Between the Motos: Chad Reed
Wednesday, May 18, 2011 | 11:45 AM
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By: Alex Gobert/MotoOnline.com.au
After staring down the barrel of retirement, Reed did what very few professional motocross stars have done before him and formed his very own TwoTwo Motorsports Bel-Ray Racing team using production Honda equipment.
Even more impressive was the fact that Reed and his management were able to launch a team in a short period, and then go on to take two wins and second in Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship.
Now, Reed is also poised to contest the Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship as it commences this weekend at Hangtown in Northern California.
Our friend Alex Gobert at MotoOnline.com.au gave Reed a call this morning for a quick catch up to see how his season is progressing to date. He sent us this interview for this week’s Between the Motos. And be sure to stay current with the MotoOnline.au site to keep up with racing from the Down Under perspective.
Racer X Online: You had a great season in Supercross, just fell short of the title, but ultimately 2011 must be very rewarding so far?
Chad Reed: It was good. I mean we started the season behind the eight ball, but each and every race we got better and better. In the end we were consistently on the podium and able to win races. We fell four points short, but there’s nothing I would have changed – it was an awesome season and I had a lot of fun. I felt like I achieved a lot.
Reed finished second overall in the 2011 SX season.
Photo: Simon Cudby
I remember at Newcastle Super X last year when you debuted on the Honda in TeamVodafone colors, it was hard to imagine back then that you would form your own team and race to second in the AMA series. It really wasn’t that long ago!
It wasn’t that long ago, no. In a lot of ways it’s hard to think of it like that, but for me that was why I went racing, you know? I enjoyed it, it was fun and the feeling that I wanted to have on the bike was that feeling. I felt like Newcastle was awesome, just doing it on my own and it was on a great bike.
I felt like I had a good shot at winning races and putting a championship together, so that was really where it all started. The whole fact that we got to work with Vodafone was unique and fun, which kind of inspired the rest of how TwoTwo Motorsports came together.
And the plan from here? Obviously motocross commences this weekend at Hangtown, can you shed any more light on your deal for the outdoors?
For outdoors I’m going racing, but everything is up in the air as to how we’re going to go racing. There’s an announcement still to come on that one at the moment.
American Honda has really stepped up their support for you and TwoTwo by the looks of it, so just how much does that help having those extra resources while testing etc?
It’s always nice to have extra resources available to you, for sure. I mean, I think I made the right decision and I think we went in the right direction. You know, it’s always difficult to change things when everything’s going well – I was a podium guy who could fight for race wins, so at that point sometimes it’s not a smart move to maybe go and recreate the wheel. You have to go and ride, get used to a whole new motorcycle.
So, I mean I rode their bike, felt that the positives could really help me in the outcome of the season. I think that in the last two races I rode strong, rode good, so I was able to get a second and a first. At the end of the day we made a good decision to try and give me the best opportunity to go out and win a championship.
How much of a factor will Reed be at Hangtown?
Photo: Simon Cudby
Now that you have your own team and the infrastructure in place, is that something you’re keen to move forward with to expand in the future?
Yeah, I really want to, I want to keep doing it. I enjoy it, I love it, it’s fun. Having the final say on everything is always a good thing, so for me I want to keep it around. It’s a long-term goal and it was never intended to be a short-term deal. I always wanted to do this and we’ve got some sponsors that we’re really working with closely. I think TwoTwo Motorsports will only get bigger and better. Right now I’m excited for the future and I’m also excited for the goals that we are achieving in our first year.
How about the U.S. GP over the weekend? You were on hand and got to catch up with old friends, but did you wish you were racing at all out there?
It was cool, I mean there was a part of me that really wanted to race but we just weren’t ready. I hadn’t even started outdoor testing until Wednesday. I rode on Tuesday but I still felt like I was hung over from the weekend in Vegas [laughs]. So I tested Wednesday and Thursday, which just isn’t enough. Plus the GP’s fuel and sound rules make it even more difficult since we would have had to focus our energy on something we didn’t really need to do. Unfortunately I didn’t get to race, but it was nice to see some old people who I had become close with over the years. It was actually pretty cool to watch, I felt like I learnt a lot watching those guys ride – they’re awesome outdoor riders. I took a back seat, watched it and took it all in.
Reed is realeasing a new book about his career.
Photo: Simon Cudby
Just finally, we’ve heard news of the book you’re releasing, so that must be an exciting thing for you to do at this point in your career…
Yeah, I have been working on my book deal for a while now and from my end I’m finished with it. We’re kind of waiting for the final copies, so I’m excited just because it’s unique to have a book. It’s been fun to do because the amount of stuff that you do in your life, when you go back through it, you forget so much of the memories that you’ve collected over the years.
It’s kind of scary that I’ve been travelling the world since I was 11 years old! Kinda’ been living the gypsy life for a long time, so it was cool to put all that into words and I’m excited to read it myself. At the end of the day I have the final say on everything, so I’m looking forward to that.
Okay well we can’t wait to read that and wish you the best of luck this weekend at Hangtown!
Alright, cool Al, thank you.
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Go CR22! Bring home another outdoor title.
chad reed is gonna write a book about his life huh..probably gonna be ten chapters about the years of fits rc gave him during his career.
WHAT he was just not ready for the GP?? LOL
Way 2 go Chad Good Luck in the outdoors it looks to be a tough one. Can't wait to get the book.
Or the tenacity and hard work of a champion. Or the determination of someone who loves the sport w everything he has. Or his heart of a lion. Mikemikekxnqkxoa you're a joke.
c
Chad is NOT winning anymore outdoor titles in the AMA! Looks like Charlie is gonna buy his book, Motorbike Mike.....Funny! I am not a Chad Reed fan but I gotta give him props, he had a great supercross season and he is racing outdoors, which are both things you can't say about JS7!
that is funny, Reed said the same thing James did " we were not ready" before james did I assume.... But Reed is racing this weekend, so cant dog him too hard.....I dont think CR22 will run with RV and Dungey......this may be the 22 fairwell tour....be interesting to see how he does and if he sticks with it if he gets smoked.......but who knows these days....
Hmm, lets see. Here is a man who just recently started his own team,who was only able to test for outdoors a couple of weeks ago,has a young child,but yet he is ready to race the entire outdoors.Then there is stewart, who has been on the same bike and team for a couple of years, but is "not ready"? Whats stewarts suckass tv show going to be about? Mowing the grass? Im pulling hard for Reed! Not quite as hard as i am for RV though. Reedy, you're the man! Much respect to you.Cant wait for washougal.
Hmm, lets see. Here is a man who just recently started his own team,who was only able to test for outdoors a couple of weeks ago,has a young child,but yet he is ready to race the entire outdoors.Then there is stewart, who has been on the same bike and team for a couple of years, but is "not ready"? Whats stewarts suckass tv show going to be about? Mowing the grass? Im pulling hard for Reed! Not quite as hard as i am for RV though. Reedy, you're the man! Much respect to you.Cant wait for washougal.
@ mc724,, I remember Reed taking a few years of MX off,, dont you ?? How soon some people forget..
People want to give him grief for not racing the GP and nobody else did either?? What a bunch of losers. He had a great supercross season, and this guy can race outdoors well. Dont forget he would have 2 more outdoors titles if it wasnt for RC, nobody was beating him. He beat some really good outdoor riders in thier prime, including K-Dub one year I think. He is a good outdoor rider. Will he win the title? NO way, I think he will battle for podiums every week though. Which is more than I can say for some riders out there guys love.
I love how when he really needed sponsorship and had to seek out companies for money, he didn't go to one of "The big 3" energy drinks. One of the few riders out there without those stickers on the bike or helmet
When you don't ride the outdoors your cred takes a fall.
Supercross iis a great championship to win but we all started in MX and i think it means more to most of us...
Seriously what is Stewarts excuse...you got true privateers busting their ass driving across country and this washout can't even line up for a few nationals? Not ready? give me an fn break and retire already...such a nosedive this dudes career has taken..reminds me of Pastrana without the Freestyle skills.
Just my opinion of course....
Go Reed...can't believe I said that....
yes- i like reed now. and dont like stewart
All the best to you and your family Chad, You are a true champion and have more hart and desire than most give you credit for.
Go 22 !!
bd200,,, now I see your making excuses for Reed.. " Dont forget he would have 2 more outdoors titles if it wasnt for RC." Give me a break.. Funny how things work one way, but not the other,, isnt it bd200 ???
I agree that CR22 has gotten my respect back the same respect I use to have for JS7. DOnt get that guy, he takes such a beating by everyone (fans) and then has a chance to go out and give it he&& outdoors! Also I would never compare TP to Stewart, Travis career cut short due to injuries from freestyle. But he would not be Travis if he didnt do that crazy s%$t!
Mxmofo, i do remember reed taking a couple of years off and i was just as bummed at him.He came back and earned all the respect he is getting now.What it comes down to, is that im a huge mx fan.It just kills me to see these sx specialists. Im probably a little too harsh on stewart, because in all honesty, i really do want to see him ride. I just dont think he will ever come back to the outdoors.
Reed seems to be in a great place in his life. He's a family man, Team owner, and successful racer who actually loves Just Going Racing! He's "in it" for much more than just to "win it" now. Not worried about records, wins, money, pride (well maybe just a little). Not worried about being called the fastest. He's just happy he's still racing and I'm happy for him.
Whether you like him or not, second in SX with this years talent pool soo deep... Tip your hat to the man.
I've seen Reed racing the outdoors before, if he is happy and comfortable, he's on it. I've seen him knock off more lap times at the end of a race which is amazing. Lets see which Chad Reed shows up at the outdoors. Good luck Reedy!
Reed is the man! Winning, Duh!
bd200 calm down I was joking, Stoking the fire a bit too. LOL But mxmofo does have a point there on ya. LOL
I was never been much of a Chad Reed fan in the past, always thought he was a little arrogant. But after watching the way he performed this year, the way he handled himself, overcoming the huge odds of having a successful season after putting together his own team at the last minute, I have become a fan. Reed shows what dedication and love for the sport he has. I believe he has gained a lot of new fans this year. Other riders should pay attention [ Stewart.]
@Head130 totally agree about TP there. No comparison. TP is multi multi talanted. And even though he stopped racing, he made a much bigger impact for our sport than most champions! Him and the other freestyle founders brought moto into x-games and with that into the mainstream. Now we have Super x in x-games and I can bet TP had a huge part in starting that due to his racing background. A lot of his accomplishments can be attributed to visionary business savvy. If James is slowly stepping away from racing, than I'd love to see him expand his horizons like that in the future, but right now, it's not lookin too good. He's just focused on SX but he ain't making good on it! Wait I take that back; too much focus on reality TV also. And you can't even feel sorry for him because there's nothing wrong with him! Rich, fast, and dumb!
Oh, and sorry for writing this on a Reed article...just easier to write about the guys with problems.
CR is an entrepreneur at heart, I believe efforts like his are only good for our sport. MC did it back in the day, Stewart is doing it to some extent now... I hope to see Reed grow and expand his operation in the short term and even more so once he is finished racing. Hire Dungey!!!
Reed has earned my respect- period. That's all I have to say about that.
Stewart on the other hand- I respect his abilities, but I think he is completely burned out on the sport. I think he enjoys his show and the rest is his job. One piece of evidence to support this theory was his butt patch at Vegas: the Bubba's World logo. Yes, I have the pictures.
Super proud of Chad. Been a fan since his 250f days. Love the new bike, the new gear and the whole attitude that team two two brings to the table. Go team TwoTwo!!!
Much respect for the 22. Great season so far, and i'm stoked that it will continue through the summer. I think Chad will be a contender all the way to the end, it's what he does. It wouldn't shock me to see the 22 bring home another outdoor title.
On a side note, I think the 800 is gonna be WAY READY moto 1 in sacto! Dungey too...
@FroLives... two letters.... RV..... ;)
Chad came here when he was 18, without his family, just him and his girlfriend. Reminds me of Doug Henry and his girlfriend when he first started, he would travel to Florida and live out of his van. They both made it. Chad love him or hate him, did it on his own and made himself a multi millionaire. JS7 has no excuse other than he needs to reevaluate his career and desire to want to ride.
Here we go again. Another childish arguement ready to start. I NEVER made excuses for anyone. All I said was he was going to catch hell for not racing the GP, and NOBODY is catching grief for not running it. And I said he is a very good outdoor rider who finished 2nd to RC twice. Which I feel is very good. Now tell me MOFO what excuses did I make for Reed? NONE take your childish arguements elsewhere. You never contribute anything on here anyway, all you do is rip on guys and start fights.
It will be intersting to see how ol' CR22 does this year outdoors. 2009 outdoors the gate was pretty weak with RV, Stewart, Alessi and K-Dub gone most the time and last year he pretty much through in the towel and opted out of his contract when things got tough... I think Stewart is trying to do the same thing now, only the Yamaha camp doesnt want to let him go like Kawasaki did with Reed...The Yamaha isnt working out and it shows....without Stewart they have nothing......
Go Chad, you have stepped it up again this year. All the best for the outdoors, I can't wait. If its anywhere near the 11 Supercross series it will be epic!
@ bd200,,, READ your quote this time-------
" Dont forget he would have 2 more outdoors titles if it wasnt for RC."
Pretty much sounds like an excuse for Reed not winning,, right ????
People always talk about James' dumb decisions on the track. If Reed wasn't so stupid in Atlanta and stayed in second, he would be holding the #1 plate today. Everyone can pinpoint crashes, DNF's, getting taken out or derailed chains as reasons for not winning the title. Only Chad however can look at one deliberate, intentional move that cost him the title. Funny how no one notices that.
@UNC Guy - no one notices that because your basically wrong. Living in a world of if's is living in an entirely different world. You change one outcome and you change all outcomes thereafter. Say for instance Chad doesn't slam into Stewie, so Stewie wins, then feeling good, wins the rest too. Anyway, step out of your DeLorean Doc Brown and get ready for outdoors!
@UNC Guy - That is a valid point,, except RV was in 3rd before that nonsense and would have only lost 2 points to Reed and would have won the title by 2 points think had he finished 3rd in ATL???.....Reeds ego battle with Stewart got in the way and he made a bad decision...Reed has always played 2nd fiddle to RC and JS and has never been the #1 guy hands down.....it kills him....
MXMOFO, I don't see that was meant as an excuse, just a point as to who he was trying to beat back in the day of RC. Good luck to anyone who could beat RC.
UNC Guy, "IF" is the biggest 2 letter word in the English language. So many scenarios could have played out differently "if" only......this or that. His one intentional move you are pointing out was for the LEAD and 1st place in a heavily stacked field. Yes, we all know how it played out, he took 3rd bumping Stewart off the podium. That was still a huge mental win for Reed IMHO. Without Reeds season long aggressive riding, he would have been back in 4th or 5th at season end.
Bottomline, he manned up to how his season went and by my measurement, he did outstanding for a last minute start up team. Congratulations to him and his crew to what could have been considered one of the biggest underdog titles ever.
I expect CR22 to be on many podiums but as long as RV and RD stay healthy, he won't win the title.
My 2 cents.
I am not a Reed fan at all, however I respect the fact that he's racing outdoors this year, also I feel bad for him because he has never beaten RC or JS, all those championships he won neither one was racing.
@Dean, its not an excuse, I never said "Reeds bike was slow" or nothing like that like the Stewietards do. I said he couldnt beat RC nobody was beating him. But mxmofo just likes to start arguements, its the only thing he ever does here. So dont waste your time...
@Pao- Don't feel bad for him, I'll bet you he doesn't care. And FYI, Chad Reed just beat Stewart. This year. 2011.
Do your always pull stuff out of your butt "bd"? Where in the hell have you seen someone say "stewarts bike was slow"? You are a moron you "Reedtard"!
"UNC Guy wrote:
People always talk about James' dumb decisions on the track. If Reed wasn't so stupid in Atlanta and stayed in second, he would be holding the #1 plate today."
Wow more what ifs? I would say if JS didn't torpedo him off the track he would have the title. RV won & was well deserved, get over it. Outdoors here we come!
Love how the Stewart fans are always OTT. If you have nothing nice to say about Reed, why comment? Coming into the Supercross season he was completely written off, alike Villopoto to some extent. But these two became the top two, so i'm sure all these comments like: "Reeds never gonna win outdoors" are just stupid. If you all were a bit more clued up you may have looked at this supercross season and seen that anything can happen. All these guys probably all average out at the same spees -(with exception to stewart, because he can't mantain it!!) and it's going to be awesome. Mark my words, Reed will get at least one overall, which is a HUGE accomplishement when considering what he's gone through over the past year, along with having to start his own team and the competition: Dungey, RV, Canard, Pourcel, Short, Weimer, Regal, Dietrich, Grant, Stroupe, Kdub and it just goes on.. All of these guys can run up front or have done and Reeds beaten all of them at some point, so no need to put him down..
Reed is fast outdoors. I remember last year when he was sick with that virus and RV passed him and took off. Not long later, Reed was back on his tail before falling off again. That tells me Chad has the speed and with him being all healthy this season, it won't be easy for RV and RD. The wild card now is Pourcel. He could pull a few surprises too.
Reedy can do it for sure. Going to be damn tuff tho.
Reedy wins Outdoors when he finds clever lines on the track that nobody else sees (like RC). When he gets his lines down he can click off some serious laps and get the W. Look at him round 1 2009.
Stewie.... what a hoax.
Not prepared....... Well, I suppose if you were prepared for the 2011 SX season and finished 4th (would have been 5th if Canard didn't get injured) you have no chance in the top 8....
Yeah, I don't like the guy. If I was Reedy on the podium in 2009, I would have smacked the c0cky little EF witt in the jaw.
Nothing to be c0cky about now.
u need to be smacked in the jaw u big shot cmac!!!!
That Braking ad is classic. You can actually see what's on Stewart's mind.
Quit being a puss, use your name. I have heard Stewtards say that a million times when he ws getting destroyed by RC. Saying his 2-stroke was too slow. So go swing on Stewarts nuts all summer while he sits on the couch.
@poa, look at the stats on the "countdown to the outdoors" and look at the stats. Reed beat Stewie several timesin the standings outdoors. Well, twice I think. He hasnt finished behind Stewie anywhere except when Stewie won the supercross title.
oops!my bad guys, I thought the year Stewie finished 6th in the standings that Reed was 4th. He wasnt, my misstake.
Reed, is doing it bigtime, takin it to another level!! Very impressed and a new fan!
Sorry if I upset you princess.
Reed has ridden them all and looks to be riding great on a Honda. Some people are fogetting, he was '09 450 MX Champ.
His "street cred" has rocketed in comparison to JS's bow out of the nats, he'll end the year (and the beginning of new contract time) on a high vs JS's self-imposed exile.
I'm all for Reed doing well, if he comes out with a(nother) title, great for him, Honda, his sponsors, the fans and the sport!
Is anybody forgetting who won Hangtown last year?
you guys are all clowns, kick him when he is down then jump on his band wagon
when he is going good. reed has been a great outdoor rider for many years, its only his focus on sx that cost him some speed outdoors.
he is racing ,he is fit and having fun, imho he will be a threat every week.
and i have been a 22 fan from his days coming to nz to learn and race with the kings.
Carlsbad... One way to look at it.. I think, Reed's main objective, knowing his personality.. wants to recoup and make some sort of profit in the investment he has done in starting his own team.
Do not forget, he gambled on winning at least 3 races to earn all his expenses back.. Or win the SX crown.
That did not happen.. So He is out to ensure his team will be there for the long run.
But, kudos to Reed's focus on the outdoors and now with the support of Honda... shows he has changed somewhat a lot since the yamaha days where he was just an abnoxious rider...
As for the JS debacle.. i think contracts were drawn before the start of the season... And there are things behind the scene we just do not know.
Not defending the guy.. And I agree, if you make that much $$, he could have easily funded his own efforts... But again... Earning huge sums of $$ vs spending it... Have not met many riders doing the second option..
Reed is a straight up badass. As are the other 39 guys that line up at the gate at Hangtown, win or lose, they're all doing what we can only dream of. You may have your favourite riders, but that doesn't mean you need to hate on the other guys. Some of you people that post on these comment boards are absolute idiots. If you knew half as much about racing as you do about starting keyboard fights you'd respect all the riders for the effort they put in, and the determination they show, week in, week out. If you haven't got anything of value to post, don't post, it's pretty simple.
Go Chad real man ride motocross!!!! Good luck
bd200,, Like I said before, funny how things work one way with you, but not the other.. Typical Reed fan I guess.. Its funny how you NEVER seem to answer my simple questions..
Reed will be at every race, ready to win. Barring injury, he'll podium more than half the races and hopefully with a lot of hard work and skill, he'll win a few. Love all the top riders who are in it to win it. Can't win if you stay home. May the best man win!
Racers race! Never was a fan of reed but at least he wants to still race. Smart move not to race gp . Spend the time wisely what of it there is, and prepare for mx series. Would of been a great way to see were ur at with set up though! Good luck reed.
Wish everyone would quit talking about js. Good or bad He's not worth our time.
GO Reed! that black framed honda looks bad ass
@mxmofo, dont see where you asked me a question. You said I was making excuses for Reed and I wasnt. All I said was Reed couldnt beat RC. Where did you ask a question?
bd200, No, you siad this ----" Dont forget he would have 2 more outdoors titles if it wasnt for RC."
My question was --- " Pretty much sounds like an excuse for Reed not winning,, right ???? " If that isnt an excuse, then what is it ??
bd200,, I know what you are saying,, but the point is,, if I would have said that about JS, you would have been all over me like flies on a rib-roast.
I still dont see were I made any excuse for Reed. Never. But Stewie himself has made excuses for not winning Stewie said in an interview right here that his 2-stroke Kawi" was so slow" --Thats an excuse, all I said was Reed is a better outdoor rider than he gets credit for, he would have more titles outdoors, But couldnt beat the top guy RC, and I said NOBODY was beating him. Thats not an excuse, its just an observation that Reed is a good rider outdoors. YOU are just fishing for an arguement.
you bunch of idiots make me laugh with all the childish arguements you write on here! mxmofo you are a TOOL...go REED and everyoneelselining up at the GATE!!!