Osborne Committed to Yamaha for 2009 MX2 GPs 6

The British Utag Yamaha.com team have secured the services of vibrant young American Zach Osborne for the 2009 FIM MX2 World Championship. The 18 year old from Abingdon, Virginia will steer a YZ250F in next year’s series after impressing in a several outings this season.

The teenager reeled off a series of excellent lap-times on his world championship debut through one of the hardest tracks of the schedule – Lommel, in Belgium – and was then again quick seven days later on the hard-pack of Loket for the round in the Czech Republic. He reached the front of the pack with emphatic determination two weeks ago in Ireland and won the first moto in what was only his third international appearance for the team.

“I am happy that we have reached a deal,” said Osborne. “Steve Dixon and the team have been superb for me so far; their support has been great. I am looking forward to the challenge next season. I do not want to make any predictions but I will be doing my best for the guys and for Yamaha.”

“We had already spoken with Zach about 2009 a couple of weeks ago and his win in Ireland showed that his commitment to us and the effort we have made in supporting him should hopefully lead to a promising full attempt next season,” said Team Principal Steve Dixon.

“We are already working on development for next year and we are really happy to have a rider of Zach’s potential on board. I want us to keep on getting good results for Yamaha so that we can contribute and continue the company’s strong name and presence in the MX2-GP category.”

“We are delighted that Zach will be racing for Yamaha in the MX2-GP World Championship,” said Yamaha Motor Europe Racing Division Manager Laurens Klein Koerkamp. “After very encouraging results as a junior he has recovered from some bad luck with injury and has started to show his potential on the Grand Prix scene and with Utag Yamaha.com. He should be an exciting addition to our line-up in the class for 2009.”