Zach's New Career

“It’s a huge shot in the arm for me” – Zach Osborne on new Enduro career

From retirement as a Pro MX and SX rider to a new career in Enduro and GNCC Racing, Zach Osborne nearly takes a maiden US Sprint win at his first attempt – what next, a place in Team USA squad for ISDE 2023 in Argentina?

“I was extremely nervous about this first race,” said Zach Osborne on his return to racing and first attempt at the US Sprint Enduro series. Osborne hasn’t raced professionally since the Thunder Valley Motocross in Colorado in 2021 having retired as a professional rider due to a back injury.  

Fast forward through a lot of rehab and Zach is back and at it, and back in enduro with a place in the Am Pro Yamaha squad  to race in GNCC and US Sprint Enduro.

“To be back at a professional level, it means a lot more to me to race this weekend than most people will ever know, just from where I was in the last year and a half as far as my health and stuff goes. It’s just a huge, huge shot in the arm for me.”

Filling some pretty big boots in the Am Pro Yamaha camp (Steward Baylor and Layne Michael departed in the off-season), Osborne just raced the opening US Sprint Enduro weekend at the South of the Border MX facility in Hamer, South Carolina and damn nearly won it.

After a late in the day mistake (getting stuck in a mudhole) dropped him to P4 overall on day one. But Zach hit back on Sunday and took the overall day win from the likes of Johnny Girroir, Josh Toth, Thad Duvall and Layne Michael.

“I won five of the six cross tests.” Said Zach after the US Sprint round one. “I was second in one of the enduro tests, plus won another one, which wasn’t even on my radar for this weekend against guys like Jonny and Layne and Josh. So, that was huge for me.”

 

Osborne is not a complete stranger to enduro despite the hugely successful motocross and supercross career. A handful of GNCC races might be more recent but some will remember he formed part of the USA ISDE squad in 2013/14.

The “new career” opportunity, back with Yamaha who Osborne raced MX with over in Europe for a couple of seasons, will take some getting used to he explains, “I’m learning the format, learning how to do everything,’ said Osborne. “The start procedure, the time in-between, just the whole gamut of what sprint enduro is here in the USA. To have the weekend that I had, I feel like I was pretty successful.”

On this evidence, who’s to say a place in the 2024 ISDE squad going to Argentina is out the question?

Interview: Shan Moore

Photo Credit: Simon Cudby + Shan Moore + Future7Media

SuperEnduro World Championship

MIPS...An Important Subject

Dylan Ferrandis Says He's OK

Ferrandis commented: “I’m okay after my crash in the main event. I hit my head first and got knocked out for some minutes… Everything else is fine and I am okay now fortunately. I will follow the concussion protocol and will see what I can ride again. Sorry. A big thanks fo the medical team.”

Hunter Takes Houston in Strong Fashion

Team Honda HRC rider unmatched in convincing main event performance.

Australian Hunter Lawrence managed to strike first in the Houston round of 2023 Monster Energy Supercross, marking the season-opening round of 250SX East.

Racing for his first time on American soil, Tom Vialle (Red Bull KTM) led the first lap, before Lawrence soon rode into the lead and took charge from there.

Apart from Vialle, debuting rookies Chance Hymas (Team Honda HRC) and Haiden Deegan (Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing) displayed early brilliance before dropping back. At the same time, Jordon Smith (Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing), Nate Thrasher (Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing) and Jeremy Martin (Muc-Off FXR ClubMX Yamaha) moved forward.

With Lawrence leading and Max Anstie (Fire Power Honda) in second, Smith held third despite a fall in the sand, while a worse fall for Thrasher in the same area dropped him to 15th at the end.

Holding off a charge from TLD Red Bull GasGas rider Michael Mosiman, Deegan benefitted from a last-lap fall for Martin to finish fourth on debut after Lawrence, Anstie, and Smith earned podium positions less than three seconds ahead.

Martin recovered for fifth ahead of Mosiman, Vialle, Hymas, Cullin Park (Phoenix Racing Honda) and late Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki fill-in rider Chris Blose in the top 10.

Rockstar Energy Husqvarna graduate Hawkins was 11th, just up the track from Coty Schock (Phoenix Racing Honda), who salvaged a 12th-place result after being questionable to participate in the LCQ. It will be Lawrence who holds the red plate heading to Tampa next Saturday, 11 February.

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Houston We Have A Problem...Tomac's Back!

1. Tomac 2. Sexton 3. Anderson

Lasts weeks crash did not slow him down. Wire to wire even with a staggered re-start. Sexton chased him but couldn't get close enough for a pass attempt.

The Bomber!

The Andreani Group New to the USA

Noted Italian Distributor of Performance Motorcycle and

Bicycle Suspension Products Opens US Distribution Arm

Hendersonville NC - January 31, 2023 - Andreani, known throughout Europe as the premier distributor of motorcycle and bicycle suspension products, announced today the opening of their first US office and distribution center, located in Hendersonville NC. The facility is building a stock of products from their own lines as well as well-known brands that will be distributed to US bicycle shops and motorcycle dealerships.

The Andreani USA facility is a 10,000 square foot distribution center and houses the offices for Andreani USA. The company currently employs four people in the US and expects that number to increase as business grows. Andreani USA currently distributes products from SKF, Intek, Kayaba, Showa, and Ohlins, as well as its own Andreani line of suspensions for motorcycles and bicycles.

"The Andreani Group is thrilled to open our operations in the United States. The US market is a tremendous opportunity for our company. We believe that our approach to high performance two-wheelers, which is to provide great products and help technicians by offering comprehensive training, will have a significant impact on bicycle and motorcycle riders in the USA," said President of Andreani USA Luciano Ubaldini

Andreani Group International was founded in Pesaro, Italy in 1987 by Giuseppe Andreani, a former motorcycle racing champion. Initially focused on supporting the performance needs of motorcycle riders and racers, Andreani quickly realized that the science of vehicle suspension was not well understood by riders and technicians in the motorcycle world. Andreani worked with industry experts and built a training program, which became the premier resource for technicians and tuners in Europe to get the most out of their motorcycles.

Andreani USA will begin offering this type of training in the United States later this year and will encourage technicians from their customers’ dealerships to attend, along with tuners from some of the top road racing and motocross teams in the industry. The company will also offer training for mountain bike racing teams and technicians, leveraging the company's deep roots in all types of performance two-wheelers.

The company expects the staff in Hendersonville to grow to 10-15 employees by the end of 2023 and will expand to offer more products and more top brands of motorcycle and bicycle suspension products.

ABOUT ANDREANI GROUP

Andreani Group International is a privately-held company focused on providing top quality suspension components to bicycle and motorcycles riders around the world. The company distributes top name brands, as well as their own lines of products including the innovative Misano EVO cartridge, one of the most successful products in the suspension category. Andreani Group International has distribution centers in its home town of Pesaro Italy and Barcelona Spain, and recently opened Andreani USA in Hendersonville, North Carolina. Since its beginning in 1987, the company has been focused on great suspension products, along with training and support for technicians and tuners that help riders get the most from their bikes.

News Release distributed for Andreani USA by Steve Piehl, Authentic CX, LLC, Customer Experience and Communication.    

CHRIS BLOSE TO FILL-IN AT PRO CIRCUIT KAWASAKI FOR THE 250 EAST SUPERCROSS SERIES

Pro Circuit Kawasaki has announced that Chris Blose will contest the 2023 AMA Supercross 250 East Championship for them. Blose continues with Team Green after an impressive season abroad with the Bud Racing Kawasaki team in which he secured third overall in the World Supercross Championship class and second overall at the 2022 Paris Supercross. Blose was seventh overall in the 2022 250 West Championship He will join thePro CircuitKawasaki team at Houston Supercross on February 4 to replace Jo Shimoda or Seth Hammaker (take your pick).

“It’s an honor to be gearing up to race with the Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki team,” said Chris Blose said, “I’ve seen the success of the team firsthand throughout my career and I’m really looking forward to going racing with their support. While the Houston Supercross is coming up fast, I’ve had a lot of comfort on the KX250 recently, so the bike is familiar and we should be competitive right out of the gate.”

2023 AMX MX Open Hailed A Success

Honda teammates Jed Beaton (14) and Kyle Webster (96) battled it out for the Pro Open class victory with Webster taking victory on the day.

Honda teammates Jed Beaton (14) and Kyle Webster (96) battled it out for the Pro Open class victory with Webster taking victory on the day.

The AMX OPEN proudly presented by Penrite Oil which was run over the weekend at Wonthaggi, Victoria has been hailed a success by riders, industry leaders, and fans.

The Wonthaggi Motorcycle Club and KMG worked closely together for a third year and club president Chris Townsend wants more of these events in the future.

“280 entries, a large crowd, trade displays and great racing, what more can we ask for. The entry numbers have improved year on year and that’s inline with the growth we have been experiencing in motorcycling,” said Townsend.

“The clubs need these types of events,” Townsend continued, “Their success helps us improve our infrastructure and resources. Yarrive and his team of people and the event sponsors help make this event rewarding for all involved.”

Event coordinator, Yarrive Konsky appreciates the efforts of those involved.

“Firstly without the Bass Coast Shire this event isn’t possible, neither is the equal prize money amongst the Pro Women and Men. Between the Bass Coast Shire, Motorcycling Victoria and the Dandenong Club (Wonthaggi) we are able to deliver a professional event that provides something for everyone. The inclusion of juniors, girls, senior men, and women is important for our targeted growth, such inclusion creates accessibility which inspires and influences participation,” said Konsky.

 Kyle Webster took his second Pro Open Class win in as many years.

Kyle Webster won the Pro Open Class aboard his Factory Honda CRF450R, his teammate Jed Beaton finished second. In the MX2 class it was Nathan Crawford who took the honours against his teammate Kayden Miner. Both riders rode brilliantly, Honda rider Brodie Connolly took third.

Webster and Crawford were pleased with their results.

“Three wins from Four starts is a good way to start the year off. I made some mistakes and I need to clean those up but overall the bike is great and I am ready for the season ahead,” said Webster.

Whilst Crawford was pleased with his results, he believes he has not yet reached his potential.

“It’s going to be a big season but I am happy with where I am at, given there are 5 weeks to go before the first round of the Nationals,” said Crawford.

Taylah McCutcheon was dominant winning the Women’s Pro class ahead of Honda’s Tahlia O’Hare and Emma Milesevic.

McCutcheon was thrilled with her overall performance and is looking forward to round 1 of the Women’s nationals in 5 weeks.

“I didn’t know what to except as this is a new team and bike for me. I am pumped with the overall result as I know we can improve on this as we prepare for round 1 of the MX Nationals in a few weeks,” said McCutcheon.

McCutcheon also appreciated the equality with prize money.

“We train hard, we know we aren’t as fast as some of the men, but we are training as hard to be the best in our class and to be treated equally for the effort we put in is appreciated,” McCutcheon added.

The AMX MX OPEN has already been approached to run again next year. The $20,000 in prize money is appreciated by everyone, the club does a tremendous job with the track and the sponsors and KMG come together for the betterment of the riders and sport.