Looking forward from Unadilla – Chad Reed

Hoppen

TwoTwo Motorsports’ Chad Reed rode to fourth place at Round 9 of the 2011 Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship in Unadilla. The Aussie from Kurri Kurri had his confidence shaken from the high-flying crash at Millville and who could blame him? The crash that has been viewed over three million times on YouTube saw Reed narrowly escape serious injury. Reed now sits 26 points behind the championship leader Ryan Villopoto, after giving up his long-running series lead the round after his Millville crash. Transmoto contributor and ex-Deputy Editor, Ian Hancock, is currently over in the US on holidays and stopped in at Unadilla to experience the American MX scene. He scored a quick interview with Reed after the racing.

Transmoto: It looked tough out there. How did you find it?

Reed: It sucked. I was off the pace all day. Coming into this weekend, I was excited to be racing and that next weekend was off. But, I realise now I need that weekend off. I need to wrap my head around the Millville crash and move forward, let it go, ride committed and ride the way I know how to ride. It’s not me out there. It’s not fun or enjoyable to ride the 35 minutes. I don’t want to be a fourth place guy. We’ve got some work to do and it all starts with me. It’s only me. It’s good and bad. It sucks that it comes down to you but I control me so I can work on it. We’ll get there. I’ve got a week off and I’ll get this thing turned around.

What’s the plans for Super X this year?

I won’t even be there. I’ll be in Australia hanging out with my family while everyone else is racing. I’ve had a big year and I’m no longer involved with Super X so I have no care to be there. I hope it does well for the sport but other than that it is what it is and I’ll be at home enjoying time with my family.

Once again, congratulations on the Order of Australia. Everyone back home was absolutely stoked for you. Can you say quickly what that means to you?

It’s kind of hard to put into words what it means. It’s an honour. It’s not an award you strive to get; you do what you’ve got to do and have a great time creating a career and a life for yourself. It means a lot to receive the awards. I’m really excited and thankful that motorcycling in Australia is recognised at a higher level and that means more to me than my individual name attached to it.

Thanks Chad. Good luck at the remaining three rounds.
No problem. Thanks.