with ... Zach OsborneWhat are Zach’s feelings on his own season, what role does he play in
the Bike-it Cosworth Wild Wolf Yamaha team, and what’s his analysis on
the Roczen/Herlings duel ? For Youthstream, Stanley Leroux, sat down with him after the GP of Spain to
figure it out. Well, I was fourth until last weekend in Spain when I had a DNF in the
first moto causing me to lose several points. I have now moved into fifth
in the standings. I am a little disappointed in the season so far
because I haven't really accomplished my goals and contended for the top
spot like I should be. Zach Osborne at the Monster Energy GP of United States - Stanley Leroux image. In Portugal you fought with a sickness, and you’ve been struggling
for a few weeks with your wrist, you even scored your podiums riding
with a splint. Are you riding at 100% at the moment ? Sometime between France and Portugal I got some sort of flu which
made me feel very weak and my body ached. I was also coughing really
badly, which took a lot of energy and affected my breathing quite a lot,
so it was difficult to race with the infection. In the heat race at the
USGP in Glen Helen, I made a mistake and another rider landed on me,
which caused a small fracture to the radius of my wrist. I had it
x-rayed on site and was told it wasn't broken. Two weeks later, I found
out that it was indeed fractured. At the weekends, I would say I am
riding at 85-90% because of the pain and limited movement, but it is
greatly affecting my training and practicing during the week, as I am
trying to prevent any further damage to it while it is healing. The GP racing season is very long, so in the winter months, when I do
the majority of my training and riding, I am cautious not to 'peak' too
soon in the season. The championship isn't won in only one or two
races, and I think consistency and pacing myself pays off. There is less pressure on me this year having Arnaud as a teammate.
In previous years, I have been the only rider who could really make a
good showing for the sponsors and for the team, so if I wasn't at my
best, it wasn't good for the team. But now with a rider like Arnaud,
even when I am not at my best, he can promote the team. Last year I had several opportunities to ride factory bikes, but I
declined because I am playing an important role in the development of
the Cosworth engine. I have a really good team and good people around me
who are very supportive at the best and worst times. I think it is more
than the bike that brings success, but also having a good team
atmosphere. My bike is good enough to win. My favorite track of the whole season is St Jean, but in the coming
weeks I am looking forward to the British GP at Matterley Basin, as it
will be like a second 'home GP' for me being that it is only 20 minutes
from where I stay. The track that I am dreading the most is Lommel. Ken Roczen is the man to beat this year, but we're only halfway through the season and anything can happen! |
