Monday Conversation: Chad Reed
Monday, November 8, 2010 | 4:37 PM
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PrintThis morning the Australian newspaper The Daily Telegraph printed a story about Chad Reed starting his own race team for 2011, and the story pretty much made it look like Reed’s operation will be based around Australia versus the U.S. We called Chad to get the details on the team, and we found out he wasn’t very happy about the newspaper taking that angle on the story.
But he is happy about going racing. Here are the details.
Racer X: The story broke in this newspaper, but this is an Australian paper that’s not really focused on supercross, so maybe the story doesn’t come out they way they way Americans or supercross fans would want it.
Chad Reed: I just read it and I’m disappointed. Normally they’ve been pretty accurate through the years. I didn’t even know it was out until this morning when I got a text from you. I was a little confused. It was a crazy morning, I was making some phone calls, and then I finally sat down and read it, and I was immediately like "Oh no." This was not the image or the storyline I was going for. Obviously it’s an Australian rider and newspaper and they have taken the story in a different direction than I hoped. But other than that, things are good, I’ve got awesome news coming and I’m excited to share it.
Reed at the intro of his one-race-only Vodaphone Honda deal in Australia last month.
Alex Gobert photo
Yeah that’s the thing, the big news here isn’t this Australian newspaper article, it’s the fact that you’re starting a team, and you’re going racing.
Yeah, it’s something that’s been in the works for a long time. This is a box I really wanted to check off. I always looked up to Jeremy [McGrath] and I think that, and not trying to compare it to Jeremy, but from the outside looking in, he had an off year back in what, 1997, and he just tried to create his own thing. I wouldn’t say I’m doing that exactly, but I just want to do some things, have a little say in things, a little more control. What better way to do that than own your own team? I’m excited to announce over the next week or so some of the unique and cool relationships we’re going to work on and some of the team and staff. It’s disappointing to have this newspaper story out there. This morning, I got good a message from someone about one of things we’re trying to do with the team, so I was excited, but then I heard about this story, so that was too bad, because it’s not what I really wanted out there, but I guess it’s done and dusted now.
Okay, well we all want to know about the team. How in the hell are you going to pull this off by Anaheim 1?
Well, now it’s official, but it’s been in the works for the last couple months. It’s like we had a checklist of things we had to check off before we could pull the trigger on something so big. We’ve got some great people helping out and great sponsors. And, really, the reason why I do have this option and because of the people’s budgets, I’ve been very fortunate in racing and there is a certain amount of money I can put out there on my own. And I love it. I love racing, and I love the business side of racing. I’ve learned a lot over the last few years. These teams are all committed and their budgets are set, and everything is really tough. My way of looking at it is, they’re maxed out, and I look at what it takes to go racing, just even a bonus program at this level, if you’re on the podium week after week, and being in almost every title fight like I was for eight years, it really adds up. It’s expensive, the insurers don’t like me, because my odds are good [laughs]. It really has nothing to do with salary or bikes and parts. It’s a big commitment to do that, so I’m going to try to do it on my own and invest in myself and invest in the sport.
The story says you’re riding Hondas. Any other brands or companies known yet?
Nothing that I can announce at this point. The newspaper did say one thing right, the Honda is my bike of choice. I’ve been fortunate—since I didn’t have any contracts over the last few months—I was really able to evaluate everything. Do I still have the fire to go race? Do I really want to do my own team? I feel like I got to make decisions based on facts, and not just being in a contract and making a decision off of what you’ve seen or heard. And I liked the Honda, and the opportunity I had with Vodafone to race in Australia was kind of a trial run. I really like the Honda, it’s light and nimble, it’s a rider’s bike. It was a lot of work, a lot of headache, packing up stuff in a box and doing that race in Australia, but there were a lot of positives, too. I’m creating my own destiny and that’s what I’m most excited about. The story made it seem like an Australia versus the U.S. thing. But let’s be honest, motorcycles are where my head’s at. If I wanted to move to Australia, I could have tried to go V8 Supercar racing. I’m building a house here, this is where I want to be.
So you’re putting your own money into this?
Yeah. At this point I have some commitments, but most of them are only 99 percent signed off on. So there’s no money coming in, so checks have to written on behalf of me. That’s how much I love it. I’ve gotten to work with some amazing people, I’ve been around the block a few times, and I’ve tried to be a big sponge over the years and see what some teams do better than others. I’ve seen people make mistakes, including me, and I hope to learn enough from that to put a team together that can challenge for a championship.
Reed won in his only Aussie apperance on a Honda.
Alex Gobert photo
Still, we’re looking at two months. That’s a lot of work.
Yeah, it’s a lot of work to do, but to be honest there’s a lot to do if I’m just steering the ship, or if I’m just a rider. Over the last few days I was able to secure things I needed to do, and now I can kind of move on to training and testing.
From your experience being on factory bikes, do you need access to factory parts? Can you get access to factory parts? What’s the current state of the private team?
I think all the production bikes are very good, and they’re all good enough to go race and win on. They all do something better than each other in some area. The Honda is the one that suits what I’m looking for. I really think that, having one part available or twenty parts available are the same if you don’t know what you’re looking for. You can run around in circles quite a bit. I’m well aware of what factory guys have available to them. There are certainly things I would love to have available to me, and we’re working on that. But at the end of the day I think the Honda is still enough. I think we’re further down the track than what it seems. Time to get after it and make it happen.
You’ve had a lot of setbacks with training and health. How are you doing with that?
I feel awesome to be honest. I really did need time to step away. I had to put myself in a horrible situation, where I had to make late decisions and build a race team in November. I really was sick and I really wasn’t at my best, and it was hurting me, my confidence, my name, Monster, Kawasaki, everyone. People were saying I didn’t look good on it. It just wasn’t a good situation for all involved, so that’s why I tried to get out of the things that would stop me from being healthy. I had to be 100 percent committed to taking time off and doing the therapy that I chose. Obviously a lot has happened since the last time I raced. It’s been a challenging year, but I think at the end of the day it’s one of those years where you just learn a lot.
My epstein barr was connected to the glandular fever I had when I was a kid. I had to repeat the first year of school when I was a kid, because I was sick.
What’s that called?
Glandular fever, that’s what it’s called in Australia, I think it’s the very similar to Mono. It seems like doctors have a different opinion and story, and that seems to be the most reliable thing I’ve heard.
Reed plans on announcing sponsors and more details regarding his new U.S. team by the end of the week.
Alex Gobert photo
One of the things people don’t understand about riding for free is, nowadays at the top level, you have your own tracks, and trainers and practice mechanics. To ride for free is to start in the hole. Can you still maintain all that?
It’s not that easy, and it is funny to read that, but I also understand it. It’s hard for some folks to know what goes into achieving these goals, to be a guy challenging for the lead. Everyone of these guys has trainers and their own facility, and that all adds up to making your race day as comfortable as can be, because that’s when it counts. I’m sure a lot of people don’t understand when you say you won’t ride for free, but now I’m out there writing my own checks. I’m writing checks now, but I expect checks to come back in!
We’ll see what brands are bringing those checks in when, this week?
I think in the next week we’ll see that, yeah. So yeah I’ve got some exciting new things. I have a new trainer, which is new for me, because I haven’t had a trainer since Hangtown in 2006. So I’m excited and real positive to get after it. I’m committed to the sport, I want to be one of those guys who walked away having checked off a lot of different boxes.
I think next year is going to be a really challenging year, and I think the series is going to be a real crazy one. I’m not willing to give up not being a part of that yet. I think I still have some fight in me. I want to be a part of that battle and that fight. So I’m stepping up in many ways—like getting a new trainer. I interviewed and met with five or six guys, so it’s been fun, a lot’s been going on. I try to keep the twitter fans [follow Chad at @CRtwotwo] up to date on as much as I can, there have definitely been things going on without making it public.
Have you gotten in trouble for Twitter yet?
[Laughs] Not on that end, yet, but I didn’t have a contract, so I felt like I was able to share things no one else could share, because everyone else has a contract. Some people love it, some hate it, but that’s normal.
Well, people may love or hate you, but everyone wants to see all the top riders race each other next year, and you’re going racing.
Yeah, and that’s what I’m excited about. And I was really questioning all that last year, not being able to go fifteen minutes into a moto. I was like, "what’s going on here? Is this is sign or a warning?" So I had to go away, but doing that one race in Australia really showed me a lot. A lot of Australians are disappointed I’m not racing there, but the U.S. for me is where my heart’s at. This is my focus; these are the races and championships that I want to win. I’ve been away from my family for three weeks, I have a six-month-old that’s trying to crawl, and I’m missing all that. I’m committed to going racing and doing whatever it takes, even if it means stepping away from family. I’m excited and I’m motivated so now it’s time to get to work.
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Good luck to Chad and everyone involved with the team. That said, I'm sick of this guy.
C'mon, why are you sick of Chad Reed? He's good for the sport. I can't understand all the hate this guy receives. He seems like a genuinely good guy who loves the sport and has the fire to compete.
good job- go CHAD!
A happy guy is a fast guy.
MAN I CAN'T F ING WAIT TILL A1!!!!
Good to see a top guy back, but come on Chad quit complaining alot of riders have kids and a family and miss out on stuff, and your making a decent amount of money! I m sure your wife and child can travel with you. I m sure the soldiers over seas would love to see their kids grow up they risk their lives for way less, and we all make choices. Work at the wal mart if you want to see your family everyday. You ve got crazy skills enjoy it while you can it will end sooner than you think, Should be interesting, Chads gonna have his work cut out for himself, alot of hungrier riders out there IMO!
Is Reed done using neckbraces?
Nice!! Reed is going to be great this year!! I see a 3-4 man battle to the end!! This really could be the best SX season ever!! Rv2,JS7, RD1, CR22. plus every one else! A1!!!!!!
Love him or hate him his move is revolutionary. We will see if it works out for him. Pourcel been quite and no one seems to know whats really going on with him.
He is still getting OWNED come A1
Wouldn't that be shocking if Pourcel ends up riding for Reeds new team...something to think about. Good luck, Reedy...I admire the guy for putting his own funds into this thing and giving it a go. I for one think he will contend for race wins. He had a bad year, big deal...Windham is like 50 and still beats the snot out of these young kids. Reed has teamed with RV, raced RD and Stewy, he knows what these guys bring. If he didn't think he had a shot, he wouldn't put his money into it.
Now he just needs to announce that Pourcel will partner with him on the new team.
Come on MXB2, he's not "complaining" about anything, just telling it like it is. Do you have kids? are you married? I don't care how much money you make, it's sucks to be w/out your family for any length of time no matter who you are. Also, he isn't making ANY money right now (team wise). I'm glad he's getting something together and going racing. That's what really matters to the fans.
Best news in the sport this silly season! Like him or not, Chad puts his money where his mouth is and you have to respect that. What other rider has shown more support of our sport than CR22?! Not only is Honda and ProCircuit big winners in this, but all of us as fans as we witness an epic 2011 with both big guns out to prove something. A rider who has ridden the major four manufacturers and chooses what he wants to ride, on his own terms, with his own money... go the (Rat) Kurri Kid!
Reed in his interview with Matthes over at Transworld said no teammate just him.
DUNGEY RULES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
All my credit goes to this guy. I am a father myself, and the moment I first saw my child, I even tried to quit riding because you'll never know where you may end up at the end of every moto and you have big dreams for your kids that you want to take part on it. They compromise almost everything for the love of the sport, and you've got to give credits on that. A happy reed means a faster reed!!! Pourcel & Reed? I guess sponsors would love to hear that tandem..... He won't ride for free? Now he is funding his own team with uncertainties whether the business aspect would give him business returns... That's pure heart out there who seems to promote the sport even if it means emptying his own pocket!
It will be funny to see him fail miserably....
Even the haters can't deny that the series would be WAY weaker without Reed there. When Reed was on the Suzook - yes Stewart chased him down for the title - but there were races where Reed was genuinely the faster guy. How many riders can say they were faster than JS7 around an SX track? RC and Reed.
CR22 - From a riders point of view I applaud you - 8 years effectively at the top and giving the biggest names fits almost every race... you have been a the top step at the end 3 times(MX and SX) and every other year but 2010 on one of the other steps.... Inspiring to say the least ! From a Business owners point of view - I also applaud you - over the years I have noticed that you and/or your management team have been the best negotiators on the sport period, JGR was a breath of fresh air, but after SuperX and team Vodafone, now this.... once agin inspiring to say the least, you and McGrath are in a small group of people that say see your future after racing that will remain in the sport... The apprentice is now becoming the Master. (It's not just about the bike here - It's a life style and a business!) By far one of the best additions to AMA SX/MX and world SX/MX. Look at formula one - All the external sponsors.... Rockstar MAKITA Suzuki (You cant sell power tools at a Sx ticket stand, but you can sure bring companies to watch logo's jumping around a track!!!) Good Luck Chad, See you at the Races, Hopefully at Vegas wit you throwing up that red #1 plate!!!
It's gonna be a good year, looks like Chad knows what he's doing
Right on!!! thats one more top rider in the mix!!!! yeyah!!!!
First off, the reporter can only write about the information given to him or her. Chads just trying to back pedal his way out of bad mouthing the US. He talks as if this team will be made from his personal money, at the end of the day this team will be funded by sponsors just like every other team out there. In the past Reed has always bad mouthed the teams and sponsors he previously rode for it will be interesting to see who will work with him. I am not a CR22 fan but I do think it is best for the sport that he is lined up at A-1.
Reed's putting up ball his own money? And he's not getting factory parts? Sounds to me like he's a bonafide privateer. I'm sure he will get some more support along the way. You sure can't count the guy out. Hope he's able to pull it all together before A1.
Thats why we line em' up... Once that gate drops theres no more **** talkin till u see the checkers!!
Always bad mouthed the teams and sponsors he previously rode for? Correct me if im wrong but the only one hes talked down about in any way is one person, Larry Brooks. Nothing but praise for Keith McCarty and Yamaha, Roger Decoster and Suzuki, etc.....
Towelie- your right about that he didn't talk bad about Roger, but he did talk bad about Suzuki for not keeping him. He did talk bad about Yamaha, but not Mcarty. And I will give you this that anyone that has had anything to do with Brooks has talked bad about him. It is well known that there is not very many people that have worked with Chad in the past that want to work with him in the future. I sure that has alot to do with why he has been forced to start his own team. Also if Roger thought Chad was a great guy to work with I'm sure he would have hired Chad over Short.
Like a moth drawn to a flame, I can't believe I'm allowing myself to get sucked in to all this drama. TWK, really? A reporter can only write about the information given to him/her? Like him or not, you have to respect Chad Reed for having the testicular fortitude to put his money where his mouth is. How many times have you heard someone say if they're not getting a ride they're hanging up their boots? Romer, CM221, Meicky, Towelie, and everyone else with positive, common sense comments +1. To Chad's detractors: until you're walked in his shoes, you have no right to make some of the comments you all make. Be glad there's one more championship contender out there for our amusement!
My bad, I accidentally reported TWK, sorry to all involved.
I'm glad to hear this from Reed himself. At least he cleared up a few things. I was not happy when I read the article in that newspaper. It sounds like the writer for the paper really wrote a few of his own words in there to try and spice up the article. I just hope he is 100% ready come Anaheim 1. Its what we all want.
Chad Reed's got balls. I have nothing but respect for him, good luck.
In Sx all the riders are pretty close in speed. It comes down to who's got the balls to do stuff the other riders arent. In this Case JS7 Mr crazy balls himself is in a class of his own followed by Rv. I mean RV also takes risk to get the job done just like stewie. Reedy only tries an obstacle after watching Bubba do it so yea Reedy will not do a tricky section unless JS does it 1st. JS and RV will take risks that might cost them a race or 2 allowing consistent Dungey to get the points lead and another possible championship.Betwenn the four guys RD,RV CR & JS only Dungey and Reedy are most consistent and 2011 you are gonna need to be consistent if you want to win. Starts will be key and JS&RD have those dialed in. Raw speed its JS &RV,keeping it on 2 wheels its RD&Reedy.
GOOD LUCK CHAD... I'LL BE ROOTING FOR U IN OAKLAND THIS YEAR...I KNOW FOR A FACT THAT CHAD CAN WIN RACES AND A CHAMPIANSHIP CAUSE HE'S HELLA FAST B**TCH*S....AND WHY RACE IN OAKLAND OVER SAN FRAN-WTF
go chad !!!
I hope for the sport this works out for him and he's able to challenge for the title.
dgizzy. Thank you for the in depth analisis. You have such amazing insight and knowledge, and the gift for pointing out the obvious.
I don't think you'll see Pourcel on his team, unless he is ready to get beat week in and week out by his employee. Glad to see him doing this though. Glad to see him out there at A1. Looking forward to finding out all the details of this. But I hope he can handle not winning anything and running at the back end of the top 5 a lot.
Well, if we've all learned anything watching SX the last few years, anything can happen and usually does happen. Reed is the most consistent rider through the years. If the field is as deep and talented as we think it will be, Stewy will need to push harder to win, which makes him accident prone, RV as well...so, I don't discount CR22 out at all. If he can run top 5, anything is possible.
I like the way the Honda looks with silver fenders, red's boring. Good luck to Reed, he's taking a huge chance on this one, he could run up front or totally bomb. we won't know til January. CAN'T WAIT!
I love it......people flaming this guy need to shut up, because at this point you just look stupid. Chad Reed will win races this season. The Reed haters seem to put him down no matter what he does even though he rarely ever lands off the podium in a moto, nevermind always being there in the title hunt. Once again, people beaking off about money. If you know anything about business, this is a big risk he is taking on his own dollar, sponsors or not, a motocross/supercross team will always be a risky investment. Funding for moto/SX is on the bottom of the list of priorities for large outside companies providing funds and everything can disappear in a heartbeat. One other thing to be said, him putting money and possibly bringing new sponsors (by the sounds of it) to this sport is only benefitting everyone who loves motocross and supercross and he should be treated with the utmost respect. Just because he's not a religious choir boy afraid to say what he wants doesn't make him a whiner, crybaby, or a**hole, it makes him real. I want to see this guy win the SX championship now for once again trying to bring this sport to the next level.
adding reed to this already fast mix of racers and its looking like a crazy year! i just may have to peel my butt off the couch and big screen and head to A1
Few articles get this much attention/posting, which proves a point. SX needs him. A rider will have to be fast & consistent (AND healthy) to surpass this talent in points at the end of the season. I don't care who you are, that's no easy feat. A champion is defined by his compet*tion and having Reed on the gate raises the bar. Pourcel's people better sign him to something STAT! or book him a flight back to Il Francais. I wonder if he's pissed his people haven't gotten him a deal yet???
This is about the 3rd time in the past couple of years that Chad has said that, while giving an interview in Australia, he was "misquoted" or the reporter "misinterpreted" what he said. I am starting to think that he just keeps making excuses. Personally, I like Chad the racer, but Chad the person is just full of excuses ALL the time. Chad's a phony. He should just be what he is, which is a grumpy guy, and quit trying to make fans. I dont know who is more fake: Bubbles or "Skippy"
Chad is in- SWEET! Worried about Pourcel, have a feeling that his health might be a concern for him. He rides but it looks like it hurts. I would not be surprised if Pourcel retires early.
I have just changed my opinion of Chad Reed. he is doing this himself, for himself. Wow, in the past it has always been someone elses fault if he did not win. The bikes, parts, sickness, you name it. He is like a Williams sister, just in motocross not tennis. This changes everything in my opinion, He will do great, or be gone before the east coast rounds start.
This is the beginning of the end for Reed. I'm not a hater, I have pulled for him in the past.
Not a hater, and not a sycophant either. I'm glad to see this interview come out and set things straight. seems that this happens with Chad quite a lot. Things stir up, get overblown, and then he finally comes forward and sets the facts straight and makes the nonsense seem even more outrageous and us feel dumb for buying into the rumors and hype. Glad to see that Chad is in the mix. this new team of his looks kind of cool and I'm curious to see the rest of the deal. But what I'm really happy about is that the garbage has been taken out and we now have the facts. Lets get to racing!
Chad should offer Pourcel a ride.
no matter what people say about the guy, i think he is one of the most repectable guys in the sport of supercross. he has done so much and brought so much into the industry. he thinks outside the box and brings his business skills in along with his talent on a motorcycle. I am glad to see someone try something like this, especially at time like this where maybe the sport is looking for a change. I can see this going well and if it does i can see a chain reaction of this. Overall chad is an incredible guy and one of the only riders who i can see actually has true heart for the sport and is willing to do extremely risky things in order to benefit the industry. good luck chad i got faith in you!
All the Reed haters castigating Chad for the Australian newspaper reports need to come out of their insular world and understand what the British-style tabloid press is like. If you believe even 10% of what is printed in an Australian tabloid or broadsheet newspaper you are advertising your own lack of intelligence. I can understand the anti-Reed sentiment in the US, a country where individualism and anything other than total compliance with social norms is often seen as improper. The public crucification of JLaw comes to mind. Chad may have his character flaws but, being an Aussie, he doesn't try to hide them. He's honest to others and himself , sometimes at the expense of getting people off-side. It's one of the few differences between Australian and US culture. Whatever one thinks of Chad, any true fan of SX would welcome him to the series with open arms. Very few international riders would have the guts to do what he is attempting to do, even the haters would have to respect his committment.