AMSOIL Racing - Columns > PRO PROFILE: Zach Osborne

PRO PROFILE: Zach Osborne

February 08, 2013

For some, success is immediate; for most everyone else, it's a journey. In Zach Osborne's case, it's been a journey that has taken him halfway around the world. After turning pro in 2006, the Abingdon, Va. native struggled with injuries and ineffectiveness. At the age most kids are planning for college, Osborne relocated overseas to compete in Europe. “The decision to go back to Europe was simply because I had run out of options in the states. I’m really glad my career took the path it did, though,” Osborne said. Racing in European Grand Prix events was a bit different compared to North America, but Osborne soon settled in, winning the first moto of the Grand Prix of Ireland in 2008. “The events are all two-day events, so it’s a little bit different philosophy behind the training and preparations for the races,” Osborne said. Equally as challenging was growing accustomed to a whole new culture. “The main thing was I missed my family and normal life here in the states. But I was able to make some great friends and I had a great group of people around me, so that made it easier.”

Osborne’s increasing comfort off the track translated into wins on it, with a victory in the 2009 Grand Prix of Turkey and a British Championship in 2010. Add to that a Marty Moates Cup win in 2010, and one wonders what changed between Osborne’s early struggles in the U.S. and his relentless success overseas. “Mainly just maturity. I wasn’t ready for the jump to professional racing when I made it back in 2006. Now I’m older, married and have a good vision of where I want to be. I think all people come into their own at different times, and I feel like I’m just starting to come to a good level in my career, but I also feel like I still have a lot of room to grow and get better,” Osborne said.

In 2012, Osborne decided to return home to race the first four Monster Energy Supercross East Coast Lites events, hoping to attract the attention of a team. After two podium finishes, the powerful GEICO/AMSOIL/Honda team came calling. Now 23, Osborne joins Mike LaRocco, Kevin Windham, Eli Tomac and other greats to wear the GEICO/AMSOIL/Honda colors. His 2013 campaign has seen top-10 finishes in all four events so far. Though he’s tied for fifth in points, Osborne isn't satisfied. “I need some good results, so I’m going to use the break to turn things in the direction I want them to be. My bike and team are great, and I know they are behind me 100 percent, so I'll continue working," he said. "I want some podiums, and I want to get the results the team deserves.”

Osborne resumes his podium quest in San Diego, Calif. February 9. Watch complete Monster Energy Supercross action on SPEED beginning at 10:30 p.m. Eastern Time.