Zach Osborne had hoped to be set for a successful Motocross title defense, after missing a chunk of Supercross with a back injury. Those hopes have now taken a fatal blow. That same back injury has now knocked Osborne out for the remainder of AMA Pro Motocross. Details below.
Injury Timeline
Osborne ended up hurting his back the week leading up to Orlando 2 Supercross. About a week later, Osborne found out he had a bulging disc in his lumbar spine. Despite some optimism of Osborne possibly returning, he ended up missing the rest of the season. Osborne however was only off the bike for around two months. Getting to his Motocross prep in early April.
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At the opening round of Motocross in Pala, California, Osborne started his title defense not as well as he likely hoped. A 13th in Moto 1 would result in Osborne finishing tenth overall on the day. This despite a fifth in the second 450 Moto. A week later at Thunder Valley, Osborne once again had a relatively poor opening moto, finishing in 12th. However, in Moto 2, Osborne ended up pulling off the track around five minutes in. Osborne’s back injury had flared up and it would end his day early. Just days away from the High Point National in Pennsylvania, Rockstar Husky has made the call to shut down Osborne for the year.
Team Press Release
On Thursday, the Rockstar Husqvarna team sent out a press release. Getting statements from Osborne, and team manager Stephen Westfall.
Osborne: “I’m bummed, to say the least. This injury has been a big setback with no clear path to 100% but I feel I’m on a good path now and I just need to give my body the time to heal itself. Myself, along with the team, made the decision to pull the plug and be ready for 2022. It was a tough decision in an already-trying year but I believe I can be back to 2020 form with this time away to heal up. Thanks to my team and fans for the support through this!”
Westfall: “Zach had a back issue during SX that put him out for some time and with a lot of rehab, he was back to 100%. Unfortunately, he re-injured it during the second practice at Thunder Valley and we decided as a team that it was best for him to sit out the rest of the MX season to be 100% ready for next year’s SX season. We know he will do the best and proper things to be there! The whole Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing Team wishes him the best.”
Final Notes
In regards to Osborne, his current contract is reportedly through the end of next season. So expect him back with Husqvarna for at least next year. Secondly, Dean Wilson now sits as the only healthy 450 rider for Rockstar Husqvarna. As Jason Anderson is weeks off breaking his hand in a practice accident (More on that here). It will be interesting to see if the team opts to bring in a fill-in rider or not. But in any case, it has not been the best start to the summer for Husqvarna. Wishing nothing but the best for Osborne in his recovery as well.
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