Zach Osborne wins 250SX & builds championship lead
Both Zach Osborne and Jason Anderson maintained their points lead in their respective classes with a victory for Osborne in the 250SX event and a second-place finish for Anderson in the 450SX event, with Eli Tomac proving the dominant force in the 450s over the weekend, but still fourth in the overall standings.
Eli Tomac leading the 450SX Main Event
450SX
Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Eli Tomac left the St. Patrick’s Day field green with envy leading from the start in the 450SX Main Event to capture his fifth win of the season. Tomac led all 27 laps and finished over 20 seconds ahead of Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Jason Anderson in second.
Eli Tomac
“From the start of the day, I just felt like I was on. There’s days where you’re just on. I felt awesome all day, I left my motorcycle alone tonight, went out there, pulled the holeshot and ran away with it…These are the nights we like.”
Eli Tomac
Jason Anderson was second at the start of the Main and focused on a consistent race. He rode his own race and kept it steady to maintain that position and extend his points lead in the class.
Jason Anderson
“I’m good with second, my heat race was a little rocky, but I made it up in the Main Event. I’m glad I was able to extend my points lead and I’m looking forward to next week.”
Jason Anderson – Jeff Kardas
Marvin Musquin and the KTM Factory Racing Team also made their return to the 450SX podium, as Musquin shot off the line and into the third place position off the start. The French rider maintained a steady pace throughout the 27-lap Main Event as he worked hard to close the gap on the leaders ahead. Despite a hard-charge, Musquin wasn’t able to close the gap where he finished third for the night in St. Louis.
Marvin Musquin
“I’m a little bit disappointed with the performance tonight, I finished pretty far off the leaders. Riding by myself the whole Main Event was not easy but I gave my best the whole time. I still got a 3rd place on the podium but I wish I could have battled more with the 2nd place. I thought the riding was okay but I was just missing a little bit of rhythm.”
Marvin Musquin – Image by Jeff Kardas
450SX Main Event
Eli Tomac
Jason Anderson
Marvin Musquin
Justin Brayton
Weston Peick
Blake Baggett
Broc Tickle
Dean Wilson
Christian Craig
Malcolm Stewart
450SX Class Points Standings
Jason Anderson – 246 points
Marvin Musquin – 204 points
Justin Brayton – 189 points
Eli Tomac – 186 points
Blake Baggett – 181 points
Weston Peick – 171 points
Broc Tickle – 147 points
Cooper Webb – 146 points
Cole Seely – 124 points
Dean Wilson – 115 points
250SX
250SX Start at St Louis
Zach Osborne proved a force to be reckoned with, pulling the holeshot in the Main and immediately going to battle. He went back to second, but took his time during the long race and focused on regaining the lead.
Zach Osborne
Waiting for his opportunity to strike, he took the lead with seven minutes and a lap to go after race leader Austin Forkner succumbed to Osborne’s pressure and went down. He stayed consistent and rode to victory to maintain his lead in the 250SX East Championship.
Zach Osborne
“Big win tonight in St. Louis, I feel good about the way I rode. I came out with some good speed in practice and found my feet today. I was able to get a gap in the end and managed the race from the front. It’s an incredible feeling when you can do that. I’m happy to leave St. Louis with a little gap in the points. I’m just going to keep working.”
Zach Osborne – Image by Simon Cudby
Forkner meanwhile recovered and was able to take fifth position, retaining second overall in the standings.
Austin Forkner
“It was a frustrating night for sure, but it’s one thing to dwell on what could have been and another to turn our focus to a great opportunity next weekend with the showdown, I made mistakes and then I also was involved in mistakes not my own doing, but everyone has their bad days and I’m hoping this is the worst I will encounter as we keep pushing forward toward the end goal.”
