Photos by: Chase Yocom
Last weekend, Dave Feeney—Zach Osborne‘s mechanic—wrote “Stamp it Champ” on Zach’s pit board, and that is exactly what the 2017 AMA 250 Motocross National Champion did for the finale at Ironman MX. The #16 finished off his 2017 outdoor championship season the same way he started it four months ago at the Hangtown opener: with a perfect 1-1 day.
While the 450 championship saw three different riders take turns running the red plate at different points of the series, the #16 Rockstar Energy Racing / Husqvarna was consistently the alpha male on the 250 in 2017. Any time another 250MX rider started to make a run at Zach, he was quick to run off a couple wins and retake control of the series. Zach will now head to Matterley Basin for Team USA to ride the 250 outdoors for the last time of his career at the 2017 MXoN.
After Zach’s fifth overall win with his ninth and tenth moto wins were in the history books, I caught up with him inside the Rockstar Energy Racing rig for one last 2017 interview.
Last week Dave wrote “Stamp it Champ” on your pit board, and today that is really what you did with the 1-1.
Yeah, really I couldn’t have dreamed it up much better. I was hoping that’s how it would go—you know, easy day and not have to battle my face off in the back in both motos. For sure, it was just a nice day and a nice way to finish off my 250 outdoor career, also put a stamp on my championship win.
You had a good battle with Adam Cianciarulo in the first moto. Talk about that if you can.
Yeah, it was really good. He was riding well. There were a lot lines and there were a lot of lines that can get you close, but it was hard to make the move. He finally made one little mistake, and I was able to capitalize and drop the hammer. In the second moto, I got off to a little bit better start. I was second, and Adam was in the lead. I made the pass quick and kind of just put hammer down.
Was it important to end Adam’s hopes quickly in the second moto like you did?
Yeah, I know he was wanting an overall really bad, and I knew he was going to be fighting for it tooth and nail. I wanted to run as quickly as I could, and it worked out for me.
I noticed in the first moto that you weren’t doing a lot of the big jumps, but you were making it work for you.
It wasn’t that I couldn’t do them, but I was tired of following. Mainly the triple step-up, I went inside a couple of times. Just to see if maybe he would go out there, mess up, see me or something like that. It is what it is; I didn’t really lose a whole, whole lot. They were alternate lines really.
How important was this year to you? Man, I remember talking to you way back when you were still racing in Europe and just hoping to get back here, and now you’re a double champion.
It was a career year for me. This is one I’ll look back on and say, “That was awesome.” It’s been a dream ride really. I made the switch to work with Aldon and the boys, and it’s been gas ahead since.
What did you get, 10 to 1 or more, on the money you invested to train with Aldon? (laughs)
(laughs) Something like that.
Are you looking forward to running a #1 plate at least in Supercross next year?
I think I have to run the SX one. I wanted to run the #1 here today, but it’s still Cooper [Webb’s] championship at this round. I respect that. Next year, I don’t know if I’m going to take a single digit or not, but either way it’ll be nice to run the #1 in SX.
If you do choose a single digit, which number is on the top of your wish list? #8 maybe?
Right now, #8 is kind of the only prospect. The #7 and #9 are options, but I don’t really want either one of those. I want #8. I think I’ll end up taking it, but I haven’t made it final yet.
The #7 might be a little controversial? (laughs)
Yep, it’s controversial. Yeah, for sure, but it is available.
I’m pretty sure you were still racing GP’s when Jeffrey Herlings was just coming up in MX2. Were you and he able to catch up at all while he was at Aldon’s?
He was there on Wednesday, and I went and watched him ride. We were also on the same flight, so yeah. He’s been really cool. Huge kudos to him on taking this risk. He doesn’t have to be here. He’s probably not getting paid anything—maybe a little bit of bonus money—but, call it pride or whatever you would say, he came and did it. And that’s really cool of him. I wish we could go there more and they could come here more. I think it would be good for everyone.
When do you head over to England for the MXoN, and how excited are you?
I’m over the moon. Yeah, it adds a lot to the season, but at the same time, I’m going to take the three weeks before the race to go there and prepare. I’m looking forward to that and being around some familiar people. Just getting to go back is going to be a good experience.
Hang out with Steve Dixon [former team manager] and see the old friends?
That’s the plan.
Congratulations on an incredible year, Zach, and we all hope you kill it at MXoN.
Thanks, Dan. I appreciate it.
