Defending Champ Out For The Season
Steve Cox | June 6, 2018
Defending Champ Out For The Season: Rockstar Energy Husqvarna’s Zach Osborne had been fighting an injured thumb for the last two rounds of the 2018 Lucas Oil/AMA 250cc Pro Motocross Championship, but it was the big crash at the start of the second 250cc moto this past weekend in Colorado that actually did him in for the series. As he got up, he rotated his shoulder and looked to have “popped it back in” before re-entering the race, during which he put on a heroic performance to overcome both his shoulder and thumb injuries. As is often the case with injuries immediately after they happen, Osborne became more aware of the injury after the race.
Defending Champ Out For The Season
Defending 250cc champ Zach Osborne is out for the remainder of the 2018 season with a torn labrum in his shoulder. PHOTOGRAPHY BY KIT PALMER
The following is from the team:
Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Zach Osborne is out for the remainder of the 2018 Pro Motocross season. The disappointment of this announcement comes after Osborne was involved in a first turn pile-up during the start of Moto Two at the Thunder Valley National this past weekend in Lakewood, Colorado. He sustained a shoulder injury, torn labrum, which will require surgery. Recovery time needed extends past the current 2018 motocross season. We expect Osborne to make a successful recovery and cannot wait to see him back on the track!
Zach Osborne: “I am extremely bummed to say the least. This fourth consecutive championship aboard the FC 250 was one that I wanted bad. It’s almost surreal that it has come to an end, but I know everything happens for a reason. I’ll use this time to prepare mentally and physically for the challenge of my first year in the 450 class. I am excited to get my recovery started and move onto the next step of my career!”
Defending Champ Out For The Season
Osborne’s recovery from his needed shoulder surgery will keep him from lining up again outdoors in 2018. PHOTOGRAPHY BY KIT PALMER
In the midst of having two injured 450 riders, Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory racing would like to announce that Phil Nicoletti will be filling in aboard the FC 450 Rockstar Edition, for the remainder of the Pro Motocross season. Nicoletti comes to the team with thirty top-ten finishes in his Pro Motocross racing career.
Phil Nicoletti: “I am happy to have the opportunity to finish out the Pro Motocross season with the Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing team. I look forward to getting on the bike and showing everyone what I have. Thank you to everyone backing me, see you at the High Point National!”
Bobby Hewitt, Team Manager: “It has been a devastating week for all of us here on the Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing team. Losing Zach for the remainder of the season is unfortunate but he will be back, just as strong as ever. We are excited to have Phil for the rest of the Pro Motocross races and know he will mesh well with the team.”
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