5 Minutes with… Chad Reed
Monday, May 2, 2011 | 12:15 PM
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Chad Reed knew what was on the line on Saturday night in Salt Lake City. He knew he needed to repass Ryan Villopoto and get the win to improve his shot at the championship heading into this weekends finale in Las Vegas. He couldn’t make it happen, though, and he was understandably disappointed after the race. We chatted for a few minutes to get his take.
Racer X Online: How was the race?
Chad Reed: The race was okay. The start was hectic, crazy, I felt like a ping pong ball, not a big fan of those first turns, but what do you do, I got through it clean. I’m just disappointed that I felt that I just didn’t ride aggressive enough, and I rode kind of tight up front in the beginning. Ryan put some good laps in. I had to regroup, and once I regrouped, I was fine, I started catching him. But I was too inconsistent in the whoops. One lap I was down the right side, next time I was down the left, next time I was down the middle. I was just searching. When I committed, and rode it the way I’m supposed to ride it, I killed them and they were super easy. I just didn’t do that for enough of the laps.
Reed needed a win at Salt Lake City, but had to settle for second behind Ryan Villopoto.
Photo: Simon Cudby
Is there any science to why you got faster through there on the last few laps, or was that just all out, championship on the line stuff?
No, I was going all out the whole time. I was trying to get after it, it wasn’t like I was out there riding at 80 percent or anything, I just felt like I was making some mistakes and riding tight at the beginning. Once I loosened up a little bit and I picked a line that was working in the whoops, I tried to get after it.
Lot’s of talk about what parts you’re now running from Trey Canard’s bike. What changes are there?
Um, I don’t think there’s a lot from Trey’s bike. His bike is sitting over there at the Honda truck right now.
So you’re on your bike, not his?
Yeah, it has my numbers on it, my name and everything.
Well, for one, we know you switched to a hydraulic clutch. Was that a risk to change that late in the game, or did you know it would not be a problem?
I mean, it’s always risky. You look at things and kind of see if it’s going to be okay, and I’ve been around this along time, and when I was given the opportunity, I talked to some people I really respect—Mitch and Bones from PC, the Honda guys, and my guys. We picked it apart and figured out the pros and cons. I felt that it was my decision 100 percent, and I went in with an open mind. I allowed myself to ride their stuff and see what was better and what was different. I immediately liked some of their stuff, so I went down that road.
Reed was obviously disappointed with his second place finish.
Photo: Simon Cudby
So by the time you got here, you felt it wasn’t a risk?
I had been riding some of their parts since Monday after Seattle. And I burnt up some clutches doing those starts, I just did start after start. I have no experience with a hydraulic clutch, and immediately I had a great feeling. I was excited the have the opportunity. But it’s always one thing to test and ride and be at home in your own environment, but when you get into race conditions….it was actually pretty funny. In the heat race, I went over the finish line on the first lap and I went to adjust it. And for those of you that know, you can’t adjust a hydraulic clutch, the feel never changes so there’s no need to adjust it. But I had this moment in race mode, and I totally reached for it, and I was like “You idiot, there’s nothing there!” And I was okay after that.
So any strategy from here on out to Vegas?
Just do your deal and enjoy it. We’re nine down, so it’s going to take him finishing outside of the top five and me getting a win, and honestly I feel like that’s a longshot. Ryan rides great at that track. So, I gave up a lot tonight, and I know that, and that’s why I’m bummed. I’m disappointed. But I’m not beat, we’ll come out next week and come out swinging and try to win the race. I can only control my own destiny, and whatever happens outside of that happens.
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HOLESHOT!
holeshot...
or not.
I think Reedy still has a legit chance. RV may fold and wad it up under the pressure, especially if he gets a bad start.
@yzchris76 Thats wishful thinking on your part, RV has shown MANY times that he does not fold under pressure. He has very little pressure now anyway, he could get 5th with his eyes closed almost. Baring some real bad luck it's over.
PS. don't forget Reed HAS TO win, If JS wins (he is fater thean Reed) then RV only needs a 7th.
m gonna throw a stick in Villipotos back wheel from the stands in Vegas so he DNF's... if your not cheatin your not tryin.... win it anyway you can Reedy!!
You have to give it up for this guy, He's got passion and desire to be the best. To spend millions out of your own pocket to go racing on a new bike, new team, new everything with about a month of testing and in the end sitting 2nd place 9 points down with one race to go ?
Good for you Chad, you are a class act, and thanks for sticking around and showing the world your talent.
All Reed can do is go out and ride the way he can, and if JS7 dont take him out he'll have a good shot at the win. the title he#ll need help but regardless. CR22 has nothing to c4y about hes had a great SX seasion and considering where he started with his own team and all top 3 for the season aint bad and he should be proud cause no one expected what hes done... nice one Chad, cap the season with a win in Vegas!!!!
HOLE-SNOT!!!! WooHoo.....the first HOLE-SNOT!!!
did not spend millions, wins money for podiums , and from his sponsors, not a privateer by any means , all of the other riders just get gifts from james bad luck ...sorry folks its the truth ...second most wins this year, just not enough points ...still the fastest rider this sport has ever seen , still in his prime , and next year will be exciting..
Some one help me. I calculte that if RV gets a 6th and CR wins in Vegas then they will tie in points with the win going to RV with 6 wins to Chad's 2. I keep reading that RV needs 5th in Vegas. Is it not 25points of 1st 22 for 2nd 20 for 3rd, 18 for 4th 17 for 5th 16 for 6th and so in????????
Reed, your a class act, and I would love to see you win the series, but I gotta say that I wont be disappointed to see RV win, if anyone deserves the titel its RV. Most wins, and the DNQ was not his fault, it wasnt his mistake... Even a 5th place when he didnt Q would put him so far ahead in points that Reed isnt even close.
Great job to both of you, you are both champs in my book!
James hates Reed. And vice versa. You can bet James is going to do everything he can to make sure Reed doesn't win the championship. Wether he moves over on a start, tangles with Reed in a corner, or just outright wins it to keep Reed from getting points, its gonna happen, watch for it.
I'm a Reed fan but Reed had his chance. 6 point swing. Had Villo in his sights but couldn't run him down. So much for Villo folding under pressure. I know it's not over but it's over. As a fan it would of been nice with Reed down 3 going to Vegas. Can anyone tell me if Stewart is racing the outdoors. Can't find a for sure yes anywhere.
16 points for 5th
Is Reed gonna race outdoors?
Totally deja vu from 09'. Reed comes in a few points down, needs to get a good start and take out the points leader to win. Set him up in the back sweeper and this time make it stick!!
1st 25 2nd 22 3rd 20 4th 18 5th 16
Right, kawiryder. 16 pts for 5th, 15 for 6th, etc.
@clint - "all of the other riders just get gifts from james bad luck "? I'm sorry, but was that "luck" that Stewart fell on his own, got back up, tried to get right back up to speed in the whoops, hit them with the wrong timing, and end up on his head? Frankly, it looked like something out of Keystone Kops. He has great talent, but his head will prevent him from achieving what the RCs and RJs of the world have done. Not hatin', just making a realistic observation. Call it a gift if you insist, but reality says three riders are going to finish ahead of Stewart in this series, and it had nothing to do with injuries or mechanicals. It was rider error(s).
Reddy we are behind you all the way. Stay away from Stewart in Vegas he love to take you out and ruin your shot at the championship, but you got this one. RV is to inconsistant, has a lil Stewart in him, he will crash under the pressure.
I'm here looking for that punk jairtime, where are you, ya little piss ant?
Aw c'mon Reedy... 2nd in the series this year, is as good as a win when the competition isn't as deep. You should be proud, you did it on your own. And, you did better than *some* other clown, ha ha!
I love how guys like Clint even know how much money Reed spent on his team, its great. Belive me, he MIGHT be getting money now, but to start a team, companies are NOT going to throw money at you unless they get results, and that took time. He spent a boatload of money to get his team started. It just happens that he earned alot of money and had it too spend, but you got to love the idea that he went out and did it. And has been succesful so far.
And all these guys saying Reed will take down the points leader. When has Reed ever talen down the points leader? Someone tell me. I saw him bump Stewie a few years ago in Vegas, never took him down. But I did see Stewie take down TWO different points leader this year alone. So why all the grief for Reed for nothing??
Nothing to hang your head about Reedy...hell of a year. Now go win Vegas and finish on a high note. Serious respect to the 22.
Reed will do what he does best to win this championship... He'll get his ass beat all season, fly under the radar, and then T-bone his way to the championship. He can't be them fairly so he resorts to those tactics. And that is not the mark of a champion but a dirty cheater. He's like that dork in dodgeball that doesn't go out and fight and try to knock people off. He hides in the corner until there's two people left and then catches the ball to win it.
As they say
If it was a 100% sure thing, Villy would have been given the trophy last week.
When did Reed EVER win a championship that way, Mitch. Fabrication isn't a legitimate form of argument. Are you Karl Rove?
It doesn't look to me like Villapoto has to much trouble dealing with anybody,passed Reed hard and fast ,turned the fastest lap, Won!. I don't dislike Havoc7 but now he's just kinda silly riding from spot to spot soil testing ...2 is my guy but it's still wide open,lots can happen. It's Vegas !!!!! @bd200 you really think that was'nt a take out try by reed in vegas on 7?, come on!!! Reed knows winning or second won't cut it unless RV breaks or he creates "a problem", lets see how he deals with it this weekend. Alls fair in love and war ,may the best man win....(i just wish Canard was still in it) and 18 on the red.
"all of the other riders just get gifts from james bad luck"--Not sure what luck has to do with it. It's not like he broke a chain or his bike blew up. Wreckers or checkers has worked in the past; not so sure it will work in the future with 4...5...6 guys who are capable of winning.
"Reed will do what he does best to win this championship... He'll get his ass beat all season, fly under the radar, and then T-bone his way to the championship." A poor move for sure in the past; doubt it will happen again.
@ sef154.. well said!. Isn't it funny how some think JS7 is GOD and somehow the greatest thing to EVER happen in Motocross History!? lol
I swear It's like J.Bubba.Bieber Fever... get over it! James flat out FFFKED UP this year kids! The so called "gifts" James gave out were all HIS own doing! And I like James, I just call it as I see it!
Oh and btw... @ Mitch .. YOU my friend sound like the dork standing in the corner during dodgeball with that dumbaasss comment. Dude, you must not go far back in moto history. Are you a new fan of the sport? Or are you blind too like some other jokers on here babbling away like know it alls?!!
@tonewall, no I dont think Red tried to take him down. These guys are the best riders in the world. If he wanted to drop Stewie in Vegas, he would have. He could have very easily just slid his back wheel in and took Stewies front wheel out. And dropped him.
@Mitch, what title did Reed ever win with those "tactics" you are talking about?? I dont know of any. I think the only dumb move I have ever seen Reed make was the one on Stewie this year. And Stewie does that stuff several times a year, every year.
Too many jealous keyboard racers on here. After the first few rounds of SX Reed wasn't doing anything special. (everybody wrote him off anyway). Carmichael in the booth kept saying "dont give chad confidence. A little bit of it and Chad's gonna be on a Mission". RC was right. SEF..... You forgot about The KING man. Last year honda's were the only factory bikes w/o hydraulic clutches. Reed Really is the best when it comes to using the clutch, best since MC.
@mitch
The fact that you referenced dodgeball in your comment explains the whole story. Better put your mom's iPhone away before your teacher takes it little fella.
Clint, you're a jackoff. Take that JS7 this and JS7 that crap someplace where someone gives a sh*t. Idiots like you just don't get it. Stewart is not the best rider in this series, as it stands right now he is the 4th best rider. The best rider has yet to be determined.
Yamaha 625 sucks.
They all got gifts this season...Just accept it dude...They have ...lol ha ha
I agree with Clint , maybe not gifts ,but they sure did benifit from his bad luck, Who has more wins then Stewie this year , Hmmm , looks like only one rider , hmmm how many wins does reed have , hmmmm ,
B where do you want me to take my js7 crap , this is what it is for , just because you dont agree with me or some of the others on here , does not mean we should not post a comment... Stop with the name calling ,and the temper tantrums.. that is for children, unless you are one
Mitch said it all ....how true..
I am Reed fan disappointed that he couldn't catch RV2. But look respect Reed for having no ride going into the season and this is his 4th ride in 4 years. Who else has done that? It's RV2's season, most wins and there is * next this title as Dungey got last season, fair or unfair. Why does no one remember JS7's teammate (Chisholm) taking Reed out hard in '09 and getting black flagged a lap down when Reed was on JS7's ass the whole race up to that point. If anyone says Reed is dirty at least he takes it on hilmself instaed of having your B rider do the dirty work. I respect JS7 talent and he is fast. But when the guy crashes or wins every week you gotta figure it out at some point, if you have that talent. Why do you have to try to lap the field by still doing Quads and blasting whoops when you could ride smooth, hard and keep 2nd place 3 seconds behind you? That's what the TOP guys have always done. JS7 has 2 SX's titles and really has only himself to blame for not having more. You can't catch the The King and The GOAT unless you win 1 title at a time. Late, See you in Millville MX and love the 40 Day Count Down.
Clint, why don't you go onto JS7's facebook page and cry over there like all his fans do. Like I said coulda shoulda woulda, lucks got nothing to do with it. It's called poor decision making, the guys in front of Stewart have obviously been more on top of their game. Im pretty sure JS would be the first to tell some of you knuckleheads that.
Sorry B you are so upset I dont agree with you , I am sure once you think about it you will change your mind .. Stop crying , you sound silly
U are the biggest cry baby that ever put his leg across a bike,rember we dont make mastakes like james and this level look what happened last week lmao!!!!!
Go Reed! (And Weege WTF with 'Lot's'?)
number9, what bad "luck" did Stewie suffer?? It was all self-induced..
What up, Seal?
Here's the way I see it. They are going to let James holeshot, and he might even pull away and win to try to prove a point. He's not a factor in the title. They should worry if he's behind all three of them at the start. The havoc he could wreak there could be epic.
I can see Reed finishing 2nd in Vegas.
Why?
Villopoto should stay away from Reed and give him two or three points to safely win the title. Villo should finish 3rd.
Dungey 4th.
That's what I would predict. Hopefully though, it will be a knock down, drag out, handlebar-clanging, door-slamming, cut-off, brake checking stuff-fest and they'll all cross the finish line side by side.
Thanks to all of the "fast five" for giving all of us the best SX season of our lives.
it must be nice to burn up clutches like nothing and put another one in,,,, im Jealous
you americans, mitch in particular , i heard that u can fit 8 fingers and 2 thumbs into ur anal passage
Wow,what an awesome season, I as a racer in the 70s & 80s too a motodad since i have never witness a more action packed season ever. I am a loyal Suzuki fan.but at this point whoever wins this title totally deserves it!! Reed, I have seen him mature into a class act racer,a great role model for the future of our sport & for him too be where he is at this point in this series with Two-two racing is phenomenal.going against the factory riders and actually being a threat for the championship is something to be proud of. Nice job Chad! Now go out & win this battle! just stay away from the Big Blue wrecking crew of San Manuel Yamahas.lol, personally i think james needs too stick too Bubbas World...
Chad, in LV, take RV2 out, then RD1, then yourself. Ok?
For the most part all you guy's are BRAINDEAD,clearly the guy that wins Vegas, and maybe the Championship, is the guy whose mechanic chooses the proper colored POWERBAND!!!!
Ya bunch of dimwit's.
And to whom this may concern, Thank you all for an awesome season of SX/ SX Lites, and all the best for Vegas........
@bd200 you make it sound easy...go back and watch it ,he slams him off the track,he knew it was coming is what saved him . Lets see if he LETS villapoto cruise to a 3-4-5 maybe 6-7 (depends on havoc7) without some kind of crap and i'll eat my words. A win for Reed won't win the championship unless something happens to RV.
I feel really bad for reed but rv is a winner... reed has had to battle with the best in the world all of his career that being rc and js and always come so close to winning it within a few points and never just could pull it off. I feel for chad and I respect him as a rider to be that close in the points since 2005 he has been so close to winning many titles it must hurt but screw it hes a multi millioniare lol he has done well for himself..
Reed has done a great job with the new team and to be in the title hunt is very impressive. Dungey, Stewart, Villopoto, and Canard have made this probably the best SX season I can remember. The one thing I read on here is that if Stewart didn't crash and if this didn't happen or that didn't happen he would have one. Well the last time I checked staying up and going fast= winning, and going fast + crashing = no championship. To late for woulda coulda shoulda's. Good luck to all in the last round and I can't wait for outdoors!!
Hey, ya all talking about RV2 CR22 & JS7, what about Dungey!!! isnt he only 3 pionts back from Reed? what if RV@ and CR@@ get bad starts and RV@ finished in 7th or worse and dungey won? he would have 2 wins then, would he not be the champion? and when you guy's comment about someone sitting in the corner and then coming out when there are only a couple left, isnt that what dungey has done? you dont have to be in the limelight all the time to win championships.
Any way I am an Aussie and Reed's my guy, so do you best and thats all you can do. Championships decide the best rider over a series, not who is the fastast guy on the planet.
I have been involved in this sport , most of my life, And this is by far has been the most interesting season in a long time, Great at times , and disapointing as well , the anger some of you express for a champion like James , says alot about where we are as a society, Still in the infatile stages of Humanity , with residual of hate handed down through many generations, I have seen RC booed , as well as Bradshaw , and Matasavich , and many others , But that was just fans rooting for there favorites . But the hate for James seems to be just because of who he is , or represents, He is right up there with the greats , But still has to deal with ,something almost all of this sport never had to deal with , A black man in an all white sport just trying hold his head up high , battling his competition and dealing with a still racist society . Which is something that most of you will never experience . What he did do was bring alot of attention to this sport , with Bubbas world , and his total pin it to win it style , and changed the way we all ride , The Bubba scrub , etc . RV CR Dungey Canard all have stepped up ther game because of him , and have become better riders.Rc said it many times . I am a flagman at some of these races , and have acess to the pits , And let me tell you , he and his family has nothing but respect from his fellow racers .
Please.... save your speech for your buddies, and a little fact for you, RC was scrubbin way before Stewart came on to the seen so Stewart " did not invent " that...... There are pictures from the Late 90's with RC dragging his foot peg over the face of jumps and his drain plug looking right at you LOOONG before Stewie came up. If Stewart was a white guy I guarantee you he would not have all the attention he gets from the media and sponsors now, He would be just another good rider
yzf 125 , Rc did not invent the scrub , so save your speech for some other fool that believes you ...If James was white , morons like you would not post ..
Too much controversy, all I have to say is good luck Chad Reed, and be proud.
Apparently you are just a uneducated kid that should be in school right now learning something. Do your home work before you spout at the mouth. I will give you an assignment, go look up photos of RC form 97, 98 Outdoor 125 MX .
Not a kid , 50 year old vet A rider been racing since the 70s ..the photo you speak of does not qualify as a scrub ..sorry you are wrong!!
Incomplete home work assignment = Grade F
@ Yomamaha... When you threw the race card I stopped reading. It is foolish comments like yours that propetuate the idea that racism is a part of our sport. Everyone of us that rides is the same color under that helmet. None of us that hate on JS do so because of the color of his skin. I don't like him because he is all bling. Racing is a working mans sport and many of us skrimp and save just to go racing. He is louder with his actions off the track than will ever be on the track and that just bugs the shit out of me. Hell I hated on Reed untill this year when I saw him shut his mouth and work hard for it. Reed has millions of dollars but you would never know it by the stock red truck he drives around. A riders actions are what cause us benchracers to form our opinions.... NOT the color of his skin.
yzf125, I doubt RC would credit Stewie with bringing the 'scrub' into the mainstream if he invented it. People jumped at angles and pulled whips for a long time... that's not a scrub.
I give Reed a lot of respect for his season on his own team. I've never been a fan of his, thought he was a prima donna, but he put in solid rides all season while managing the business side of things on a tight timeline... I have to respect the focus it takes to do that successfully.
mytkidsmechanic... race card really ... have you read some of these posts ... the race card is allready out there, buddy ... and its people like you that refuse to reconize it , and thats why it prevails .. yeah I know you dont have a problem with color . blah blah blah .. Liar !!!
Thanks unreal , for setting yzf125 straight .he knows not of which he speaks .. dude you just got burned lol
Like I said,You are just a kid, thanks for proving that. and you are no rider just a video game racer at best.
like I said, RC has been scrubbing WAY before Stewie came along, just didnt do it on every jump and I never said he " invented it " just said Stewie didnt invent it, he only made it popular because he does it on ever jump he hits.
If you did your homework like I told you, You would have come up with a picture of RC on a 125 in 1998 dragging his foot peg over a down hill drop off jump "to stay low " = "SCRUB" . and showing off his oil drain plug to all. I will give you a hint, It was in the MXA magazine in 1998 also.
Racer X will back me up on this one 100%
Now run along and don’t came back till you have done the proper research kid......
I think yomamaha was talking about hate which seem to have been missed by a few readers. Stewart is famous because he wins ALOT and is blazing fast !FACT! and fun to watch weather he crashes or not ...and as for the scrub i don't remember EVERYONE doing it till Havoc 7 started really scrubing the s#*t out of it. I saw Cooper do it before long before RC...s*#t i saw Decoster cross it up lol does that count @125yzf bust out your 69 dirt bike mag kid.lol.....obviously i'm not a kid and i don't sit around reading old MXA mags that sucked anyway, nobody invents ..we just adapt.@mykidsmech. ask James Stewart senior about being a black working man in the south scraping together $ to go racing ,he'll change your perspective!
tonewall seems educated about the sport..yzf125 trys but has no real knowledge , looks like everyone is shooting you down buddy ...take it like a Man ....
Do you like to have conversation with yourself ? You keep changing your screen name just to comment on your own reply .......... Grow up kid, and do your homework like I told you , and one day you will pass the 6th grade !
I NEED TO USE CAPS. WHEN I SCREAM LIKE A LITTLE GIRL!
yzf125, I want to help you, as we keep asking you to put up your shovel and stop digging, yet the hole you're in continues to get deeper the more desperately you try. As mentioned by someone else in this forum, RC himself credits James Stewart with the scrub. Period. It is commonplace now, but short of perhaps Trey Canard, there is still only one "Bubba scrub." And if RC says it's so, well, that should be good enough for anyone that follows the sport.
I recommend you go back to high school or finish up your GED before furthering the attempt to argue with this group of misfits and Nascar fans. There's likely a combined IQ in here of Ben Townley's #, and yet you continually get schooled.
I suggest you run down to the liquor store, grab yourself a 12-pack 'o 'bud,' fire up your '94 KDX 500, and do your best not to run into a tree during your trail ride. And never, ever come back here. Thank you
Can RacerX shut these comments off? What a waste of space.
I like the answer about running Canards parts, LAME he's running anything Factory Honda will let him. It's got his plastic and everything!