Chad Reed crashes out of Motocross des Nations
Chad Reed experienced the highs and lows of motorsport at the weekend’s Motocross des Nations Event at Budds Creek in the United States, taking second in his first moto but crashing out of the final
Chad Reed experienced the highs and lows of motorsport at the weekend’s Motocross des Nations Event at Budds Creek in the United States, taking second in his first moto but crashing out of the final. The Aussie proudly pulled on the green and gold jersey and lined up alongside Andrew McFarlane and Michael Byrne to contest the event, a formidable lineup and a realistic chance at contesting for team honours.
In June, Chad had made a successful one-off return to the AMA Motocross series at Budds Creek, coming home in third, and this provided him with a confidence boost heading into the Motocross of Nations event. Reed eased into the opening moto, and worked his way into second place which he comfortably maintained for the duration, setting some quick lap times in the process.
The result was a good reward, but would be the only highlight of the weekend for Reed, who was involved in a turn two pileup in the second moto. Extensive damage to his Yamaha saw Reed forced to retire from the moto, a disappointing outcome considering his earlier results and perfect race fitness. “I feel like I rode quite well. It took me about fifteen minutes to get going in the first moto, I got into second and rode my own race,” said Reed. “I was watching Ricky behind me and normally he comes up pretty strong but this time he didn’t. I felt like I had a good rhythm and my lap-times were OK,” he said. “I just wanted to have a good race in my last moto but in the second turn Ramon jumped on the brakes and I had nowhere to go. People hit me and I was on the bottom of a pile-up. Once I got going I struggled to shift gears and that was it.”
His teammates fared no better, with McFarlane injured and out of the running and Byrne retiring with mechanical dramas. Reed was pleased to have been a part of the Australian effort and said representing his home country again was an experience in itself, regardless of the end result. “There is nothing that makes you prouder than pulling on the colours of your country. I seemed to have been hurt for the last five or six years or we have reached the end of the season and I needed surgery for one stupid reason or another but it was amazing to be here. We had a great team and it just wasn’t our day today. I just want to get ready for the Supercross now.”
Chad Reed and L&M Racing are proudly sponsored by San Manuel, Yamaha, Unbound, Nike, Parts Unlimited, THOR, Bridgestone, AFAM, D.I.D.,VP Fuels, GYTR, Yamalube, One Industries, Pro Taper, White Brothers, OGIO, Amp’d Mobile, Alpinestars, and Scott.
