Between The Motos: Chad Reed
Thursday, January 19, 2012 | 9:35 AM
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Chad Reed is the all-time career leader in AMA Supercross podium finishes, so anytime he doesn’t finish on the podium, it’s worth a look. Matthes found Chad after Phoenix to ask about his race for this week’s Between the Motos.
Racer X: What did you think?
Chad Reed: Kinda wasn’t good. I felt like for the most part it was positive results on paper. It totally blew as far as my heat result and my main result. But for the most part what we worked on this week was better. We learned some things throughout the day, both negative and positive. I think we collected everything we needed to collect and we’ll sift through it this week and try to make some changes. But for the most part, we rode better this weekend than we did last weekend, but the result’s were not as good. It’s one of those when you’re in the right place at the right time, good things happen and when you’re in the wrong place at the wrong time, you just run into some trouble and it’s not as easy or as smooth as you’d want it.
It was a tough night for Reed in Phoenix, but he's hoping to bounce back in L.A.
Photo: Andrew Fredrickson
For you, a guy who doesn’t make very many mistakes and is a very precise rider, I saw you making some mistakes in turns and kinda get loose and sideways and clip stuff. Do you agree with that?
Yeah. My heat race, for four laps, I felt like it was good. I went forward and I was charging. I don’t want to say I made a mistake because we had some issues and I lost the front, which resulted with me upside down. The good thing that came out of that is that we kind of figured out something that’s going on bike-wise. We had an issue this week during testing and it raised its ugly face in the heat race. It’s nice to get those out of the way and figure them out before the season gets too deep. Mistakes come from frustration and trying to make things happen. It’s always slick in Phoenix and, honestly, I just found myself in the wrong place at the wrong time every time. It was pretty sketchy. Like everybody I came up on was riding hard. And instead of me racing hard and charging forward and putting myself in the right position, I just felt like I found myself in the wrong place. I was just a passenger myself at that point. I should’ve done what RV did, just bulldoze through them and get after Kevin [Windham].
Considering where you were at one point, getting by Metty [Brett Metcalfe], [Andrew] Short, and [Trey] Canard, it wasn’t a bad result.
Honestly, it was just a bad main event for me and it resulted in a fifth. So you’re gonna have to be in the top five –- I would’ve like to have said you’d have to be in the top three every weekend, but I’ll have to readjust that now. Hopefully that’s a one-time thing and we can continue to be on the podium. It was a track where you needed a good start, you saw it with Dunge [Ryan Dungey], just get out front. It was probably the easiest race of his life. I just need to practice starts this week and get out front.
Reed sits seven points back of the Ryans after two rounds.
Photo: Andrew Fredrickson
Thoughts on the track itself? You like it? Much better? I mean, it was slippery, we all know that. But better?
It was slippery, but I think for the most part it was actually pretty decent for what we’re used to. Considering that they opened up the roof during the night show, it never got to its blown out, dusty self that we’re used to here in Phoenix. I think for the most part, as hard as I was on the track design last week, I felt like this week it was enjoyable, it was fun. The whoops were easy, but they were there. They were more difficult than last week. So, at this point, small baby steps and I praise them for the step that they took this week. Probably, more than anything, because of the track prep and they kept up with the watering and everything like that. So we’ll see what next week brings.
Leaving the dome closed helped, I think, most of the day.
Yeah, I think that that’s key. We’ve always, it seems like, had kind of muddy conditions for the first practice and then they open it up in the second practice. And then this weekend they maintained keeping that thing closed until it was dark. It was dry tonight, but I think the temperatures were cooler, so I think the moisture stayed in the track. It was good. I actually feel like I rode great here and there and, like I said, it was a step forward in a lot of ways, but the result wasn’t as good. Good days and bad days.
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I actually look forward to reading his interviews now. I was a CR hater a few years ago, but now I like his honesty. Good job this year.
Well said Lucky7. I like how he jacks with Stewart every chance he gets. No easy passes.
Indeed Beancayon....It seems whenever those two meet up on the track the tension arises and both guys seem to focus on one another more than they should...In PHX, James didnt seem to have much of a problem passing Reed and pulling away.... The pass over the finish line in the main (see James GoPro) was knarly....The Heat race passes were not too shabby either... I also notice that Reed likes to line up next to James on the gate...Sometimes I wonder if that is all he is worried about...beating James Stewart.....
Well Reed backs up what I have said many times. Some on here just look at how the guys finish. If a Guy got 2nd thats all they see and if someone says they did not look that good people go nuts on them and say HE GOT 2nd bla bla bla. But right here Reed said he did not ride well but got 2nd. Thats why I laugh when people say I am crazy.
"" I don’t want to say I made a mistake because we had some issues and I lost the front, which resulted with me upside down. ""
It's a good thing JS didn't say that. The HATERS would be all over that statement like flys on a rib-roast...
You can always count on Honesty with Chad, He tells it like it is, None of that excuse bullcrap, blame this blame that, my nose is running wha wha.......
Go 22
I love his honesty, @MXmofo, Reed never professed his dominance like your guy Stewart. "FMOTP" crap. so when he makes a statement like that, It seems genuine. @BillC nailed it. He doesn't sugar-coat his results.
@bigtireguy,, Thats because Reed NEVER had "dominance."
Why is it that every time one of these guys makes a mistake it's the result of bad bike set up? Are you racing hard? Are you pushing yourself and the bike? Nope, he lost the front end and it was the bikes fault....
Chad Reed is the man. Dude is just real and legit. Its no duh that him KW and Wey are fan fav's. Guys are just the Real Deal.
Chad Reed is the man. Dude is just real and legit. Its no duh that him KW and Wey are fan fav's. Guys are just the Real Deal.
@MXmofo, his career stats speak for themselves. His class is what escapes you.
@ bigtireguy, I agree his stats are great,, but he has NEVER had "dominance." My point is, Reed can say things that JS can't. comprendo ? Maybe if he would spend a little more time on bike set-up at the beginning of every year instead of being on Twiiter, he would be more prepared.
Killomoto your right he does always start next JS7 is it posible the he wants to keep is enemy's close?
***NEWS FLASH***James "BUBBA" Stewarts first interview since training with Mr. Motorcross! Mr.Mx. So bubba,what have you learned from Mr.Motorcross this week? A. I've learned that a 2-stroke is faster than a 4-stroke,that I dont crash as much on a 2-stroke,that it does'nt hurt as bad if I do crash a 2-stroke,that the girls love 2-strokes,that 2-strokes smell better than 4-strokes,that 2-strokes are lighter than 4-strokes,that 2-strokes are alot cheaper than 4-strokes not that i care,2-strokes sound really cool...... Mr.Mx. So why are you racing 4-strokes? A. Im starting to think we've all been brain washed. Mr.Mx. Fact you have all been brain washed "suckers"
mxmofo............you left out the part where he explained himself entirely and basically said they learned from it and it gave a positive direction for bike setup. We don't hear an excuse every time he rides either.
@ Retardcross, OK, so what has JS's excuse been ?
Reed is not just a rider anymore. He's an owner, a father, and a husband. Im sure he's spending all the time he possible can on his bike. But for him it's not all about the bike anymore it's about making appearances and getting his sponsers and team name out there. He can't just show up at the track every week and point out little things that may be wrong with the bike as he did in the past. Much more responsibility and pressure and this is why other riders who tried to start they're own team where unsuccessful...,,,,,,,,,,,,anyway we'll see what happens at the ravine this weekend....hope its not a mudder....
Good posts all for the most part. Yes chad tell it the way it is and it makes sense. Now @ RUEZ@, I wanna say as I just said in an earlier post unless you ride at the even close to the top level even 1 lb of air pressure can chance the bike. @BillC no you are not crazy you are nuts lol there is a big difference. that was a very good statement I was gonna say somthing to that effect also. I think Reed is a pretty smart dood. Not many could race and run a team at the same time. Yes he did a good job of getting the right people.
LETS RACE!! Rain or shine it all the thare that counts.
***BREAKING NEWS***Chad Reed says "I feel James bobbles Stewart has an unfair advantage since he became buddies with Mr. Motorcross,I now take #7 as a serious threat for the win this weekend,its just not fair! "
Where do we start mxmofo? Bike, tires, sick, his poor conditioning being blamed on the best trainer in the world for MX that he fired, no explanations for anything, I'm sure you can continue the list for me even. As far as the twitter comment goes......are you really gunna bust that out while trying to defend JS the TV star who's had what everyone is calling a "sub-par" bike for the past few years while he's been more concerned about his TV show and screwing the dog all summer long?
PS: Just checked out the track map ie, the red arrow race. I think it wil be a prettery good track and for those of you that complained about no "hoops" imitating RC. I think there will be plenty of them in that sand section that makes it more chalenging. There are plenty of jump combinations also. We wont know till race day what the lap times will be rain or shine that should be a good track. I also see a lot of places to make a mistake and lose time.
@ Retardcross,, If you look back, and do your homework, JS wasn't the only rider that was sick at PHX.. " Bikes, tires" --- isnt that bike set-up that Reed was referring to ??? Also, who said I'm trying to "defend" JS ? You know as well as I do that if JS made that statement that Reed did, there would be a million posts from the haters bashing him for making excuses, and you know it... Another FACT is, Reed always, and I mean ALWAYS starts of the SX season un-prepaerd. Its a fact.. He prpbably would have beaten RC in a couple season if he was prepared,, like RC was.
However, I do agree with you that his fitness may not be were it needs to be.
@mxmofo, I do comprendo, he is able to say things JS7 can't because he isn't a tool like Bubbles. Plus, owning, racing and doing what he has, along with the family stuff, you look at his results, i'm pretty sure they blow JS7 out of the water. right?
that makes him ALOT more prepared than bubbles.
@ bigtireguy, He's been a Team Owner for a little over one year !! Big deal... It seems like thats the new excuse for Reed Fans. So now JS is a "tool" ? How many Championships does JS have compared to Reed ?? Refresh my memory, please ??
@ Retardcross,, I'll do some of your homework for you.. This is in "Surprises from PHX" ---
Sickness:
Something was going around in Phoenix and it wasn’t good luck. Stewart, Dean Wilson, and Ryan Morais were all feeling the effects of illness. Morais failed to qualify, Stewart finished in eighth, yet Wilson was able to successfully fight through it for a race win. With a result like that, maybe Wilson should show up under the weather for the remainder of the season. Now that would be a surprise.
I guess the "sickness" excuse works for everyone one but JS, huh ?? I also heard Brayton was not feeling well..
@mofo, JS7 does have more titles, I'll give you that. How is that going for him? Last year he struggled, and he is off this year also. as far as being sick, that sucks for him, but Wilson did make it work for him, so that kinda blows that out right? You did say Bubbles has more titles, and i'm sure he has more than wilson too.....
i didnt hear Wilson complain about being sick......oh yeah won
@bigtireguy,, Oh, I see,, since Wilson won being sick, JS should have won also... hahahaha,, you kill me.....
mofo Maybe if JS7 could get himself off the line and throughthe first turn he could get himself on pace with the Ryans. Look at the good futune RD5 had last weekend, and RV1 the week before. Sick isn't a excuse if they get on the line there ready to go for it.
@JaminGeorge, I agree, his starts have been awful. I dont think JS was making an excuse for being sick,, but I'm pretty sure if a rider is sick, but still able to ride, they will do so. It would be pretty stupid not to ride and miss out on a possible 25 points..
Double standards rule!!! Lots of riders are husbands and have families out there....RC had a wifey and kids and still won blethora of titles.....Reed has more guys under his tent to assist one rider than the most teams have for 2 or 3 riders....Most of the guys that have a wife and kids dont parade them around like Reed does either....Never seen that before, is it for attention or what??...I the past, the occasional shot of K-Dubs lady here and there would pop up, or maybe the "behind the scenes" type stuff......but i dont recall seeing RC's kids at press conferences and track walks ....that could be a distraction in itself....
mofo Don't worry he'll get better! See even I've stopped the JS7 bashing since he stopped crashing on other riders, so you see there's improvement.
@JaminGeorge,, hahahaha,, there is no dought, he can be reckless.
KilloMoto RC did not have Kids till the night before his last SX I believe.
OK Welker I am NUTS I can work with that!!OL
mofo Some times you have to be reckless. But in his case it doesn't pay off.
I had a thought! Maybe his time off last summer has been because of the Daytona crash it looked like he got his bell rung pretty good sometimes its best to take it easy and let the brain heal I know there wasn't any talk about it but it could be true. And that why he's off to a slow start.
BillC I think we're all working with that!
Mofo, I do agree the sickness might have hindered stewart, and he seems to have learned throttle control more over last year, dude just needs to start racing mains like he does heats. @killa, i have noticed Chads family around more than the other guys, Thats his choice, And I guess it could be a distraction, but he is having a pretty good start this year over last.
@ bigtireguy,, I agree. He does well in the heat races. In the mains, I beleive his fitness could be a little off, like I stated earlier.
.... and his horrible starts..
For a minute I thought this comment section was about Reed but obviously its about JS7. I hope him and Reed crash into each other all nite long then RV1 can 'bulldoze' a win by a lap. Reed chooses to run his own team if its hard thats his problem. .....I like 22 and 7 but there biggest problem is not each other ...its green with a big 1 on the front. The Yamaha is starting to work , 22 needs to up anchor and make this a 4 way contest. GoRV1 GoCanard GoSeely.
"we rode better this weekend than we did last weekend" We?
" We"...its a team effort....or Reed has multi personality, which would explain somethings....HAAHAHA
There's no double standard Killimoto...none of those guys your referring to that "all have family and kids too" also ran they're own business at the same time. Someone commented on Reed mentioning he was not prepared for the season and i pointed out his numerous "new" responsiblities......i dont have to be a fan of Reed to know these reasons i mentioned would have an effect on any rider getting ready for a season.
@sleestak,, If your last sentence is true, I guess Reed made a mistake making his own team ? Fact is, Reed has always taken half the SX season to get going. Just ask RC...
btw...him having his family around the track all the time now.....thats just him having all the perks he wants cause he "owns" the team ! He doesnt have to listen to a team manager tell him he has a curfew or that his family is a distraction anymore....it is what it is.
Looks like maybe he's lost the eye of the tiger. Put on a few pounds as well. Must be tough to line up hungry year after year especially with a new little redhead destroying the track again. I hope he gets his mojo back quick. Go Reed!
just ask RC?.......look not sure of the years but going back when Reed and DV got points taken away for gas he lost the championship on those points alone if you go back and research you will see that he lost that year but because those points where deducted........he finished second to RC that year.....the very next season RC too got "fined for illegal gas" however he decided to wine to the AMA and threaten to not race the rest of the season and in return the AMA decided NOT to fine him cause it would basically ruin the season .........Reed got jobbed on that deal and alot of people forget that would of been 2 years in row beating RC but reed kept his mouth shut.
i didnt mean fine i meant take points from him. He threatened to not race the rest of the series cause had he gotten those points taken at that time it would of handed the championship to Reed........there is a classic double standard there...
@sleestak,, hahahahaha,, thats the funniest thing I have ever heard.. I think you need to go back and do a little research. RC missed the '04 SX season with a knee injury when Reed got nailed for that. In 0'3 and '05, RC beat Reed straight up..
in '06, RC and JS left Reed in a distant 3rd....
mxmofo1: You keep saying "Reed has never dominated" I guess you have never watched him outdoors last year when he gave RD and RV a whipping have you? If it was not for his spooky crash, he would have had the title. He has his ups and downs like everyone else, but he is one tough dude that you can never count out. Whenever he is behind, he always finds some way to turn things around and give a charge.
as i said not sure of the years you mofo......keep researching then. i see your not debating the fact RC complained about having points taken and threaten to not finish the series right ? Then he got his way right, there is no debating that cause it's fact...
@klrman123,, Reed has NEVER "dominated". There is a BIG difference between winning some races and DOMINATING... He has never beat RC, JS, RV and RD for a championship,, has he ????? I am also hearing A LOT of excuses from Reed Fans... hahahaha.
@sleestak,, ... and you think I need to do research ? hahahaha..
@ sleestak,, Thats how Reed wins his championships.. He just hopes and prays something happens to RC, JS, RD and RV..
Why are so many of you hung on up "domination" as if that is the end-all-be-all standard that riders must live up to? I've seen days where Reed is untouchable, just like I've seen days where RV, Dungey, and Stewart are untouchable. But the fact of the matter is that there are X number of races in a series and whoever gathers the most points at the end is the champion. You can't discredit Reed's titles because RC or Stewart were injured, just like you can''t discredit RV's titles because Dungey had a derailed chain or ran out of gas. You race the series as a whole, and at the end of it all, the best team comes out on top. In 2010 it was Dungey, in 2011 it was RV, and so on. All of these what-ifs are interesting and make for great bench racing, but they only hold so much weight. A lot of people say that Dungey would have won the 2011 450 Nats had he not ran out of gas. I'm inclined to agree, but who's to say that RV would not have poured it on a little more because he was behind? Truth of the matter is, Dungey caught back up and was within 1 point of RV and RV turned it up a notch and opened the gap again. So we can bench race with the "what-ifs" and that's fine, but when I hear people discrediting guys like Reed and say he has not dominated, or Dungey gets lucky or whatever the case may be, it irks me. It's not very respectable to any of these athletes who are all world-class athletes in my opinion. You can say Reed has not dominated all you want, but his win list is pretty darn impressive if you ask me. OK, sorry, rant over. :)
Sleestak - What I meant by double standard was not regarding the family stuff..... I was commenting on the double standard of what Reed can say which is him being honest and if James says the same thing its an excuse.....The family deal is his decision for sure...just never seen any of the guys pimp them out as much...
@KilloMoto,, you said ----- " I was commenting on the double standard of what Reed can say which is him being honest and if James says the same thing its an excuse..."
Thats my whole point... I totally agree....
What are we excusing mofo..........he finished 2nd in the 1st race of the year....i dont think anyone needs to make excuses for him he's doing just fine...?
Mxmofo...you need to get a job and stop complaining, why too much time on your hands. Wow.
@br411,, I got a job, it just happens to be a good one.. Since you know me so well, thanks for your concern..
@sleestak,, You may want to read some of your posts to refresh your memory.. Illegal gas ring a bell ??
yah i hear ya Killimoto...yah i dont know where all the hate comes from for Stewie...he's no different then the Hurricane in my opinion. Arrogant, confident, not afraid of sharing his opinion regardless of who he defends. Yet we all loved him and quite frankly its good for the sport. I would say the same for Alessi.....when he first came into being a pro......he was asked a bunch of questions by a reporter and he responded with cofidence in saying what his plans where. Fans took those comments and ran with them saying he was a fool and all the guy was doing was answering questions that were asked to him.....it's irrelevant now cause he's not a contendor on either series now but just saying i think the hatred for some of these riders is baseless.
I dont have a dog in this pony show, but mxmofo is an idiot. How long have you owned your SX team mxmofo? Did your results stay consistent your first year being a team owner? What all is involved in owning and running a race team mxmofo?
You said it was not a big deal being an owner, so i figured i'd ask the expert before i try and start my own...
yes i know points were deducted for illegal gas. Reed LOST 25 points. Ricky too got caught with illegal gas but instead of taking the point deduction he threatened to sit the rest of the series cause at that point he would NOT have a chance at the championship and he got his way. They did NOT deduct points for RC and if they did Reed would of won that year which ever year it was......
@sleestak,, I actually agree with you.. However, the Alessi deal is a little different. When he turned Pro at Millville, I think in '04,, they whole crew wore "believe the hype" t-shirts.. I was there. It didnt go over well.. Also, Tony is the real problem there, not so much Mike.
ahhhhh it's in the past anyway....im just trying to make a point, and to infer RC had his way with Reed in "supercross" is simply not true. Now outdoors is a different story......RC all day all the time. No argument there.
yep mxmofo saw those shirts too here at Glen Helen. Yah i guess thats pretty arrogant but to hate the kid for it i just dont get?
If Mike is hated, it's because of his dad.
800 was basically asked what his plans where when he goes Pro ?......he responded....he said he planned on beating Mcgrath in his first pro outdoor race which was in Victorville cali just a month or so before the ama outdoor national opener at Hangtown 2004 i believe. Then he stated he "planned on beating bubba" in one of his first 2 ama outdoor races however when he got the chance to finally face him his first year if you remember he decided to ride the 450 bike instead of going to lites class first. So that started all the talk of him ducking Stewie and so on........how the hell am i remembering this...? Anyway luv this crap .......
oh yeah for sure Tony A. is the problem in that camp.....agree with you there for sure...
RC had his way with Reed indoors and out, Count the title, Ya could even say Reed was RC Beotch!!
bar to bar 2003
@sleestak,, and in '05.. Thats my point.. Reed came into those two years unprepared, and RC got the upper hand.. Towards the end of both of those years, I think Reed was faster, but it was to late..
OK now I, WE need to get DC,Jason, Mathes or someone on the Racer X team to Award the bench racer of the year at the end of the year with all of the comments. Ya all are good now , "in my best Larry Huffins voice "he is on him like a dog after a peice of meat" Now back to the regualaly scheduled races....
LETS RACE!!!
These boards are a joke!! Reed says he didn't make a mistake and evrybody finds a reason why that is ok, and claims he backed it up with an explanation.....F that, i am now convinced that 80 percent of the dill-holes who post on here are anti James Stewart and that no matter what he does they will criticize it, if somebody else does the same thing they will defend it.....a joke and a waste of time.......you know who you are....douchebags!!
@BillC Dude, ok, we get, you think you know everything. Any time a rider says anything in an interview you agree with, you try to point out that it's also your viewpoint to make yourself look smart, but when someone disagrees with you, you just say they're stupid. Get over yourself man and STFU. By the way genius, Reed got fifth, not second.
You know whats awesome, Reeds been in the Supercross class 10 seasons & is still at the top. Thats awesome!
Bravo, bravo brilliant! You guys are awesome. Well I gotta go take a dump,
Some of you guys need to stop typing dumb fantasy motocross stats on your computers, and go riding. Seriously. Like, go outside and prep your bike right now, then call in to work that you are sick. Do it, and stop sounding like 12 year olds comparing Pamela Anderson to Angelina Jolie...
@VOR--why dont you tell us how you really feel. Dont take it so personally, unless you are a die hard Stewtard--LOL!!
@BillC. Yes RC handled Reed all those years, but he actually had more Success against Stewart, Reed did beat RC 6 Supercross races in a row to end a season one year. RC still took the title, but Reed had his number for those final races, Stewart never did that. So Reed wasnt anyones Beotch that supercross season..
Daggeroony.... Not that u will come back to this thread but I will say it any way. When a "PRO" backs up what I said and people said I was crazy for saying it YUP I amgoing to point it out. As for the 2nd place NOT 5th you might want to go REREAD things. ALSO I NEVER call anyone Stupid...(find where I did and I will send you $100...Put up or shut up)... Till now cuz YOU are.
Red44 Yes I was jokin a bit with that anyway. But when Reed won 6 in a row RC had the title rapped up an RC was not stupid.
@BillC,, Yes, he did have it wrapped up,,, but,,, he had to get 2nd places, and no room for crashes or bike problems. RC's points lead on Reed was not a comfortable points lead by any means.
biguglymaniac is right we should stop commenting on the comment section of the website and all go riding or fix something or whatever ?
just another day in paradise.....
Suzuki is releasing a 2013 RM250 twostroke .... Just thought you would all like to know ... spy shots on the net.
Yes but RC could get 2nd with his eyes closed back then LOL and as for a bike problem thats out of there control.
@ BillC,, yes, but bike problems still cost you points. My point is, he did not have a "comfortable" points lead. Getting 2nd the last half of the season is not easy. To many things can happen.
RC even said "I had nothing for Chad those last races". Stewart never once had RC's number like that. Reed had more success against RC at least indoors than Stewart ever did.
What lucky_7 wrote! Totally agree.
Reeds the man... Gonna be 30 this year and still that fast.