May 18, 2011 – Glen Helen Raceway, CA – Zach Osborne won the coveted Moates Cup at the U.S. Grand Prix for the second year in a row. Established last year to celebrate America’s return to the FIM Motocross World Championship GP schedule as well as commemorating 30th anniversary of Marty Moates becoming the first American to win the USGP, the Moates Cup is presented to the “Top American” finisher on the day. Making the deal even slicker is a big check, literally as well as figuratively, for $5,000 presented by Lucas Oil.

“It was a game-time decision,” said Osborne after crashing in Saturday’s qualifiers. “I was in a lot of pain, but X-rays showed that my wrist wasn’t broken, so I decided to go for it.” Making things even tougher for the Bike-It Cosworth Yamaha rider were the muddy conditions, compounded by tangling with another rider in the second turn and crashing right onto his injured wrist! “The Moates Cup was on my mind the whole race and it helped me ride through the pain,” added Zach. He battled through the pack and the sloppy track conditions from last place up to 9th in the first moto.
The second moto was even tougher… “pretty much just a matter of survival,” said Zach. A better start and a dramatic pass of Pro Circuit Kawasaki rider Max Anstie for 4th place just after the 2-lap board came out combined to give Osborne 5th overall for the day, and more importantly, 30 crucial points towards his World Championship title aspirations. “Obviously I wanted to win my home GP, but given the circumstances, I’m pretty happy with how things turned out… and I get to keep the Moates Cup for another year!”

“Zach Osborne is an outstanding young man and his courageous charge in the first moto was truly worthy of Marty Moates’ legacy,” said Cup co-founder Scott Cox. “Despite riding hurt, Zach proved that he is indeed ‘Top American’ and certainly deserving of the award for the second year in a row.” Fellow Moates Cup co-founder Todd Huffman added, “We owe a debt of gratitude to our friends at Lucas Oil for stepping up with financial backing of the Moates Cup award.”

“We want the U.S. riders like Zach to know we are behind them back home,” concluded Bob Patison, Executive Vice President of Lucas Oil Products. “Lucas Oil is honored to be part of the Moates Cup award and to support American GP riders.”