Mixed fortunes for Osborne

The 2009 season opened for the Utag Yamaha.com team at the long established sand Kent circuit. With the weather holding off for the early part of the morning it was only deep ruts that the riders had to contend with for qualification.
Zach made a good start to his MX assault with pole position. Zach started the session in second place and then 15 minutes into the session he put in a couple of quick laps to secure pole.

Race 1

Zach got of to a good start in third with leader Anderson and Mackenzie ahead. Zach soon found away past Billy and started to close in on Anderson, a little mistake allowed Billy back past ant the three riders pulled a good distance from the rest of the pack. With the race going smoothly Zach was content to sit within 10 metres of the battling two rivals, having posted the fasted time of the race Zach knew he had pace and energy in reserve.
Well as always in motocross things do not go to plan, Zach was coming fast into a corner and just clipped the chestnut fencing which ripped his bars one way and then the other resulting in be thrown though the fencing.
With the bike completely twisted and Zach in the fencing it took a long while to get the bike in some shape to continue, he continued the race but a lap down.

Race 2

Determined to take a win in the second race Zach changed his start position as the heavens had opened up with a heavy shower and sleet, moving more in the middle of the track Zach made an ok start but Billy went down on the first corner and Zach hit him, luckily Zach didn't go down but got away in 15th. A small crash on the first lap as a slower rider got stuck in the same deep rut that Zach entered caused Zach to loose a few more places and as a result he was behind Billy, the two of them came through the pack well and Zach was right on Billy with two laps to go when he lost drive and he had no adjustment in the clutch, that was his race finished right in front of me. With the extreme conditions having taken its toll on the clutch all Zach could do was push the bike to the side, some riders use the clutch more than others in these conditions. Despite having a new clutch fitted for the race unfortunately there was no more the mechanics could have done.

Currently Mel Pocock our MX2 rider has been side lined with a broken wrist but should be ready next week and he will ride the next round on 22nd March at Langrish near Petersfield Hants.

Lewis Tombs rode well in the second MX2 ride to a15th place even though an 11th place was on the cards until he crashed into some back barkers which lost him four places.

The team will continue its preparation with a trip to Italy this weekend for the Italian championship in preparation for Zach's World MX2 challenge. The team will pick up parts from Rinaldi and spend a bit of time at their factory headquarters before retuning to England.

Results MX1