News 27 Sep 2020

Statement ride from Osborne with pivotal WW Ranch sweep

Another 250MX double for Ferrandis at WW Motocross Park.

Image: Octopi Media.

450MX red plate-holder Zach Osborne has captured the most critical win of his Lucas Oil Pro Motocross career at WW Ranch with a spectacular 1-1 result.

A convincing effort from Osborne in the opening 450MX moto saw him strike in the final five minutes, moving by both Chase Sexton (Team Honda HRC) and Adam Cianciarulo (Monster Energy Kawasaki) to go on and win by 2.733s.

It was Cianciarulo and Sexton who were up front throughout much of the moto, with the latter applying pressure and attempting a pass at halfway, but Cianciarulo remained composed.

Few anticipated the attack of Osborne, however, elevating his pace and going on to make a statement with the win over the rookie, Cianciarulo and a late move from Marvin Musquin (Red Bull KTM) saw him take Sexton – who appeared to go down on the final lap – for P3 despite a heavy practice crash earlier.

Finishing fifth was Justin Barcia (Monster Energy Yamaha), followed by Eli Tomac (Monster Energy Kawasaki), Blake Baggett (Rocky Mountain ATV/MC KTM WPS), Joey Savatgy (JGRMX Yoshimura Suzuki), Fredrik Noren (JGRMX Yoshimura Suzuki) and Christian Craig (Team Honda HRC).

Osborne made it a perfect round in Jacksonville by getting out front by halfway and winning with a 4.201s margin, but not before he had to fend off a late surge from defending champion Tomac.

It was initially Cianciarulo who led the way until he and Musquin made contact, which allowed the Frenchman to take his turn at the front. It was soon Osborne who charged past, however, and that is where he would remain in a brilliant way to bounce back from his troubles of a week ago.

Behind Osborne and Tomac, Musquin settled into third position, in front of Max Anstie (HEP Motorsports Suzuki), Sexton, Baggett, Cianciarulo, Noren, Savatgy and Craig. After a strong start, Barcia went down while in P2 on the opening lap, forced to pit for repairs and eventually working his way back into the points for 13th.

The overall podium saw Osborne joined by Musquin and Tomac, which has allowed Osborne to stretch his series lead out to 29 points over Cianciarulo – fourth today – and another point in front of Musquin with two rounds left to run.

Image: Octopi Media.

Monster Energy Star Racing Yamaha’s Dylan Ferrandis took one step closer toward the 250MX crown with another 1-1 sweep at WW Motocross Park.

There was no halting Ferrandis on his way to the victory in 250MX moto one, hitting the lead by lap three and then controlling his advantage at the front for an eventual 9.655s victory.

Behind him, Australian teenager Jett Lawrence (Geico Honda) sliced his way through the chasing pack for second, taking points from teammate Jeremy Martin (Geico Honda) in third.

Martin benefited from a late error of RJ Hampshire (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna) to earn that final place on the podium, ahead of Justin Cooper (Monster Energy Star Racing Yamaha) and Alex Martin (JGRMX Yoshimura Suzuki).

Positions six through 10 were Hunter Lawrence (Geico Honda), Shane McElrath (Monster Energy Star Racing Yamaha) after claiming the holeshot, Jo Shimoda (Geico Honda), Cameron McAdoo (Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki) and Carson Mumford (Geico Honda).

It was another commanding ride from Ferrandis in the second moto, scoring a clean-sweep for the second round in a row with a dominant 15.304s buffer to early leader Cooper in second.

A late pass from Jeremy Martin saw him climb to third, getting the better of McElrath in the final laps, with Jett Lawrence working his was into fifth, but just short of the overall podium once again.

P6 was a great way to rebound for Hampshire, as Alex Martin – after tangling with brother Jeremy and going down – was seventh, McAdoo eighth, Brandon Hartranft (TLD Red Bull KTM) ninth and Shimoda 10th. Hunter Lawrence went out with a mechanical.

Overall for the round, Ferrandis stood atop the podium over Cooper in his first top three of the season and Jeremy Martin took third. Ferrandis now has a 13-point lead in the standings with two rounds remaining.

Next on the schedule is the Thunder Valley national in Colorado, next Saturday, 3 October, for the penultimate round of the 2020 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship.

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