ZACH OSBORNE
P124
INTERVIEW
said. "That was even again a step
back to look at things. Before that
time, the championship seemed
so, so important and then that
happened and it was like, it really
doesn't matter that much. It's dirt
bike racing. It's a small portion of
hopefully a long life. I just kind of
see it all a little bit differently than
everyone else, I guess. I'm not
bummed about how I see things,
to be honest. I like the way that I
see things and the way that I do
things. It's a little bit unorthodox
or different, but also my career
and path and approach have
always been that way. It's just
what works for me and I'm going
to continue to do it."
WHERE TO FROM HERE
In 2018, Osborne is going to
carry what works for him through
a title defense in the 250SX East
Series, and then the finale in Las
Vegas will mark his final race in
the 250cc class.
"I'm going to do 250 Super-
cross and defend my East Coast
championship and then the plan
right now is to ride the 450 out-
doors," Osborne said.
Osborne has raced a 450 be-
fore, as part of Team Puerto Rico
at the 2008 Motocross of Nations
in England. He was good even
back then, finishing second in
the Open-class qualifier and sixth
place in the second MX2/Open
moto. Michael Byrne and Timmy
Ferry were eighth and ninth in that
moto. Osborne can ride a 450,
and he proved it a decade ago.
"It's just the opportunity,"
Osborne said. "As you saw with
Marty [Martin Davalos] this year,
he did really well outdoors; got a
couple podiums and was a top-
five-or-six guy, and there were
no 450 opportunities for him [in
2018]. It's not easy to get those
rides. I'm grateful to have the op-
portunity for this year and into '19
with Husqvarna to do 450s."
If he keeps this up, if he doesn't
win 450cc titles right away, don't
worry; give him 12 years or so.
He'll win titles by 2030. CN
To be a true
champion, you
have to weather
days like these.
And that's exactly
what Osborne did.
