Mixed day at Houston 2 for the Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing Team

By Press Release on 21st Jan 21

AMA Supercross Dean Wilson Zach Osborne Jason Anderson Houston RJ Hampshire

The Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing Team had all the ingredients for a successful night in Houston, where Round 2 of the 2021 AMA Supercross World Championship took place inside NRG Stadium for the second time this week as part of its three-race stretch in the Lonestar state.

In the 450SX class, Zach Osborne delivered an exceptional performance throughout the day but an unfortunate mistake at the end of the night cost him a well-deserved podium finish. Teammate RJ Hampshire experienced a similar story, battling for the 250SX Main Event victory before a race incident with another rider took him out of contention midway through the race.

Osborne came out swinging as he claimed the fastest time in the first 450SX qualifying session, carrying a third-overall into the nights racing program. He kept the momentum rolling into 450SX Heat 2, where he settled into second early on. After applying pressure to the leader for a solid 10 laps, Osborne secured a close second-place.

As the gate dropped for the Main Event, Osborne found himself just outside the top-five and he quickly began a forward charge, overtaking the second-place position early on. He set his sights on chipping away at the lead gap but he pushed the front end and went down with two laps to go, ultimately finishing 10th in the Main Event.

Overall, it was a really positive day for me, Osborne said. I just felt really supreme all day and things were easy for me. I had a good heat race, felt really good gelling with the track, and in the Main Event the same thing. With two to go, I just pushed the front in a rut and there she went. Its a big mistake that veterans like myself typically shouldnt and wouldnt make so its disappointing and frustrating but Im healthy and safe and my bike is really on point right now so Im happy to come back and give it another go on Saturday.

Anderson bested his Round 1 performance all-around, finishing inside the top-10 on Tuesday. In 450SX Heat 1, he had a great start rounding the corner inside the top-three but a first-turn crash forced a red flag restart. Anderson was able to get another great jump but he got caught up behind another rider and shuffled him just outside the top-five. Riding a consistent race, Anderson secured sixth.

In the Main Event, he didnt get the most favourable start as he rounded the opening lap in 15th. He passed his way into the top-10 early on and battled with a deep field of riders to advance his position. With two laps to go, he overtook eighth and he held on to secure that position through the chequers.

Practice probably didnt look so good on paper but it went better and my heat race went better than last week, so those are definitely positives, Anderson said. In the Main Event, I kind of rode into eighth place and thats what I ended up with tonight. Its not the way we wanted to start but hopefully well keep progressing and well just keep going.

Anderson would later receive a penalty for jumping on Red Cross flags and was docked four points.

Wilson got off to a top-10 start in 450SX Heat 2 and he engaged in an intense battle for the final transfer position early on. With three laps to go, Wilson kicked it up a notch and made two more passes to ultimately secure sixth. In the Main Event, Wilson got off to another top-10 start and he battled with his teammate Anderson early on. He raced just outside the 10th-place battle all race long, ultimately finishing 11th in the Main Event.

Tonight, was a little bit better but 11th is not the result we are looking for, Wilson said. I just needed to start up front and get in that fight a little more but I was right there. I mean, I am surrounded by guys who are winning races so I feel like I am strong enough to be in the mix, I just need to put myself in that position every time. I am getting better and more comfortable, now I just need to believe in myself a little bit more and Ill be there.

250SX East

Hampshire, the fifth-place qualifier, secured a top-five start in 250SX Heat 2 and he quickly moved into fourth. Late in the race, Hampshire made a move into third where he secured a top-three transfer spot.

In the Main Event, he put himself in a favourable position off the start where he mixed it up inside the top-three early on. While making a charge in second, Hampshire went high in a corner and another rider came into contact with him, sending both riders to the ground. Hampshire, dropping back to 20th, worked hard to charge his way back through the field, ultimately finishing 17th.

It was another rough night, I started off with a pretty big practice crash and then did what I could to salvage the heat, Hampshire said. I got a good start in the main, the bike is awesome out of the gate, it was just an unfortunate situation with Forkner because I had the speed and was just clicking off my laps. Ill give it a couple of days to recover and knock off a win here soon.

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