5 Minutes With... Chad Reed
Thursday, January 20, 2011 | 10:35 AM
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It’s all new for Chad Reed this year; a new team, a new bike and newfound challenges. Reed, who’s now tied for third in the all-time SX win list with Phoenix winner James Stewart, came into the opening round feeling confident about his machine and pace, but in the end his fifth looked much better on paper than it was on the track. The Two Two had work to do and not a lot of time to do it in. In Phoenix, his practice didn’t go so well but in the main event he charged hard, made a few passes (including one on defending champion Ryan Dungey) and ended up one spot better than last week. His fourth was probably the opposite of last week where you had to be there to appreciate his ride. In fact, e was closing in on Trey Canard at one point. Although he has more work to do, I caught up to him after the race to find out where he stands.
Racer X: Hey Chad, good ride at Phoenix. That’s more like it, huh?
Chad Reed: Getting there. Not quite where I want to be yet, but I learned a lot last week and we worked on things this week. As a matter of fact, we were working on things even today. You know, I didn’t feel like I looked as bad as my times were in practice (Reed qualified eleventh) so I had a good feeling going into tonight. I got jacked on every one of my fast laps and wasn’t able to lay it down out there. We made some suspension changes also, but at the same time it doesn’t feel good to be eleventh. I just never got a clean lap when the track was its best. Can you talk to the AMA? I don’t like those free practices, why do they have those anyways?
Because if you go out there and have a bike problem, you can get it fixed and not lose a whole timed practice.
Yeah, I guess, but I think it’s a waste of time. Maybe they should give the privateers…wait, am I not a privateer?
No you’re not.
Why not?
Because you’re not. I don’t have enough time to list all the reasons.
I buy everything on my bike, so just because I am well enough off and can buy a semi and all that, I’m not a privateer?
Reed is a privateer this year, for the first time in a long time.
Photo: Simon Cudby
Fine. You’re a privateer then. In the main event, you were coming through the pack and actually catching Trey Canard; were you marking your progress?
Oh yeah, I could see him and I could also see that (Ryan) Dungey was behind me also, but with the way the track was, I knew he wasn’t going to get by me. Every time I hit a lap decent and didn't get caught with lappers, I would pull him. I was watching Trey and I was hoping he would have some problems with a lapper or he would try to pick it up and wash his front end out or whatever [laughs]. No, but I felt good. I felt like I was in the battle the whole time, not the battle that I want to be in yet, but a battle anyways. It was so much better than last week when I was just riding out there alone and there was all this hype for the first race and there was no racing going on!
I think the Dirt Wurx guys did a fantastic job with the track and finishing it. It’s Phoenix, what are you going to do? You know the track will dry out. I don’t like the fact that there wasn’t any passing spots out there. Overall, they are doing a great job and it was a good weekend. We learned some things last week and put them into play this week and it helped out. We’ll continue to learn as we go and continue to try and get better. We have some great plans that Mitch (Payton) and Bones (Bacon) are putting together, some new exciting people to work with and it should be great.
Did you see Dungey and (Justin) Brayton hit in the air over the triple when they both passed you?
No, I didn’t. That sounds sketchy, that was one of the reasons why I didn’t go for the triple. It was a little sketch and I saw (Ken) Roczen come up short and that didn’t look like fun. Yeah, both of those guys got by me right then and then I got them back the next lap which was cool. You had to be patient yet you had to be aggressive. It was a weird deal.
One of the things that made me think you were on your game was the fact that near the end of the race, you were still jumping that triple onto the tabletop where others had stopped doing it completely.
I felt that as the race went on, it was coming back to me. I don’t know why I felt like that because I raced in November and it wasn’t that long ago. Yeah, it was Australia, but it still was good. I don’t know why I’m having trouble getting into the race pace so far this year. I’ve been in some race environments! But then you look at RV and James and they’ve been out of it longer than me, so I don’t know, maybe I’m just being a pussy or whatever. I’m starting to get back into it. I liked the sand, though. If you’re going to make a one-line track then make it all sand.
I would say that my weakness as a rider over my whole career is riding on racetracks that were like tonight where you’re racing for a tenth here or there. I like tracks that are more wide open. My eyes would just light up every time I came around to that sand section.
Reed is getting more and more comfortable on the Honda.
Photo: Simon Cudby
I thought your bike looked soft last week. Did you stiffen it up or am I wrong?
Honestly, we didn’t make a whole lot of changes. We had a little stiffer front fork, not a lot. I think last week I rode horrible and I didn’t do it justice. We found some things this week, a shock part that we were previously using and we tried it and found some results…
A shock shaft? Where we going with this?
A spring, actually. A titanium spring from a different company. Really surprised, I would have bet my house that we made more changes than just putting a spring on, it was that much better. We didn’t get crazy this week, there was no panic. I knew that I was OK and you don’t spend the last three months training and riding to just throw it away at the first race. We’re trying to make the learning curve as short as possible. The people that I’m going to work with this week are going to make it interesting and we’ll get out to the Honda track and work with those guys. I’ll get out there with Trey (Canard) and the boys. I think he’s a good kid, he’s focused and going for the same goal I am. It’s nice to have that kind of mentality out at the track. So we’ll get out there and battle and do some starts together and try to get those better and battle for podiums and race wins.
I haven’t gotten too much into it, but tonight there was a lot of talk about traction control devices and data acquisition devices on the bikes. What’s your take on all that?
I personally think the AMA should do what they did with road racing and just allow it. I can tell you that every race team I’ve been on has had it to a certain extent and it’s not illegal. I heard that L&M had wheel sensors or something like that and I’m not sure if that’s legal or not. I’m a privateer and I have assistance and I’m a privateer. GET sells it as a kit, it’s available to everyone. You can buy it. Your stock bike has it in its ignition, and ever since Suzuki I’ve had all that stuff available. The sensors on the wheels make me nervous though, and that’s traction control. You’re pulling from the front wheel to the rear wheel and that’s traction control and isn’t right. I looked at Stewart’s bike and didn’t see any sensors. Ellie said she was watching live TV tonight and RC was saying something about it.
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Wow, Reed seems to be having more fun than past seasons and I like how open and honest he was in this interview. In fact, there's a lot of good sportsmanship going on out there, I don't see any of that competitive hatred between the riders. (except for Alessi vs Grant)
Looks like chad and carmichel are on the same diet lol
Very good interview with Reed. I figured every top team has some form or another of traction control. IMO it is nothing new, and its just another topic around the world of motocross. Why not look for an edge up on the competition? Also racing is 10% bike and 90% rider. Put any top rider on my bike in the garage, and I would be amazed at what they could do. I look forward to seeing Reed jump back into the mix for race wins. When he gets comfortable it will be exciting to see.
Practice smacktus,,,, Who cares who wins practice, why is it called practice? Cause ya wanna find out the track and setups. Last year at the Nationals Pourcel quit trying to win practice, hey why waste the energy. It is just a bit for bragging rights and makes some talk for the shows.
Chad & Trey need top 5 starts to run with James & Villopoto....I think anyways. If that happens we might see some good racing for a change.
I knew he wasn't riding his "race pace" yet. Come on Reed, step it up!
@richards211, you forgot the Tedesco vs. Stewart ordeal hahaha but other than those you hit it right on the nail.
Is it just me or did this interview end pre-maturely? It looks as if Reed had more to say about TC and Matthes cut it out.
I hope somone steps up, CR, TC, RD lets have a nice 5 guy battle for the win for 20 laps.
When 22 starts sounding like this in interviews - honest and not complaining - and admitting what is lacking in his own program as opposed to others'......watch out. I'm not a big 22 fan but Mrs. Ellie Reed is going to start nailing podiums every week.
Uh, I mean Mr. Chad Reed is going to start getting podiums every week.
I wonder where all there "there is no traction control" people went......Now that Chad Reed has pulled back the curtain, we know every team has been or is using it.......Every team.......every team.........did I mention every team has been or is using it? I couldn't care less if it was james stewart or martha stewart using it, traction control is being used. Hello AMA, in all of your impotence, what ever will you do???? I have a wildly unpopular opinion, bring back the claiming rule.
Reed is da man! I think he has matured a lot and is a much better person. It's good to see that he is moving forward no matter what and the is nothing that can stop him. I believe that if he stays close to Mitch and Bones, he will be on that box every race! I like PC, I like Honda, I like Reed!
Chad read is aclass act and the Only Pro AFTER DAMON BRADSHAW to so honest and tell the factories to roll up there rules and politics and pound it up ther.... Great job chad FASTEST PRIVATEER ON EARTH.. yes i am an AMERICAN.
Well, I have to be honest, I thought Chad was going to come out with a bunch of excuses but he didn't. He has matured and is doing the right thing by accepting his weaknesses and working on them to be better. This can only mean many podiums this season.
Just mor excuses from Reed. Now its because hes a privateer and cant get the factory parts and has ben off the bike for awhile. Look at the past, he has never started out a SX season prepared.. Just ask RC.
This is a great interview. I have never liked Reed, when he first came to the states he was real*****y. But this year Reed seems to have made a major change in several areas. You have to give alot of credit to someone who steps up like Reed has this year. He could have got on the ban wagon like everyone else and bashed JS but he came clean and told the truth that all teams are using TC. I am becoming a fan of Reed.
mxmofo, you found an excuse in that interview? Good for you. You've found out how to use both hands to pull crap out of your @ss.
Acejas That is one of the funniest things I ever read on here!!! LMFAO!!! and TRUE TOO!!!
""Every time I hit a lap decent and didn't get caught with lappers, I would pull him."" Ahhhhh,, everyone has to deal with lappers..... ""I got jacked on every one of my fast laps and wasnâ
acejas,,, by the way, you sound like you are very mature ....
4th is the best Reed will do. He will soon pack his bags and go home down under.
I too have not been a big fan of #22 in the past....but this year it's hard not to root for him....plus, one of my boys from back in the day is his mechanic, so I have to by default. But in all honesty, Chad seems to have done some soul searching and isnt making any excuses...he knows its all up to him and his team....so we'll see. I still have to go with RV2 for the championship.....but would like Reed to pull this off too.
Reed keeps talking on how he got by Dungey. I can't argue that, but Dungey and Windham were hit by a lapped rider and Reed was there to capitalize. The battle is between JS7 and RV2. TC41 and RD5 with compete for 3rd and CR22 with struggle to get podiums. The Phoenix dirt made everyone ride conservative... A1 was more accurate on how the season will go.
I have alot of respect for what he did with his team. If he isnt riding outdoors, it would be a perfect spot for Pourcel to ride.
mxmofo.........all he did is simply state what happened on the track, he wasn't complaining or making excuses at all. do you really think he's that bothered by his practice times after finishing 4th in the main? give your head a shake, he straight up said in the interview he's having a hard time getting on pace and also recognized that JS and RV have been out longer than him. no matter what 22 does the idiots come knocking on his door to chirp.
@mxmofo..If u call that a excuse then u would have to say every rider out there is full of excuses because i think i have herd a rider got in my way in practice from like ever single rider out there at least once if not more so i am just gonna guess your a Reed hater and no im not the biggest Reed fan but i ll go for him over Stewart any day
RIGHT ON CHAD, YOUR BAD ASS.KEEP KICK'N BUT AND GOD BLESS YA
He's made excuses why RC beat him, and why JS beats him. He would have won the SX hampionship in '03 and '05 if he would have been better prepared for the first half of those years. He was clearly faster than RC in the last half of those two years, but it was to late.. Practice times are important,, they determine your gate pick... He takes out other riders,,,, but dont take him out,, he will cry and whine about it for days..
Who is he referring to when he says "GET sells it as a kit, itâ
Spuer.... GET is the company who makes the alleged TC device that is on Stewart's bike. Chad is sponsored by the company as well. He has there logo on the side of his airbox.
http://www.getdata.it/prodotti.php?idprodotto=25&idcategoria=32&lang=eng this looks like the unit in question. ECU main functions: â
I like Chad and wish him a great season, but he was NOT gapping Dungey, I'd say the opposite after Ryan got around him, until the downed rider stopped him(RD). Bring on L.A.
ECU main functions: Set injection times and advance Set rev limiters Set throttle position derivative (power-jet) and injection phase Set injection and advance maps, gear by gear (with sensor only) Set quick shifter , cut-off times and time out Set start strategies Set all input and output parameters Aux. inputs for speed sensors (mandatory for traction and launch con- trol strategies) Input for map switch (switch is optional) CAN BUS line for connecting to data acquisition systems.
@mxmofo... you don't have to bring those JS & RC to the table just to prove you are correct. Read those f#ckin' lines again, and tell us which part did he whined to. It seems that you are more of a cry baby than him. You don't have to like CR22, but let's admit it, he has done more to the sports and we as a fan has to recognize that fact. Hats off to CR22 for putting all efforts (finances, time, family) for the love of the sport. He has enough $$$ in account to just sit in the couch with his wife and family. But he didn't. He funded his own team, put together a program to keep his racing spirits alive. And we all admire those stuffs, because in one way or another, we can relate to his situation right now. We spent our own $$$, time, efforts just to keep racing!!!
Starts are going to be very important this year, for all of the riders, especially if the tracks stay similar to how they have been. If everyone stays healthy I don't see anyone coming back from a 10th place start to win a race. And I personally think Reed will win at least a race this year.
Chad Reed beating a 2nd year Dungey who has never raced hard competition and hasn't proved anything in the class is hardly a surprise
Villopoto Has proved with no problems that Dungey can't touch him. Speed, starts, and being able to pass other rider are all things Villopoto has over Dungey. Dungey has never passed Villopoto or stewart and his lap time are always shit. Dungey fans are eating so much crow right now it's soo funny. You all will be eating crow all year. Enjoy the season you suckers of hype
GET has been big in Europe. They sponsor cairolli and I think they are an Italian company. They sell a bunch of stuff for bikes.
mx mofo have a read of this again... when people state the facts of something its NOT whineing Geez it must be hard to have a conversation in your house you would accuse everyone of whingeing get over your hatred for one of the best riders in the sport PERIOD.... ever heard the saying if u havent got anything good to say dont say anything at all .... go hard reedy keep chipping away .... more good racing to come with some better tracks/soil I hope everyone stays healthy
#1fan....your on drugs. Go away.
He's putting his money where his mouth is and he didn't sell out James one bit!! I tell you what; if he keeps this up, he's going to be selling Hondas!!
Hello...... all of you guys in denial about traction control, out of the mouth of one of the best comes a revelation.
Could chad reed be the first guy to win a championship and top privateer in the same year and class?? I sure hope so! Go get it chad!
I really hope that Ryan Dungey finds his speed anytime soon, he just needs to find his groove....Yeah Ryan, I know, easier said than done....
I find it funny how there is so many people out in la la land that know all this and that, but I have to say I have alot more respect for two two or whatever he wants to be know as, I think that's one of the first times EVER he didn't make an excuse or blame his result on someone/thing. his comment on not getting a clean lap is what it is. Honestly I think that ALOT of the people that are making these posts DON'T HAVE A CLUE what is going on I've been around top level racing both mx and roadracing and sometimes no matter how fast you can go if you can't get a clean lap you can't put down the time. sure his practice time were not there but his race times were.
even though chad was not in the podium last week... im still a believer.... two two is still the best...
He can't complan its his team, He makes ALL the choises so he can't .
CHad is the biggest whiner i have ever seen... I never have seen any other people complain about practices but there is chad, wanmting AMA to change the practices to suit his needs...he needs to grow up and get that two-two off
Bryan, I think that was a little bit of sarcasm or just an off-hand remark. I highly doubt he actually expects/wants them to change the format over one night he couldn't get a clean lap in practice.
I honestly think I have heard Stewie make more excuses when he loses than Reed ever has. Stewie always blamed his bike, or setup or something. I think Reed is doing just fine by his interview here. If what he said here is an excuse by some of you guys, then every rider in existance is a whiner.
mxmofo - might want to check some facts about Reed being a slow starter - he won A1 in 2003, 2004 and 2008, and in 2005 came 2nd to JS but beat RC.
ando- ever noticed the only time reed ever won was when JS and RC werent there?
Bryon, your wrong. Reed beat RC 6 supercross races in a row at one point. Did Stewie ever do that? NO!!! So what now??
Yeah but if you remember, Carmichael was in his championship mode, where he only had to take second, the only one who could keep up with them was Fonseca.
laa verdad que a chad reed no le quedan marcas por recorrer...es un vendedido con solo irse de yamaha ya me desoluciono..no aguanto ni un año en kawa... se me esta llendo un idolo como reed:(
yo my names zac. your the best rider ever you inspired me to ride dirt bikes.the first time i saw you on tv i had to ride dirt bikes because the way you ride is like your racing for the world.your the best
fan for life 22 my fav number