Chad holds on for second at St Louis
Chad Reed has maintained his championship lead by riding conservatively to second place at Round 15 of the 2008 Monster Energy AMA Supercross Series, at the Edward Jones Dome in St Louis.
St Louis, USA – Australia’s Chad Reed has maintained his championship lead by riding conservatively to second place at Round 15 of the 2008 Monster Energy® AMA Supercross Series, an FIM World Championship today.
Before a crowd of 48,698 at the Edward Jones Dome in St Louis, Reed showed the competition he is not going to let a broken shoulder end his hopes of a second AMA title and actually recorded the fastest lap time in the opening practice session. Reed was penalized for stopping for too long on the track and had the time removed by the AMA but his second-fastest time put him fourth overall after both sessions, even though he sat out second practice to rest his shoulder.
After a comfortable ride in his heat race, Reed got a good start in the Main Event, taking the race lead on the opening lap. The Australian held his position for four laps before a small error allowed championship rival Kevin Windham to pass him. Reed kept Windham at bay until Lap 4 when he lost momentum in the whoops section. He stayed close to the Honda rider, poised to retake the lead, until loosing time on lap 9 whilst trying to get around lapped riders, a hurdle he endured for the next 11 laps.
On his way to crossing the chequered flag in second place Reed set down the fastest lap of the race, finished 10 seconds ahead of third place and said another week of treatment would see him stronger for the penultimate round of the series in Seattle next weekend.
“Man I glad that’s over!” Reed admitted. “Tonight’s race was a true test of the treatment I’ve been receiving all week and although we thought it was working I knew I wouldn’t know for sure until I got out there for the race. Im really pleased with the progress we have made in the 7 days since the crash”
“My shoulder’s definitely a lot better than last weekend. I just couldn’t make it happen in the whoops. I didn’t want to lay (the bike) down, so I rode for second tonight. I want this title and I’m not about to let it go. I feel like I’ve let these guys into this points’ battle all season long by making mistakes.I looking forward to making amends on those mistakes over the next two races,” Reed added.
Reed will resume treatment for his shoulder over then next few days before preparing the second last round of the Championship at Seattle’s Qwest Field on Saturday 26th April.
AMA Supercross Class Results St Louis
1. Kevin Windham, Centreville, Miss, 25pts
2. Chad Reed, Tampa, Fl, 22pts
3. Andrew Short, Smithville, TX., 20
4. Nathan Ramsay, Menifee, CA, 18pts
5. Thomas Hahn, Alvord, TX, 16pts
6. David Millsaps, Tallahassee, Fla., 15pts
7. Justin Brayton, Murriet, Calif., 14pts
8. Paul Carpenter, Ithaca, NY, 13pts
9. Travis Preston, Hesperia, CA, 12pts
10. Jason Thomas, Melrose, FL, 11pts
AMA 2008 Supercross Class Championship Standings
1. Chad Reed, Tampa, Fla., Yamaha, 318
2. Kevin Windham, Centreville, Miss., Honda, 305
3. Davi Millsaps, Cairo, Ga., Honda, 244
4. Andrew Short, Smithville, Texas, Honda, 241
5. Joshua Hill, Yoncalla, Ore., Yamaha, 196
6. Tim Ferry, Largo, Fla., Kawasaki, 190
7. Nathan Ramsey, Menifee, Calif., Yamaha, 173
8. David Vuillemin, Murrieta, Calif., Suzuki, 146
9. Paul Carpenter, Ithaca, N.Y., Honda, 136
10. Nick Wey, Dewitt, Mich., KTM, 131
