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Yamaha - Press Release:
For as long as he could remember, Chad Reed wanted to be the world\'s best Supercross racer. At the age of 22 the Australian has fulfilled his dream in only his second year in the AMA 250 SX championship. Reed simply dominated the season winning ten out of sixteen races. The Yamaha Factory Racing rider made history by becoming the first foreign rider since Jean-Michel Bayle (1991) to beat the Americans at their own game. Apart from Reed and Bayle only Dutch Yamaha rider Pierre Karsmakers (1974) succeeded in this \'tour de force\'. We caught up with Chad to reflect on his extraordinary supercross season and previews the upcoming outdoor season.
YR.com: How did it feel to realise a childhood dream?
Chad Reed: As a kid growing up in Australia, I dreamed of winning the AMA Supercross Series championship. Some kids dream of winning the World Series, or the World Cup, or the Superbowl. My dream was to come to America and claim that championship that set apart names like Hannah, Johnson, McGrath, Bayle, Stanton, and Carmichael. All my friends and I ever did back home was ride, and then watch videos from the states. Watching Jeremy McGrath win and throw a Nac-Nac in front of a sold-out stadium was the seed for my dream. It was a great feeling when the Vegas race ended. I was happy, of course, for myself but also the whole Yamaha team, my family, and the people around me who helped make all this possible.
YR.com: Going into the last race when you can finally reach your goal must have put a lot pressure on yourself. Can you describe how the day went for you?
Reed: I always envisioned myself winning the championship but those last few weeks I didn\'t even want to talk or think about the idea because it made me lose focus on the race that weekend. I had a ton of friends that were going to show up in Vegas. I bet I bought more tickets for that race than anyone! (I\'m going to have to ask the promoters if they\'ll give me a \"Buy 20 tickets, get one free discount\" in the future!). Luckily I didn\'t have any trouble sleeping, as I was pretty tired from the press day, practice and the Yamaha dealership autograph session the night before. My routine on Saturday was not so much different to other races. In between practice and opening ceremonies, I ate something light, then relaxed a bit. After that, I did some stretching, and got a massage from my trainer Jeff Spencer. In between my heat and the main event, I spent time with Ellie. When your life\'s ambition is about to come true, it\'s pretty heavy. I just wanted to relax with her and the people who helped make everything possible. I rode a smart race, in Las Vegas and stayed out of harm\'s way in the main, finishing second to Kevin Windham.
YR.com: What is your plan, after having achieved your first major SX title?
Reed: I really want to step it up this year in the Outdoor Nationals and hopefully win another championship, then of course, go for my second Supercross title!
YR.com: What was your best race/most liked event of the SX season, your worst?
Reed: Anaheim 1 was a big highlight! I was injured coming into the season and did not know how well my shoulder feel after heat races and a 20 lap main event. I was able to win and then my teammates, Vuillemin and Ferry finished second and third making it a nice Yamaha sweep. That set the stage for a great season. My worst race, and it wasn\'t that bad, was Pontiac. I had crashed in the first turn and really had to battle to finish third, keeping my streak of a podium finish at every round intact.
YR.com: You were hands on favourite for the title, did the victory came easier than you expected?
Reed: No championship is ever easy. Even as the race wins became consistent, I did not focus on the championship, I just wanted to keep winning. With two rounds remaining in the series and the championship points in my favor, I did race more conservatively to make sure I didn\'t do anything to risk the title. It felt strange not racing 110 % but the lifetime goal of being Supercross champion was obviously more important.
YR.com: What was the turning point, or the decisive race in the championship?
Reed: That\'s a tough question but I knew after winning the Daytona Supercross, the toughest race of the year, I knew that if I stayed focused and could win a few more races, that the title was within reach. I was pretty beat up after that race but looking at the trophy made things a bit easier on me!
YR.com: You have quite an amazing crew (Jeff Spencer, Bob Moore) helping you behind the scenes. Can you explain their share in your success?
Reed: Racing at this level, everything needs to be perfect to win a title. I know how hard I work and to have others around me that do the same make all of this possible. Jeff keeps my body and mind in shape and Bob provides not only day to day assistance but offers track advice as well.
YR.com: How difficult is it to pump yourself up after so many wins to go out and make your mark in the outdoor races?
Reed: It\'s not difficult at all to keep myself motivated. I got beat last year, that\'s all the motivation I need. Supercross comes more naturally to me, but I will work hard to prove myself outdoors.
YR.com: You\'ll be making the switch from the YZ250 two-stroke to the YZ450F four-stroke for the nationals, how\'s your training going?
Reed: This year we are much more prepared entering the season. We started riding our YZ450Fs a few months back, made a few personal adjustments to the bike, and I feel are ready and more prepared than a year ago...
