With Anaheim 1 Supercross just a little over a month out, a major retirement has just hit the AMA paddock. 2020 AMA Motocross 450 National Champion, and two-time 250 Regional Supercross Champion Zach Osborne has called it a career. Although it seemed like Osborne was good to go for what would have been year 17 as a pro, it was not meant to be. Dealing with a back injury that knocked him out of the AMA Motocross season, Osborne felt like he did not have the ability to compete at the level he wanted to.
Be sure to catch up on all of our Supercross and Motocross coverage.
Osborne’s Farewell
Osborne gave a pair of farewells earlier today via Rockstar Energy Husqvarna PR and Instagram. They both read as such.
“After 16 years of professional racing, the time has come for me to call it a career. I’ve tried everything in my power over the last six months to get my health back up to the standard it needs to be to race at the highest level and after just a few weeks of riding supercross at full intensity, I realized it just wasn’t meant to be. I’m so grateful for the journey I’ve had as a professional. I’ve met so many incredible people and been a part of some of the finest organizations in motorsports.
This was not an easy decision, or one I took lightly, but it was the right decision. I’m forever grateful to my family, fans and teams for their support throughout my time as a professional. In the next chapter, I want to focus my time more on giving back to those who have given to me.” – Zach Osborne
https://www.instagram.com/tv/CWleV5rFAds/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
For context on Osborne’s back injury, it initially popped up in the gap between Orlando 1 and 2 Supercross. He then ran Orlando 2, but then pulled out for the rest of the indoor tilt. After returning to defend his AMA Motocross title, Osborne only made it three Motos deep into the season. A DNF at Thunder Valley will sadly be the final result in what was a fantastic career for Osborne.
See You Down the Road
With Osborne’s retirement, Dean Wilson is the last member of the three-man band Rockstar Husqvarna deployed for years. Being Wilson, Osborne, and Jason Anderson, now with Monster Energy Kawasaki. A cool moment for the trio, which feels like a last hurrah looking back, was a one-two-three finish at the 2020 Supercross finale in Salt Lake City. That ended up being Osborne’s first, and only, Supercross Main Event win on a 450. In addition to the final race that Bobby Hewitt served as team manager for Rockstar Husqvarna.
After a stint in the GPs, mixing it up with Marvin Musquin, Ken Roczen, and Jeffery Herlings in the MX2 class, Osborne returned for a second stint in America starting in 2012. His second stint in the States is undoubtedly what he will be remembered for. Three total 250 Championships, two Supercross, one Motocross. Then the 450 Motocross title a little over a year ago. Not even mentioning the fact Osborne captained multiple Team USA Des Nations entries as well. Without question, he is one of the grittiest, most resilient riders of this generation. Congrats on a hell of a career Zacho, we’ll always have Las Vegas 2017. Hopefully, you’re managing Team USA for Des Nations down the road as well.
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