Interview by: Chase Yocon – Words by: Dan Lamb – Photo by: Hoppenworld
Heading into the 2014 Anaheim 1 Supercross, there were quite a few definites and just as many unknowns, but with Discount Tire Racing’s Chad Reed, we were definite that we had no idea what to expect. In 2013, the two-time 450SX Champion and 2009 450 AMA Motocross Champion was fresh off the biggest injury of his career and on a bike he was very open about not being comfortable on. With that, 2013 quickly snowballed into a season Reed would rather just forget happened. Throughout the 2013 Monster Energy Supercross, an FIM World Championship series, Reedy had zero wins and landed on the box just one time—and his outdoor national season was even worse. Most attributed it to a nagging injury and a mysterious illness that Chad was hinting about in interviews, but those that have followed Reed’s career know that comfort is the biggest part of his success. The Reed that loves his equipment is a championship contender, and the Reed that isn’t comfortable is what we saw in ’13.
So, with that in mind, all of us wondered if we’d see that comfortable championship contender of years past or if the thirty-one year old father of two’s time had passed. Well, wonder no more. With one of the deepest fields in history on the gate in Anaheim, Reed came out on his new Kawasaki and laid it down. Sure, the #22 made some mistakes and let Roczen and Dungey get away from him late in the race, but his 3rd place finish in the main was a solid start to possibly winning his third 450SX Championship. While his 3rd place finish gave me hope that the #22 was back, it was his open disappointment in himself after the race that sealed the deal for me. Last year, Reedy would have celebrated any podium, but a championship contending Reed will only celebrate wins.
After the race, MotoXAddicts’ Chase Yocom hunted down Reedy in the pits and asked him his take on his opener. You can check out what the number two-two had to say about his night below.
Chad, you had a crazy off-season with figuring out what color you would ride in 2014, but you went with the Kawaski and finished 3rd at the opener. How pumped are you on the start of your season?
I’m excited! I think I made the right choice. Yeah, it was a solid off-season. I worked hard and came here with a full head of steam. I think the excitement and all that was a little too much. I put a little pressure on myself and just rode tight tonight. I’m super satisfied with a 3rd, but I know there was more opportunity out there.
Yeah, you were fast all day, but just a little off the pace early on in practice. You definitely found more speed later, though. How was qualifying for you today?
Yeah, today was pretty much how it will be all year. I mean, you got those kids that are willing to lay it down in practice, and for me, it’s about finding the rhythm, trying to find a comfort level and, obviously, trying to do the best and put yourself towards the front. I don’t put a lot of effort or focus, and I don’t get too emotional if I’m 5th, 6th or 7th. You just try to give yourself a decent gate pick for the heat and then let the gate drop and do your talking. So it’s going to be a tough year; it’s going to be a drag. I think every weekend it’s so important to get good starts and that’s kind of the next thing we need to really focus on.
Yeah, there was definitely a big change in your speed between the qualifying and the heat races. Were there any big bike changes for you and the team throughout the day?
No, between practice and the heat race we didn’t make any changes at all. I think the guys put new tires on it, a new clutch in the thing, topped her off with gas and we were good to go. We made a little change for the main that seemed to help me a little bit, but other than that no real changes.
In the main event, things got a little chaotic out there, but you got a good start and seemed to avoid it all. Can you take us through your main?
Yeah, I got a good start and just tried to get going. I made a few passes right away on the first lap and just tried to ride a consistent race. I had a lot of opportunities to get to the front and win, but it just didn’t happen tonight. I just rode tight, didn’t have the flow or the rhythm that I needed. We’ll take that as a learning experience tonight and take that into Phoenix and try to make it a little better.
With all the doubters out there and some even writing you off, it had to feel good to land on the box at round 1.
People have been writing me off since 2003, so it all felt normal.
Alright, well thanks for taking the time out to talk with us and good luck in Phoenix.
Thank you.
