot on the podium last week. Zach was charging hard through the field and tipped over twice and still he was able to finish in 10th place. Zach said that the second moto was pretty frustrating, he went down off the start then crashed two more times. A 10th place finish was a really good ride, though it doesn’t really show on paper. Zach said he’s looking forward to RedBud this weekend as it’s a track he likes and feels that he excels at.Photo by Rob Koy