IN
THE
WIND
P34
SOUTH AFRICA OFF, QATAR ON
T
he FIM and Dorna officially
announced the cancellation
of the South African round of this
year's World Superbike Champi-
onship that was originally sched-
uled for October 19. In the same
release, the FIM confirmed that
the season will end in Qatar on
November 2 with a race under
the lights at the Losail Interna-
tional Circuit.
Qatar was a part of the se-
ries from 2005 to 2009, but
this year's round will mark the
first time that the race – like Mo-
toGP – will take place under the
lights.
Doha will also play host to the
awards banquet for both World
Superbike and World Supersport
on the Monday after the race.
As for South Africa, the track
didn't meet homologation in
time. Dorna and the FIM are
looking into the possibility of re-
placing the event, according to
the FIM.
The World Superbike Series won't be heading to South Africa in October after all.
PHOTOGRAPHY
BY
GOLD
&
GOOSE
OSBORNE READY FOR ISDE
F
or the second time in his ca-
reer, GEICO Honda 250 rider
Zach Osborne will be heading to
San Juan, Argentina, in Novem-
ber as one of six riders on the
U.S. World Trophy Team. Mean-
while, Osborne will make his re-
turn to racing this coming week-
end at Unadilla.
"It's an honor to be chosen a
second time to compete in this
event," Osborne said. "I think
this year will be even better for
me because last year was my
rookie year. I feel like I was a little
bit green to the event and ev-
erything around me. Hopefully,
this year I will be more prepared
knowledge-wise for what to ex-
pect. I'm really looking forward
to having this opportunity again."
Even though this is only his
second year for the ISDE, Os-
borne has an abundant amount
of professional riding experience
internationally. Before returning
to the U.S. full-time, Osborne
competed in Europe for five
years trying to capture an MX2
World Championship.
"I think my past international
riding experience will work to my
benefit," Osborne said. "I've been
fortunate to experience many dif-
ferent cultures throughout my ca-
reer. That, paired with my adapt-
ability, should really help me. This
year the event is being held in
South America. I've actually been
there a few times already, and I
definitely think that gives me a
little bit of an advantage."
continued on page 36
