Osborne Gunning for Top Five in the World After Tricky Czech GP
America’s leading representative in the FIM Motocross World Championship, Zach Osborne, finished a gruelling Grand Prix of Czech Republic at the rain-soaked and rough Loket circuit with 8th overall as he battles to completely shake-free the effects of a recent concussion. The 20 year old flighted his Bike it Cosworth Yamaha YZ250F to 11th and 8th positions in the two motos of the twelfth round of fifteen and remains just 16 points from the top five of the MX2 class standings.
Osborne was quickest in the muddy and slimy first practice session on Saturday and was buoyed by his speed even if he left the Timed Practice session frustrated to be baulked out of contention for pole position and had to settle for fourth. A set of reasonable starts on a sunny raceday and rapidly drying but one-lined course led to a pair of performances where he was unstuck by lethargy.
"I struggled today. I seemed to have about fifteen good minutes in me and then I felt like I was going through the motions. I think the track got the better of me a little bit. It was very single-line out there and that made it tough," he revealed. "I think the concussion still has a bit of an effect and I should have had myself evaluated after the fall but I guess I didn’t want to because I’m fighting for a top five slot in the world. To go from that crash to the hardest GP of the year at Lommel last week and then here, well, I don’t think I accepted totally how it would affect me."
"I’m trying to do the very best I can but I think it will take a couple of weeks to get back to full form," he continued, speaking of the lingering effects of the heavy crash at Foxhill for the fifth round of the British Championship that he currently leads. "I’m disappointed that this has happened in the last two weeks but there is not much I can do about it when we are on the road. I want everyone to know that I am doing what I can through the week and these results are definitely not through a lack of training or effort."
"I will have an appointment with a neurologist this week and try to read and do brain exercises like Sudoku – I know that might sound odd – but it was suggested by my doctor so perhaps that’s the best," he adds. "I’ll be back in the UK on Tuesday and want to get sorted before we have to go to Farleigh Castle."
Osborne will not have much time for pause with the sixth British event occurring this weekend and then a trip to Campo Grande the following week for the Grand Prix of Brazil.
For more information about Zach and to keep up with his racing and travels check out his blog: www.osborneoracle.blogspot.com
