Exclusive: Chad Reed Interview

Amid all the speculation about who Chad Reed will sign for next year, it was revealed over the weekend that the 35-year-old Aussie has injured his ankle aboard his beloved 2004-model YZ250 at the Red Bull Straight Rhythm event; prompting speculation over whether he’ll even race next month’s AUS-X Open. But what has Reed been up to since the last round of the AMA SX series back in May? Ideally, what will he be riding next month at the AUS-X Open? Why does he have such an affinity for this Australian event, which is looking to expand overseas? How come he’s let go of his aspirations to race V8s in Australia? Is he warming to the idea of running his own race team again (“on someone else’s dime”)? And why does he think so few of Australia’s indigenous dirt bike racers have been properly acknowledged? All this and more in this three-part revealing conversation between Transmoto’s Andy Wigan and a very candid Chad Reed during his recent whirlwind promotional tour to Oz with Boost Mobile…

“Whatever I ride at AUS-X Open is what I am racing next year.”

“I would want to be a guy who calls the shots; a Roger DeCoster kind of guy. Anything less than that, I don’t have the desire for.”

“It was touching. Seeing those Aboriginal kids watch and sit on a motorcycle … you take it for granted.”