A Letter from Chad Reed
Friday, July 23, 2010 | 3:00 PM
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PrintTo My Fans and Supporters:
I have spent most of the last month in and out of my doctor’s office getting tests done, trying to figure out what is going on. Each weekend I head to the race excited to get out there and get some wins on my Monster Energy Kawasaki, ready to defend the number 1 plate that is on my bike, knowing that I have worked hard during the week, on and off the bike. The team and bike are prepped and ready on race day and then I'm unable to race like I normally can. Where is that fight that I normally have?
For most of this outdoor season I have been frustrated and questioning every part of my program, wondering why I am unable to race to my full potential. It's tough knowing you're better than what your performance and results show. It's embarrassing riding with the #1 plate on and not battling at the front! I don't take it lightly and I knew I had to get to the bottom of my issues.
Many people have commented that it's due to my role as a new dad, but that's not it. Tate makes me want to race harder. I want my son to be proud of me and I want to teach him that by working hard you can achieve your dreams. My friend Andrew McFarlane passing was another reason that I may not be riding to my full potential. That I'm keeping it safe. That's not it either. I have always rode within my safety zone and I know Andrew is up there pumping me up to get some holeshots and win some races like he always did. These two reasons alone make me want to race harder and give it everything I have, to be an example of hard work to my son, to live life to the full and be thankful for doing what I love to do and that is race a motorcycle! I'm not ready for retirement; I want a few more championships indoors and out!
So finally with all that said, I got my results back from the doctor. I have Epstein Barr virus. I know some other riders have had it and I never thought I would be sitting here saying the same thing. It explained my fatigue issues on the track. I knew it wasn't my fitness, but I was struggling to finish motos. It just got to a point where it was dangerous for me to be out there. My doctor, team and I have decided that I need to be off the bike for a while to try get this handled. I am really disappointed to be out again. This year has been a personal worst for me. I have often been referred to as "Mr. Consistent" but this year has been far from that.
I want to apologize to my fans for not being able to race for you and I want to take this opportunity to thank you for your support and sticking by the 22 this year. From the worst times come the best times. And I will be working hard to kick this illness so I can get back on track and winning races as soon as possible.
-Chad
Reedy has Epstein Barr.
photo: Simon Cudby
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Good luck Chad!! I guess all the Experts on here where wrong again. Get ready for A1... We need all the top guys on the line there.
The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), also called human herpesvirus 4 (HHV-4), is a cancer-causing virus of the herpes family, which includes herpes simplex virus 1 and 2, and is one of the most common viruses in humans. Epstein-Barr virus occurs worldwide and causes infectious mononucleosis (glandular fever). There is also strong evidence that the virus has a primary role in the pathogenesis of multiple autoimmune diseases, particularly dermatomyositis, systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, Sjogren's syndrome, and multiple sclerosis. It is also known to cause several lymphoproliferative disorders and cancers, particularly Hodgkin's disease, Burkitt's lymphoma, nasopharyngeal carcinoma, and central nervous system lymphomas associated with HIV. [1] Most people become infected with EBV and gain adaptive immunity.[2] In the United States, as many as 95% of adults between 35 and 40 years o****e have been infected. Infants become susceptible to EBV as soon as maternal antibody protection disappears. Many children become infected with EBV, and these infections usually cause no symptoms or are indistinguishable from the other mild, brief illnesses of childhood. In the United States and in other developed countries, many persons are not infected with EBV in their childhood years. When infection with EBV occurs during adolescence or young adulthood, it causes infectious mononucleosis 35% to 69% of the time. In immunocompromised individuals, the Epstein-Barr virus can also present as an opportunistic infection known as hairy leukoplakia.
Get better Chad love watching you race and your candid interviews.
Looking forward to seeing 22 back on the track, take it easy and get well soon. DK
I had Epstein Barr when I was in my 20's. The doctor said it was due to stress and the long hours at my job. It kicked my butt and I lost like 25lbs in 2 weeks. Epstein Barr is the same thing as Mono. Reed should be ok for the 2011 SX season.
get well and come back strong, hope to see you in for SuperX downunder while preparing for A1.
I commend him for his efforts and wish him best during his time off. He's a class act!
Chad, I hope you dont get ragged on like JS has been for the last 6 months or so.. Get well, and like Billy said, try and be ready for A1.. Take care....
Get well, Chad. We need you out there in Moto and Supercross. You are a top-shelf dude. Tate is already proud of you.
ok BillC I am no Dr and I didn't understand a F-ing word I just read but I do offer my support to getting better CR...You never looked to be the same rider since Rd 1 See you next year
Wonder what brand he'll be racing on come A1.
No wonder. I don't think any of us bench racers can really appreciate how long the "season" is for these riders, these guys barely have any time off. Can you imagine a football season that lasted 9 months including 105 degree weather? Teams would be running the single wing because all the quarterbacks would be out. They could eliminate San Franciso and Salt Lake City SX races, Unadilla and Wortham MX races to pick up another month of rest and get rid of the least favorite tracks. While we're at it, bring back Broome-Tioga! That track was the best.
I think Chad has a 2 year contract with Kawasaki.
Didn't RC and TP199 also have EBV? Not sure how you can "manage" EBV and still be an athlete. RC managed somehow and hopefully CR will also. I guess if you over train and don't get rest you're susceptible to contracting EBV.
Get well soon Reedy. I hope next time we see you is still on an mx bike and you can battle to your full potential.
I believe he does have a two year deal with kawi.
Now it makes more sense, I couldn't undrestand why CR wasn't doing better outdoors. Get well! BillC I can't believe how much your writing and spelling has improved!
With respect to Chad's deal: According to an interview he did with Matthes, he has a two year deal with Monster. 2011 is a contract year for Monster and Kawasaki, so no guarantee Chad will be on Kawasaki next year. That being said, I would be shocked if Monster and Kawa didn't come to an aggreement for 2011, so I expect he will be back at Kawi next year. Thanks for the update Chad, that clears up a lot. Get well soon!
BillC ... or wikipedia?
Get rid of Unadilla, LBiggie? Bull****!
I'm surprised the Reed haters haven't piped in yet. This'll be a tough one, Chad. Hope you can get back to your full potential and come back strong.
Get well Chad! You are a fighter and I'm sure you get back to your winning form.
It was the same deal with Gibby a few years back. He shoulda been contending for wins up in Canada, but he struggled to stay in the top ten. It just didn't make sense. After losing the season and his ride, he finally went to the Doc......
Sucks man, I hope he gets everything worked out soon. Chad, if anything, 2010 shouldn't be looked at as a complete loss... unless it's my imagination, I think you've won back a lot of fans this year.
John Dowd as fill in!!!!
EBV has put my wonderful, beautiful wife on permanant disability. It is a very serious desease. It can be controled with rest, meds, and constant doctors attention. He will be fine. Fortuneatly he can afford to do everything he can to get it under control without having to work a 9-5 to pay the bills. Believe me that will help alot!! God bless you Chad and get feeling better!!
Good luck on your recovery! And comeback stronger!
Get well soon Reedy. The amount of stress that these guys have on their bodies is unbelievable. I'm surprised there aren't more cases! Hope to you see at some of the races still.
sorry to hear that. I was thinking he was the guy to beat Dungey. Its crazy with how hard these guys train and diet, yet their always coming down with stomach issues. Mine was peeing and pooping. I would pee like 8 times and poop 5 before my moto's. Dayam. hope he gets to at least beat stewey tho. After Chad did what he did at hangtown, I thaught he was in it to win it all year. Thanks BillC for the info on that virus. sounds a little worse than a tapeworm
Hope he gets back stronger than b4. Kawi should give his bike to Langston for the rest of the Nats. Red Dog retired 2 weeks to soon!
Thanks for the heads up Chad, Ive had that same virus and it is difficult to shake off, Do yourself a favor and get well then then come back strong, I have always been a fan since you stayed at my house as a quiet shy kid back in 95 in England, you done good Chad, and your letter shows your a true professional. Dave
It wont make a difference that hes gone, he cant answer dungeys call anyways!
Sad to hear about that. Get well soon Chad!! Now bring Ricky Dietrich to fill in under the Kawi tent. Or could it be Regal??
Aha..... well that explains it.... too bad.....get well Chad, hope you're ready for SX .....
WWWWHHHAAAAAAA call it what you want ,,, you just cant hang......... maybe instead of trying to be such a rock star and leaving Suzuki because you wanted more money, you should have stayed and worked harder, very convenient that you get this when your on a new team yet your just sucking every week and now you got some lame excuse. Well see ya **** douche
Madman - youve bumped your head. No disrespect to RD but hes the slowest sx/mx champ we have seen in years. The pace of the races are slower than 3 years ago for sure. I knew something was up, get well soon Chad.
Damn, bad news, at least your getting to the bottom of it. Enjoy the time off, kick it with the boys, get that house finished. Come back swingin!
What wears him down from racing 1/2 the Nats after taking SX off?
kdub414 how far did you make it in racing MX and SX?? I would love to know.
KDUB414- Straight up- YOU ARE A LOSER! Why do you have to kick someone when they are down? Chad has put himself on the line and battled for years even when injured to ride at the top of our sport!! Every rider that qualifies for the main in supercross and motorcross is a hero to me and you are so disrespectful, go take a look at yourself in the mirror and see if you can work out why you need to drive the boot into one of the greats in our sport!?
Well Billc .. I didnt. but thats still no excuse from Chad to pull this WOW all od a sudden he comes down with this after TWO count them TWO bad deals with two differnt teams, L&M I could understand but acting like a lil **** cuz Suzuki would drop some more cash to him is BS.... now he is stuggling and hmmmmmmm all of a sudden this disease pops up, I am not a Chad hater just seems like a bitch copout to me.
i vote john dowd!!!!
Now can you please go back to Oz? Forever?
JOHN DOWD!!!!!! UNADILLA!!!!!!!!!!
Kawi will try to have Wey ride both bikes...
Thanks for the letter Chad. I saw you roll through the pack at Hangtown picking off guys left and right in the 2nd after smoking everyone in the 1st. I knew there had to be something going on. Im glad to hear your not ready to hang them up. Get well soon and hope to see you at Dodger Stadium in 2011. Im no Dungey hater, I like the guy but I think Chad, RV2 and even Stewart have something for him if they are there and healthy. Hopefully all parties will be present at the beginning of next year and it will be on. As for Kdub, not the real one, the dope on here, dope matt and theron, you guys sound like a bunch of A holes.
A lot more respect has been brought to me after reading this letter. Get well Chad, look forward to seing you out there soon!
epstein barr virus syndrome is a serious disease happens to highly tuned athletes many other mx riders have had this condition it is impossible to compete at the top of any pro level with this condition
Looks like the 450 National Championship is now all but wrapped up. Dungey is pulling out the broom for the sweep and stocking up on 1 number plates.
Good to hear you are not hanging up the alpinestars. Hope you get well soon and can rock in the 2011 sx season. You, RV, JS, RD, KW, Grant, Canard, and many more... Going to be deep! Gotta say though, I'll be rooting for RV first though. Huge fan of Reed to though.
I admit although I'm not a 22 hater, I have questioned (and posted about) his desire to "be in it to win it"......Maybe the 800 should get checked out too......just sayin. Get well Reedy, you've been good to the sport that you have "had the desire" to relocate yourself and family to chase a dream of being the best at, and in my book, (little credability there) you have succeeded in being one of the best the sport has seen. Get well, enjoy the fam, come back hard!!!!
umm mmm didnt Chad say he was done after the kawi deal. Basically after 2011 he is done racing bikes. I heard that from the horses mouth. So what is it now talk of wanting to keep racing. Its obvious that Kawi doesnt suit Chads riding style just like Alessi and the 350. Even if Chad comes back at SX its going to be hard for him to podium let alone get his usual 2nds. He will have the Dunge and RV to fight and thats if JS beats those 2 for 1st. Honestly I dont see a Championship for REed not on that Green bike maybe a Makita suzuki but yea I said it not on Green. He has yet to finish a season on the Green machine.
I think i may have it too! I stink on the track lately. Either that or puttin in too many hours on the clock at work! I'm very tired. All kidding aside, good luck and get well soon Chad.
Get well Chad Reed You are a Class Act. Thoughts & Prayers are out to you & your family.
Congratulations BillC, you figured out how to copy and paste. Now stop plagiarizing and write something original.
@ Chad Reed -- get well soon and come back! @anyone else who has anything bad to say about Reed -- unless your initials are RC, JS or RD, you should probably just refrain from talking smack. Respect the guys who would lap you in two laps at any given track.
All I hear is "waa waa waa." That virus isn't that critical. I think the "Aussie" is looking for a reason to stay at home with his kid. That or he simply can't keep up with the real competition and is making excuses for not winning. Your time is over old man.
bhfox39 you obviously have no idea what you are talking about. Epstein Barr will kick your butt. I was on short term disability and I was lucky to walk from the couch to the bathroom for 3 weeks. I couldn't imagine trying to race MX.
Indeed, much respect to Mr Chad Reed for taking the time to share his accounts on defending his number 1 plate. It can't be an easy thing pulling off the track when you've been a CONSISTENT fighter. It's one thing proving you were the man in '09, let alone the pride of champion proving he IS the man and why he's bike wears the BIG #1 Let's hope the champion Reed is, that he over comes this condition and it doesn't signal the pre-retirement. See you soon 22.
ZZZZzzzzzzzzz
Oh if only the roles were reversed and another certain rider were pulling out right before another certain rider was coming back......i wont do what all the JS "doubters" would do to him if he were in this position. You all can say what you want, but you know it is true....you would tear anybody else up for this "letter".........get well CR, i hope we can see all of you guys on the line at A1 come January.....you will be there right??? This is most likely the truth as his results have not been what we would expect from him.......fair enough.....i just hope some of you realize how you would handle this news from someone else!!! It wouldn't be pretty!!! Let the denial begin!!!
I have a hard time believing this. I think a couple of top riders have raced thru this before. I mean how many issues did or does this guy have? Everytime he can't win here come the excuses..
i`ve never been the President of the U.S.A so does that mean I cant voice my opinion on politics ? What rider out there has more titles n the Premier class than Reed. N people bag on him ? Just more haters. He deserves the same we ALL do n thats whats best for that person. I love watching Chad ride. The 1st moto @ Red Budd maybe the best 450 moto ive ever seen. N I was there n 07
I say there is no question Chad Reed is good for the sport. He works his tail off and gives his best even though he knows he hasn't really been better than the competition (RC or Stewart). I believe him and am disappointed there are people calling him a liar. I am NOT a Reed fan, but I do respect him and appreciate what he brings to the sport and I recognize the sport needs him. Be back healthy for all next year, Reedy!
And there we have it....knew it was coming. At least you're consistent Whatever. I think you see a fair amount of people questioning Reed here, yet you have to bring your favorite into it somehow and proclaim how he would get it much worse. Too much.
When a guy with Reed's talent is struggling in the middle of the pack you know there is something wrong. This is just as bad as recovering from an injury.
Ah ha ha!!!! Mr.Whatever, your are a true spinster my freind!!!!! you can take any comment, post, article, etc etc etc and make it about "you know who"!!!!!! Dam dude, i hope "you know who" never retires, I'll miss your posts! a hehe a hoohoo!!!
So did Chad just make up a lie about his neck because he thought the fans would believe it!
Sorry for the condition and it's role on your life CR, but I am not disappointed you aren't racing anymore. Sick of your arrogant ways and excuses when you don't win.
get well dude,, come back firing at A1....no one cares about the internet geek cyber tough guys, there losers an wish the had a fraction of the talent your pinky has,,,we need you on the gate in SX.
Whatever, I do agree with you in that if a certain someone, say, #7 were to post something like this, he would take some flack! But, I really don't believe he would have the CLASS to post something like this. I'm fine with people hating Reed, But this disease is a ****! I live with it everyday. (wife). It is not a easy thing to deal with. I hope JS7 or any other rider NEVER has to deal with this. He didn't get this doing something stupid, like Back-flipping for the X-games....... He got it training.....
i must admit that I havent always givin Reed a fare shake. I really didnt care much for his attitude (the way he came across) in his interviews. Basically thats all many of us have to judge these riders because obviously we cant know all of them personally. Yes, I (as most others here) would have to agree that he has mad skills on a dirt bike. However, just because he could outrun me on an MX track dosnt mean that he is a better person than me. I would bet both my bikes that i am better plumber than he happens to be. He's just faster on a bike and he desirves respect for that(we all know how you get respect though.) He (unlike me) choose a profession in which media and fan's oppions are part of the big picture. A true ambassador for the sport would understand this( not assusmeing that Chad doesnt.) Get well soon! I cant wait for A1.
Get well soon Chad you earned my respect by being one of the few European riders to not camp out in the 250 class. You are smooth like KDub only a lot better racer then he ever was.
Ultimately it doesn't matter BKR, it really doesn't, my only point is that if Stewart posted this at this stage of the game, all hell would break loose,and yes, MUCH more than CR gets here.....yea i know, so what......no big deal, and as i said, could be some truth to it as he is struggling this year. BUT, i still dont know if i have ever heard him say that he is simply just getting beat, there ALWAYS seems to be something going on thats causing it. I thought it was his neck last week!!!! "fattireguy", i truly respect your opinion on this disease, based on your personal experience with it, i really do.I do however disagree with your opinion on a lack of class in JS to post something like this. How is this showing class?? To be a little skeptical is not out of line here, who knows, it doesnt matter really!! And I do not "hate" CR!!
Not a CR or JS fan here ! Just a little tired of it all but that virus is nasty so you have to give the guy the benfit of the doubt! As far as JS the "Puppet" yes all Hell would break out if he posted a letter like this. I think there are more Reed fans out there than Puppet fans!
Whatever, I think if you looked at everybody from the same objective viewpoint you might start to see that most of the top racers when they don't have anything for a guy tend to find "reasons" why. Then they are labelled a crybaby, whiner, or excuse-maker. Remember when Stewart couldn't beat RC because Kawaskai didn't have a 450 yet? Or that same year when Stewart kept pulling off getting sick? Just today Pourcel mentioned his clutch cable caught damage and I'm sure it came off as an excuse to many fans. It's still a case of if fans don't see the issue, they question it. You have to start realizing that the same distaste you have for Reed, others have for Stewart. The thing is you do the same with Reed that others do with Stewart, yet you have a huge problem when Stewart is getting it. The point some of us made here is why do you even bring Stewart up here? Maybe just once in awhile stifle the James vs. Reed nonsense a bit. You're going to need to start making it Stewart vs. Dungey or Stewart vs. Villopoto anyway. Hopefully for you, Stewart isn't going to have any reasons why they are giving him trouble on the track.
Its cool Chad! Your fans will be waiting for you buddy! Can't wait to see you smoke everyone! As I said on your site I don't feel like watching moto unless number 22 is out there. 22 all the way!!
Once again, whatever BKR, nice attempt to call me out. Dont give me the bs line that everything i talk about somehow comes back to JS. "Why do i bring him up here???? Making a very simple point!! I myself was the one calling many people out on the fact that not a single story could be written without somebody bringing James up. During the time i wrote that, i had not mentioned his name for months, i feel now with his apparent return, that it is not out of line to bring him up. one more thing, im well aware of the fact that many riders have some "reason" they are not doing well, but in this instance i am talking about Chad Reed and MY OPINION is that he does it quite regularly......that is ok for me to do still isn't it??? Express my opinion like others do??? You say i have to start realizing that others share the same distaste for JS that i do for CR........no s h i t sherlock, as if i wasnt aware of the dislike for JS on here!!! You really have me all wrong bro, im cool with it if James Stewart gets beat, im cool with anybody i like getting beat if someone is simply riding better than they are. As far as JS?? I simply love to watch the guy ride a motorcycle....for many of the same reasons i like to watch KW ride. There is nothing i need to stifle here my man, im much less a JS fanatic than many of the people here are anti-JS fanatics.....much less!!
Very nice letter. Get well soon..plenty of respect from my direction to 22
W.E.---Opinions are what this space is for. Just practice what you preach. If you don't like fans questioning Stewart's injuries/problems don't turn around and question any other rider's injuries /problems. Very simple. You've questioned Reed anytime he has had any issue that didn't involve broken bones/surgery. I don't care for Stewart yet you can find many posts where I defended his injury as being legit. I can't imagine there is anything from you ever defending Reed in any way.
Whatever, Thanks. My comment on "class" was that James has never came out and explained why he has taken soooo long to return to racing, other than the vague comment here and there. At least Reed cares about the "Fans". He felt he owed an explainatiion as to why he has fallen off the pace. Thats all. Even you have too admidt James distances himself, At least Reed makes an attempt here.... for the fans, thats all.
Leave it to Whatever to take an article that has nothing to do with Stewie, and bring Stewie into it. It has nothing to do with him. Get well Chad, we want everyone back 100% for A-1. And Fattireguy, I am sorry fgor you and your wife. It sucks when something like that happens to a hardworking person. At least she still has you there with her.
Fair enough "fattireguy". Have you had a chance to listen to the recent podcast with James on Transworld??? He does explain how the extended recovery from the injury came about. Believe him or not, he does give explanation. Some will surely doubt his reasoning, but then again, some doubt Reeds reasoning and timing. The podcast is actually very good (though a little long). Stewart does admit to Matthes that he has a tendency to go into hiding a little bit during the breaks, but hey, he's not racing so what does that really matter?? We were told all season long that he had not been cleared to ride by his doctor yet, what else do we really need to know? Some people(not you) seem to forget that he was out with injury, an injury with a potentially tricky recovery. Who's to say?? I dont know!!! All we need now is for your fav (RC) to come back and race a few...haha, THAT would be fun to watch. Do you think we will ever see him on a track again, or do you think he is truly done??
......whatever "bd"....go back and scan the last several months of postings big guy, you will find PLENTY of people who bring James up in totally unrelated stories......but you will notice throughout that I am NOT one of them. I actually make the same accusations to those people that you do to me here. Sorry my friend, but stick a sock in it on that one!!!!
If RC came back? LOL, that would be funny as hell!! I do believe he would have to shed some lbs but he would still be fast.!!!! lol I have not listened to that pod cast. I must have missed it. But, If he comes out and explains it than I'm fine with that. Plus, he deserves a brake from the spotlight! BD200 Thank you for your kind words that means alot to me.. My wife is a fighter, This disease won't keep her from enjoying rides on my 1800!! (Just no jumps!!)
I believe he is truely done. other than a few parade laps, and some videos of him training at his farm, we won't see him racing on a bike ever again. that sux!! lol
This release by Reed is UTTER horse manure... He doesn't have Epstein Barr.... he's never gone hard enough to even get it ! Epstein Barr is a direct result of overtraining, and he has NEVER been overtrained... Hell, he's had it easier in 2010 than he ever has in his life.... his stomach issues earlier in the year made him more rested than anyone, & he still got dropped ! It has been 1 excuse after another w/ this guy.... he has come to the realization that his best days are behind him... Cant wait till he shows up at A1 & gets a taste of what's in store on that full gate.... aint nobody moving over for his butt... I think this self proclaimed master manipulator doesnt realize just how transparent he's become the past 2 or 3 years now... He can be a decent enough guy, but "announcements" like this coming at exactly the same time that he's riding around getting dropped dont help his cause.... Remember, Fisher still has to pay his arse !
kdub414 and Crooked Sepkovic you guys are Idiots. Chad has nothing to prove to anyone not to mention couch racers like yourself. How do any of you know what he is saying is true or not. He has beat the very best in his time, he has won championships and is well respected in the sport. What have either of you done that comes close to his accomplishments??? Please let us know? If not then stick a sock in it....and stop letting us know that you have a hole where a brain should be.
LMAO!! WILDWEST110 U r crazy about that plumbing sh##. Anyways JS said it on the intvw with mathes. He just doesnt care anymore, he does whatever he wants now. As long as his sponsors are cool.Besides, He is the fastest man on planet earth and if you dont pay up u can kiss his u know what. He distance himself on purpose.