Chad Reed Interview
Wednesday, October 13, 2010 | 10:34 AM
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PrintMotoOnline speaks in-depth with Chad Reed about season 2010 and what the future holds for the TeamVodafone Supercross hero. Read the interview right here.
photo: Courtesy Alex Gobert
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It would be a shame to not have him on the line come A1 if he's willing & able. I think this guy still has a championship run in him. His consistency will keep him a title threat whether he's the "fastest" or not. He looked better on the Suzuki than the Kawasaki and maybe the Honda is a step back towards that comfort level, as he eluded to in the interview. Honda could do worse. I wonder what the magic number ($$$) is to get Mr. Reed riding???
I'm calling it right now: this is Reed's swan song. I hope I'm wrong- I really enjoy watching this cat ride, but I imagine contract negotiations with him are torturous.
It's a shame that Greedy won't line up unless he gets his 7+ digits. There is too much "inventory" of riders now, he wont get the deal he wants. My prediction; No reed in 2011
I really hope the healthy Reed comes back full tilt. He was the only rider who kept up with Stewie for a long time after RC retired . And he is the only one who kept up with RC also. With him on the line every week at 100%, he will be up front with the rest of the top guys. Heres to hoping everyone gets there at A1 healthy and fast, let the racing begin.
I'm sure he could get a good incentive-based contract, but no doubt he wants a huge salary too. You can't really blame him, but it sounds like the desire isn't there. And if his heart isn't totally in it, then his chances of winning are seriously diminished. Bummer.
He can go to vodafone but when he gets back to AMA he would be lucky to get podium. Not hating on Reedy. We have a much improved Dungey, RV training with Aldon, and Pourcel let alone Stewie who we dont know if he still has it. So thats four guys. And if you do the math with one of the other guys that are close like Millsaps,Josh Grant or even Kyle Regal. This close to podium guys might be a threat for sure. Oh yea Trey Canard and Windham+ Weimer. Oh man its on. It used to be if you get top 5 in 450 thats good but in 2011 if you get top 10 then thats really good bcoz the competition has increased and is fierce.
I understand that he wants paid to risk all that these guys do- I don't really blame him, but he'll look back and realize he let money get in the way of competing at the highest level while he was in his prime. The pursuit of his legacy should motivate him more- it seems.
I wonder what Chads neighbors are thinking now that he is gonna be in Aussie for a while?
Wonder if 22 could take a year off from US racing, do the car thing and come back to be a regular podium contender.
We'll be reading the same type of story about Stewart after this year. He will demand huge $$$ to keep racing. If he doesn't get it, he'll be just like Reed, looking for some other type of racing to get into. I don't blame these guys one bit for not taking less cash to keep racing. They were and maybe still are the two fastest supercross racers on the planet.
Its a one wkd deal only!! You gotta respect REED for admitting he wasnt comfortable on the Kawi and that The suzuki was better. ALso when a man does things his way only, I have nothing but respect for that. I know im not in a position like that but i'd like to and so are many other pple.
like him or not I want anyone who can win on the line and he can win races IMO. ya gota respect the position he is in, Able to call his shots. Hey remember None of these guys are doing this for free.
If you guys read the post from the other day he is running the V8 supercar season. Which runs from February to October, so unfortunately he will be done in the US.
Regardless of salary, I think he's just over it. I'm sure the love for moto is still there, but I think the week-in and week-out racing, all the business aspects of it, behind the scenes BS, and pressure to perform have taken it's toll and that his heart just isn't into the career aspect of moto anymore. I don't think he'll be lining up for SX in 2011
Hey prime I dont see stewie going to another type of racing like Chad. He might make a tv show or turn into a movie star but thats about it. I think Dungey or even RV might be better or faster now but we will find out A1. Stewie doesnt seem to care anymore. He is enjoying his fruits of labor. I heard Aldon split bcoz James just didnt care about stuff and he didnt want to get paid to sit around if he was not training JS. So basically Aldon left by himself not fired
There was a time that NASCAR was courting Stewart because of the demographic he represents but, I don't know if that's the case anymore. It's insulting to me to hear some riders won't suit up w/o a big salary up front. Wake up prima donnas, the salad days have left the building and you're worth exactly what your best offer is. If it takes seven figures to operate your "program" then maybe you need to re-evaluate your program because there's lots of fast guys out there w/o "man friends" and private tracks. If this is how the man formerly know as "the fastest man on the planet" and "thunder from down under" exit the sport, it will leave a skid mark on their reputations.
The way I see it the torch has been handed and these guys are hiding behind big salary demands. If they don't get the inflated pre recession salary they won't line up to get beat by the younger guys.
GREEDY REEDY LOL! its a wrap for him, Chad if ur gonna retire just retire, the sport will go on, you are a great rider! Make up ur mind already or do you need this much attention?
i agree with mr whirl... bye bye reed. he had his time. instead of fighting back, he wants to walk away. we will see what stewart does next year. either way, tourch is being passed.. these younger riders are much hungrier and more motivated then stewie and reed. and if they do "retire" to pursue other options, i can guarantee they will recevie no where near the 7 figure salary they expect from SX/MX. im sure RC doesnt make 1/4 of what he made when he was riding. in this economy, the major factories dont care who you are or how big your name is, they just want you to win! winning makes them happy! Crying about not being 100%, $$, the bike, or even not racing SX and MX is a thing of the past if you want a big team to sponsor you. You gotta be in it to win it. to win it you gotta put the work in. and there are plenty of young, hungry kids that have no problem doing that... for much cheaper then for a lazy big headed guy!
dgizzy, its funny you always put Pourcel as a top guy on the 450, he didnt win on the 250,But you almost forget about TreyCanard. Who podiumed on a 450 already, and just beat Pourcel for the 250 Nationals. Biased maybe??
Am I stupid, or what?!?!?! Not only do I not get a salary to race, I take my own money out of my own pocket to race at some meaningless local race. Whoever it was above the mentioned 'prima donna's' hit the nail right on the head. You've already made your millions, now do it for the love of the sport.
No doubt that these past champions have the speed to mix it up but it is hard work. I am questioning the motivation. Dungey and Villipoto and Alessi and Canard are training every day to acheive the next level. Can a rider win without that dedication? Can an older rider do that to his body if he wanted to? Reed and Windham have a style that promotes longevity but so does Dungey. Ride for the love of the sport, that is a novel concept and I believe the younger guys are still doing that, Windham is too ... and it shows.
This is not a fairy tale guys, Ride for the love of it.... Come on now... Yes that would be nice but its not reality. Would you go to work for FREE??? Any of you?? This is a JOB for these guys... Yes they started out loving it but now its a JOB..... You think the young guys ike RV or RD would do this for free?? They are Hungry right now because they are young, But the sport wares EVERYONE down at some point, Some take longer than others but they all ware down. Its just like anything you love to do...If you could do it every day you lose some intrest in it, But when you are at work thinking all day I can't waite to get out and go riding it makes u love it more because you can't have it all the time. I give these guys a lot of respect to do what they do everyday to be where they are risking there life everyday when thay don't have to anymore.
You are right on Bill. This is our recreation, not our vocation and that instantly makes things different. I do think that what Reed calls "riding for free" his a lot of money. Who knows, it's all conjecture and BS... I just want to see the best ride.
Jake511 ask any of the pro riders if they would be a taxi cab driver or a pilot (the same thing), for the same amount of money they are making at MX and they won't do it. They definately love what they do. With age and maturity though priorities change. I agree that a lot of money by definition is different to everyone.
Reed raced the 2009 outdoor series for free... ur right, its all about the money to him
seanb05, Really???? "C'mon Man!!" In the nicest possible way, please, educate yourself. Reed not only was paid by his team (rockstar/makita/suzuki/whoever) but, was also paid by Lloyd's of London for a policy he took out against himself. Look it up.
Think of it like this, Chads 28 now, been racing for what 15-20yrs? got to the top by working his butt off been on the best bikes the sport can offer for a top pay packet. Now 2nd level bike, without the top pay packet. How many of you would do your job for less money and with gear that didnt make it as easy as you once had it?
bd200 not biased on Pourcel. I just think with CP smooth riding style he is gonna be more of a threat at SX. CP has always been better at SX than MX and given that he gets tired 1st moto SX is only 20 laps. Trey is good and im not taking anything away from him. Its gonna be a hard fought season and I just wish all riders stay healthy so we dont have to say coulda woulda shoulda
Carlsbad you have to wonder if Chad took out another policy for 2010? As soon as he new the title was out of reach he pulled off the track after Regal passed him for 10th and said his neck was too to ride, three days later he says he has EBV and can no longer race. He was all ready for MXoN 3 weeks later until he didn't have a sponsor. Where was this EBV then just three weeks later? It sounds like his EBV has miracuiosly been cured. Take all this and Reed blames the bikes and the teams and everything but himself, I think his true colors are showing through and it is all catching up to him.
Whether Reed retires or rake pay checks to suffice his needs, the sport is blessed enough to see a type of guy lined up when gates are about to drop even if they have enough $$$ in their purse to just sit in the couch and have a great time with their lives. I won't take anything away from Chad. He gave RC & JS7 a run for their money. And it's great for the sport to see such competition at its highest level... And if you have read Steve Cox's piece from a Redux 2 weeks ago, it's no longer viable for these Pros to "race for the love of the sport" and compromise the business aspect of the sport... These guys has race tracks to maintain, salaries for their own staffs, and so on... And I guess nobody from these Big Time Pros want to spend something out from their own pockets, race week in & week out with all the uncertainties...
I kinda agree he is after the money. But you could look at it he has the resume to demand a high pay cheque and things like that but I seriously wonder if the money has now taken his desire away? I mean he's only racin 1 round of the superx, which I understand why he only wants to do one round but I also see it as he's lost the desire to want to do it anymore, like he doesn't wanna prove he's still good. I personally will be surprised if I see him line up next year. even though I think sometimes he's a sook, I still wish him the best.
See Ya! There are plenty of superfast guys on the 450s for next year, we dont really need you. You wont be happy with four wheels either, cuz your winning days are over! I dont really care if he is there or not, especially without the drive to win. He is done. The young guns are here.