Bike it Cosworth Yamaha begin world championship quest this weekend, Zach Osborne Q+A

The distinctive black and red motorcycles of the Bike it Cosworth Yamaha team will roll out on the FIM Motocross World Championship stage this weekend with the first Grand Prix of fifteen due to take place at Sevlievo in Bulgaria. The opening act of the 2010 international saga will not only see riders Zach Osborne, Mel Pocock and Ed Allingham embark on their plights for success but witness the GP debut of Cosworth technology within the Yamaha YZ250F machinery.

After two rounds of the Maxxis British Championship (with one victory obtained by Osborne) the FIM series gets underway with visits to Bulgaria, Italy and Holland taking place in the month of April.
Bike it Cosworth Yamaha begin their sixth season as part of the MX2 class, which was created from the old 125cc category in 2004. The British crew have MX2 Grand Prix winning experience thanks to the efforts of former riders Andrew McFarlane, Billy Mackenzie and Osborne, who was the sole Yamaha victor in the 2009 competition with his maiden spoils in Istanbul for the Grand Prix of Turkey.

The 2009 world championship began in a positive fashion for the squad with Osborne walking the top step at the third round, but the contrasting fortunes of motocross were harshly felt only a week later when a fall in practice for the Portuguese GP ruined the American’s season. The 20 year old is now looking to make up for lost time in only his second full term with the team and spent the winter months honing his physical condition with ex-team-mate Kenneth Gundersen in Norway.

British teenagers Pocock and Allingham will have different priorities come the weekend. Pocock started to pick up points and feel accustomed to the frantic pace of world championship racing in the second half of 2009, in which he was mostly carrying the team on his shoulders through Osborne’s absence. Allingham will make his Grand Prix debut at Sevlievo and will embark on a journey of discovery throughout the next six months and thirteen countries.

“The team is ready to go and we once more can count on some excellent support in many different areas from our partners and sponsors,” said Team Principal Steve Dixon. “It is not an easy time to be running a team in motorsports but I think it says a lot about our operation and potential when we can attract people like Cosworth and also new associates like Wild Wolf. It also speaks about the level and professionalism we have currently in world championship motocross. We are excited to get started and Zach looks in fine form; he really has worked hard over the winter. Mel has grown, matured and developed and it will be interesting to see how he can progress even further at this level. Ed is in the situation that Mel was not too long ago so he has the perfect chance to learn.”

Sevlievo won FIM awards in 2006 and 2007 for Best Organisation and is widely regarded as one of the best motocross circuits on the calendar for its purpose-built facilities, excellent viewing possibilities and the mix of speed and technical demands of the course.

Bike it Cosworth Yamaha can be followed through the Grand Prix weekend via live timing on the official championship website: www.motocrossmx1.com or via free and live coverage of the motos on www.freecaster.tv

The team’s official website can be found at:

Zach Osborne Q+A

20 year old American Zach Osborne enters his second full season with the Bike it Cosworth Yamaha Team in 2010. The charismatic and talented rider made an instant impression in his plight to gain the 2009 MX2 world championship when he won round three at Istanbul for the Grand Prix of Turkey; the sole success for Yamaha last year. Sadly his campaign was prematurely curtailed two weeks later in practice for the trip to Portugal where a mishap in practice led to a broken scaphoid. After several aborted comebacks Osborne recovered and trained hard with former team-mate Kenneth Gundersen in Norway over the winter and after winning the opening round of the Maxxis British Championship is out to make up for lost time on the Cosworth-powered 2010 YZ250F...

Did the trip to Scandinavia work-out? How fit and ready do you feel?
ZO: The Scandinavian trip was great. I had so many great days of hard training and it’s brought me to another level of fitness. I feel so much stronger and more ready for this season.

When did you first get the idea to head over there and to work with Kenneth?
ZO: The idea came up just before the Birmingham Supercross. I went there just to do ten days of work and see how it went. Now it has turned into a great relationship and I’m really looking forward to it lasting.

What were your impressions of being there and the kind of work/training you were doing?
ZO: In terms of effectiveness I think it’s the best I’ve ever done. Perhaps not quite as many total hours as in past years but everything we did made perfect sense and there is never any mucking about; it’s always business.

2009; what happened exactly? There were a few failed comebacks and you were nowhere near the normal speed. Should you have taken more time off?
ZO: Looking back you can always make better decisions but, yeah, maybe I should have waited. It was a bit too soon and I wish it had gone differently but it is what it is, and I have to learn from my mistakes.

You ran with Musquin and Paulin and beat them in Turkey. Do you conserve that memory for confidence?
ZO: Turkey is a great memory but not for that reason. I know that when I’m 100% I can run with anyone. My bike is much better this year, so am I sure I can do exactly what I did Turkey.

After a year and a half working and living on the other side of the world how do you feel about your lifestyle now and position in Grand Prix? Do you still have burning ambitions here?
ZO: Of course I do. This is my job. I am here to get results for the team and for myself. I enjoy the life I have here and I have good people around me. The longer I stay the more comfortable I get.

What was your first reaction to the news Cosworth were coming onboard?
ZO: I was pretty surprised actually. I am not really into F1 so I had to do a bit of research into how they would be helping us. Now that I’ve met them, seen their facilities and importantly ridden the bike I’m happy!

Do what extent have they become involved on a day-to-day basis with your racebike?
ZO: As far as I’ve seen and been informed they do all the development and supply the parts. It will be interesting working with them this season and I think we have something that is pretty unique to motocross.

How does the new Yamaha compare to last year’s bike?
ZO: The new bike is completely different in a very positive way. The 2009 Yamaha was due an update. I rode just a completely standard bike all winter and loved every minute of it.

The team always seems to enjoy good backing and support. How important is that in these hard times?
ZO: Things are tight right now but Steve is a good talker; that’s what keeps us at the top level and keeps our team running smoothly and looking good! We have lots of support from a lot of people and we really appreciate it.

Will we see a little bit of a different Zach Osborne in 2010?
ZO: Who knows? I guess we will see in Bulgaria.