The Moment: Hangtown
Tuesday, May 24, 2011 | 12:00 PM
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PrintChad Reed was not himself last year, but we’ve only discovered that for sure this year. Yes, he did struggle through the 2010 season, logging his worst supercross season ever, and eventually pulling out of the Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship. He sent out a letter explaining that he was suffering from Ebstein Barr virus, and simply didn’t have the strength to keep on racing.
This scenario could have been interpreted two ways: either Reed was really sick, or Reed was just really sick of getting beaten by Ryan Dungey and needed a way out.
After Hangtown, we now know the truth. Clearly, Reed was suffering from an illness last year, because his performance on Saturday afternoon was the exact opposite of what we saw a year ago. After Dungey won the first moto, and took the lead in moto two, the race seemed to be over. If this were 2010, it would have been.
But Reed is healthy now, and lo and behold, a few laps after Dungey took the lead from Ryan Villopoto, something changed. Instead of Dungey just outlasting the field and pulling away, a red fender popped into the picture. It was Reed, and at that moment, it was clear the 2010 Chad Reed was gone, and a much stronger rider had taken his place. Reed was game for the full 30 minutes and two laps, staying with Dungey, passing Dungey, and beating Dungey.
It’s only one race, sure, but it was the type of victory no one could manufacture last season. With Reed proving he’s strong enough to stay in the hunt for the entire moto, there’s only one way to describe this year’s championship fight: it’s on.
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This article Reed as never doing anything last year. Didn't Reed win this race last year? How is this year differ from last when talking about Hangtown. Reed dominated last year and won this year. He could still pull out of the series in a few weeks due to being sick and we would call this summer a failure. Just sayin....
Reed was going for it like it was the last race of the year and not round 1, while I think Dungey took a little different approach to the race and RV was obviously ill just getting points....Reed is a pit bull when he has a chance at the W....but once he gets beat "straight up" (hate those words) as everyone says, he seems to lose his drive ....like last year, as soon as his ego was cracked....he started to go backwards...I also dont understand why Reed winning is a shocker....he is one of the best in the sport....His team is pretty much operated like any other top satellite team or factory team for that matter and he has lots of support.....I think his situation is a little overplayed...Two Two rolled into A1 this year with the bikes, big rig, team shirts, awnings, custom floor mats and all that jazz., so I dont know how you can say they were not ready to go racing as he was riding all off season...just no team to be a part of........and now with Honda playing a bigger role, he should be winning......
This is a very poor article at best, Reed won this race last year with ease, I even remember him saying on the podium that he was surprised how the race win was an easy one.
Jason your reporting is at best very poor, How do you put it out there and discredit even doubt Reeds illness and insinuate he was lying ????
Why dont you report crap like this about your lover boy # 7, we can have all kinds of speculation as to the things he has said and done......but I forgot he can do no wrong and you will always make excuses for him.
You are a VERY bias reporter, one of the worst........
Reed is on a roll but It's a little early to hand him the tittle. They were crowning Bubba the King early in the SX season but that didn't exactly pan out for him. Pourcell thought he had two outdoor tittles in the bag and has nothing to show for it. RD & RV won't let him run away with it.
If this was a year ago....Chad Reed would have won the overall at Hangtown.
How is it that until now we know the truth about Chad Reed?
Do you think Chad need excuses for not riding?
You don't seem to remember that he was the 2009 Outdoor Champion. He beat everyone that was competing that year. And last year broke a wrist and then had a virus condition that has ended prematurely careers of Olympic athletes.
So that lead to a wise decision to cure that condition before damage could have also stopped his great career. And that meant to stop every physical activity.
So the pitiful comment of the possibility that 'Reed was just really sick of getting beaten by Ryan Dungey and needed a way out' is like saying Reed is a lier or that he need excuses for not competing.
But you know what, Reed is in it to win. All that he has been doing just shows it. He doesn't need to prove anything to anyone. His record (still counting) speaks for itself. And now that he is doing it on his own terms, he just will be a tougher competitor, whether you realize it or not.
And everyone on the starting line besides him know that he is a threat for the win every time he lines up.
Here's a shout out to Reed as well...! Im Impressed with K.W., Never seen R.V. settle for a 3rd but may accept that he's thinkin Ship points!
Reed and Kawi both felt last year was a bust. I do not believe Reed had E.B. but he was not happy with the bike. Kawi even said they put the whole deal together really quick and it was not working well.
If you read into it it is likely they decided to part ways and an illness gives both sides a way to save face. Manufacture does not want it to be the bike, Reed is smart enough to know that bagging on the bike and /or Kawi would not win any favors with the other factories, so it all went down with a nice soft landing.
I support how it happened. This sport and industry is a family and as such they need to recognize it and treat it appropriately. There are riders who do not (yeah, we know who).
So, reed is on a bike he is comfortable with, his attitude is good, he is happy and his results reflect it. Cool. I like Green so wish it could have been on the Kawi, but I like the racing and sport of any manufacture.
Go RV! uncork one and let these guysnad the world see just what an outdoor specialist can do.
Hey Yeah iis gonna be another goos season of outdoor racing! I dont think anyone is gonna go and walk off with the tittle. Is gonna be a long 26 motos left for all. We will have to see if Reed did a head nbr on everyone else in that last moto. What is interesting is they only race 30 mts plus 20 laps and cnat last what would they do in the days of 40 mint moto's ????
Oh to my fello posters Ive missed you for a while wile I went and got a new hip so now I am the hippest person on this site lol!!! Cant sit at the puter very long yet but I am up and about still have to use 2 ctrtches but will be walking soon. I was unable to walk without at least 1 crutch for over 3 years. I will get on the puter as much as I can hope to watch Feestone on AliSports Sat. Hope they sho the dedication for Lyyn Nickerson as he was a great person behind the mike and everywhere else!
Take care all!!!
No word about RD saying he got tired?? I was shocked to hear it but he never had to push that hard before either, Last year he would just wear guiys down now he needs to go faster for the whole race. Good year ahead, Justy hope they all saty healthy.
Good luck Welker!! I aways knew you were a Hipster!! LOL
I am amazed I can write a positive story on Reed and yet somehow still be accused of being negative on him. Doesn't make sense to me.
It will be interesting to see what illness Reed has by the time we get to Red Bud and Reed is struggling to finish 5th each race.
good job JW, i thought it was a good article. it never ceases to amaze me at the depth of loyalty a lot of fans have for their favorite rider. of course, with some fans that loyalty gets transferred to hate for other riders lol. it's all good, just do like my grandpa used to tell me; "put ya head down and keep plowin' son". racerx is one of the best magazines/sites for racing news.
Hey Poor Artical, it's spelled article.
P.S. Even though I'm apparently a terrible reporter, I'm telling you what people were saying when Reed first bowed out last year. Lots of people weren't buying it, and I'm reporting that here.
And it looks like some of the people posting here still aren't convinced....
As for the difference between Hangtown last year and this year, Dungey clearly wasn't ready at Hangtown last year. He was, this time, and Reed was still better.
BillC- RD explained that after Reed passed him he made one last attempt to get him back with about 3 laps to go and got close but he was too close to the edge so backed it down and was happy with 2nd in that moto. It had nothing to do with fitness but that Reed was just faster.
What is odd is that after Reed passed him RD fell waaay out of contention, not even in the TV shot for many laps but near the end he was on his rear fender according to those who were reporting the race. What happened that he fell so far behind, a big mistake or ? To bad RD never makes anything even close to an excuse cause it would be fun to hear him bench race a little like he was doing with Reed on the podium and tell us what happened!
Please, Please Kyle Regal show up and race Freestone so you can pass Factory rider Chad Reed not once but TWICE like you did last year on your way to the podium!! Last year...Reeds bike $80,000.00, Regals bike $10,000.00 watching that schooling PRICELESS!!
Chad Reed last year, Factory Kawaski Rig, $350,000.00 plus mechanics, suspension people, managers, etc., Regals, $20,000.00 Sprinter van and a little help and next thing you know Chads tummy was hurtin him.
I think what most of the guys (somewhat inarticulately) are trying to point is that at this time last year, Reed also looked to be on the road to winning a second championship.
It's an interesting start to the year, Reed will have to stay rested so he doesn't succumb to EB again, and RV is also starting the series at some what of a health defecit. Dungey seems healthy, and between the three of them it's highly unlikely that the championship will be decided early. Reed won out early in 09 and then missed a few motos. Same for Dungey last year. After five months of SX, which ever one of these men prevails at the end of the series will have truly gone the distance.
Don't sweat the criticism Weege, I for one appreciate the article and the bench raching it generates!!
I dont think he was having fun last year due to knowing he couldnt ride his bike the way he knows he can, just like Stewart. I was at Hangtown and Reed was on it all day, attacking every lap. If Reed rides like that for the rest of the series he will win the championship
Weege! Nice write up. Let the speculators write what they will. They are only regurgitating information gathered by you, the press, and putting their own twisted opinions to it. F'em, racers race, speculators write in posts.
Go Weege ...Go Weege.... you do a fine job man and good on the TV as well. You report from both sides of the story which is good for your readers...You have your favorite guy I am sure and may agree with some of these guys, but like in Top Gun, you cant let us know your falling for Maverick ....Don't take any of these guys too serious..... opinions are like a-holes and everyone has one......Some people think Reed is a god and some think he is a whiney brat....Some people think Stewart is a thug and some folks think he is oh yes I will say, The Fastest Man on the Planet, including the likes of Trey Canard..... Personally, I like all the " my guy is better than your guy" drama..it brings passion and rivarly to the sport and makes that next race that more interesting....Dungey and Reed will be racing for 2nd and 3rd in a couple races I think as RV gets his stuff dialed.
Some of you can say what you want but we true fans know that CR raced his ass off through the years even while constantly getting beaten by RC and then JS. It is laughable to say he didn't keep trying his best, the tears of frustration at getting beat so much by RC were proof to me how hard he tried as well as watching for the last 10 years. The people that say he "claimed" sickness last year appear rather foolish to me. He has been whiney sometimes, but his racing speaks for itself. He is a true racer that gives it his best far more than the average pro racer that was at any ama race this year. So despite him doing a few things that I havent liked over the years I tip my hat to Chad and respect him deeply as one of the best racers I have had to watch and laugh at the few fans that try to discredit him. I am pulling for RV to win and have been since his first pro year, I was a RC fan, what is it with these little red heads anyway ?
Personally I think that Reed mailed it in last year for a number of reasons - not the least of which is that he didn't like the bike. He has said before he had problems with the bike so I think he just wanted out of Kawi.
Regarding Hangtown - it's not as if Dungey got blown off the track. He came back within striking distance and then didn't have enough in the tank for a pass. This is just the first round. In my opinion Dungey's 1-2 was just as convicing as Reed's 2-1. Dunge-O hasn't even hit his stride yet.
REED #1
reed reed reed who gives a flying piece of crap, not a dungey fan but props to him for showing he may have an * next to his supercross title but i think he has a good chance of hanging onto to that plate, bottom line reed could of kept racing he just kept getting id ass handed to him, even at his worst in conditioning he was top five top ten but that wasnt good enough, its good enough for the other riders to put there heart in soul into racing just to get a decent finish, beat him dow dungey, beat him down and he will crumble and go backwards, to all you a-holes that continue to talk about james, if you race, wether its novice int. or pro next time you scrub a jump thank james for schooling you on that, name one other person who can dominate on a 125 against 250 4 strokes and can dominate everyone but ricky on a 250 2 stroke when the rest of the field was on 4 strokes.
@raddad... I am pretty sure RD said he ran out of gas... Or something like that he told Erin bates.
Well said TomKtm... It is round 1 and much more racing to go. Bates said " Chad you dominated this race" to which Chad replied " I wouldnt call it dominating"...... Chad knows that RD and RV have pleanty to offer and Chad was going full throttle for the W and almost went down a couple times.....Long series and RV is just getting primed....he can start just about anywhere and get top 3.....
Just my opinion, but what's the use of having an overall winner if it means nothing in the points? I suppose it coould mean something if there was a tie at the end of the season, but why not additional points awarded for the Overall? RD and Reed head into Freestone tied...just seems logical, maybe I'm missing something here.
WEEGE- why even bother commenting back to this forum of freaks?- you do what you do, others race at a pro level none of us will ever experience, and all the rest of us just spout crap. yep crap.babble.back-and-forth drivel.
Weege,
Don't waste your time responding to these fools. Your online reporting is on par with pretty much everyone else, and your skills in front of the camera are off the chain, man. I will admit that I was getting pretty sick of all the Stewart butt-kissing that went on for the last several years, but that was certainly not exclusive to your reporting, and it seems to be getting better across the board. Hopefully, the media has finally come to their senses on that matter. Anyhoo, keep up the good work. The entire RacerX crew has got it going on, including you. I think it's awesome that you, Ping, DC, and others make yourselves "available" on these forums, but here's a tip: only reply to the positive stuff. When you reply to the fools, they think that put's them on your level, but it doesn't. Instead, it puts YOU on THEIR level. An old Chinese proverb says that it is impossible for a wise man and a fool to argue. Keep these idiots in their place, Weege. The rest of us love you.
Oh, I almost forgot, great ride CR22!!! We love you, too. RD, RV...pick it up.
Great minds think alike, Mr. G. By the time I posted that, you had beaten me to it.
Im still a huge fan of you Weege but I honestly didn't like the article. It's almost like numbers, you can manipulate information into any kind of story you want. Reed won hangtown last year and then won it again this year. Lets hope this year isnt a disappointment like last year. So far the two years are off to the same start.
Agreed Dungey was more prepared this year going in and Reed still beat him although with Reeds domination of the event last year, I don't think Dungey would have beat him then wven if he were on his A game.
This article was spot on weege some people do not comprehend what they read. It is obvious Reed was sick last year because he would tire out. Here is what people forget, RC and JS are two of the fastest riders in motocross history and when Reed had to race them he looked too slow in outdoor motocross but he did get third. Dungey and all the others racing now would have been smoked by those two guys as well. So now Chad is right in the mix and in fact he may have improved a bit. So this will be an outstanding outdoor season because of the parity of three riders. RC is the one rider that comes along every 70 years, if ever. No rider in history dominated his competition like he did or even came remotely close. So personally I am not surprised at all by what CR is doing its a level playing field now.
Mr. Weigandt:
You state - This scenario could have been interpreted two ways: either Reed was really sick, or Reed was just really sick of getting beaten by Ryan Dungey and needed a way out.
Reed could not have faked the virus. It is a very serious virus. You did, to some degree, call into question Reed’s character by referencing him possibly needing a “way out” for the season. Reed went down hard many times this SX season and never gave up or gave us even a remote reason to say he was a quitter or call his character into question. Plus, Reed was the defending MX Champ last year and had every incentive (personal and monetary) to stay in and fight.
That being said, your quote may actually qualify as the most “civil insult” to be posted on any of these boards. Some people here are just downright brutal and cruel. For one, I do appreciate the true opinions of everyone, even when there is controversial stuff.
P.S. You do an excellent job reporting for SX, MX, Arenacross, and in print media. Keep being honest. It is refreshing.
This is an amazing commercial for Honda. A man on a private Honda beating the factory bikes. I bet they are feeling lucky at Honda :)
Hey Weege, what happened? Nobody likes you today. Looks like your on the same stage as that other guy whos name we won't mention." Fastest reporter on the planet".
Jason Weigandt: I don't recall Reed being beaten (for the "W") very often by Dungey...
If I recall Reed spent most of the '10 SX season injured &most; of the Outdoor season out with an illness.
EV is a very serious condition, My wife is on perminant disability because of it, A Athlete in the physical condititon of Reed, or any top level Moto rider can keep it under control with rest, and diet. It isn't something you can fake. Last year he battled a bunch of stressful personal issues, His baby being born, the death of Sharky, ect.. Stress can bring on the EV and combined with exsessive training is probably what cause it. He is my favorite rider, but it looks like he is back to winning. Lets see what next weekend and the race after that brings before we give Reed or anyone the title yet.
not buying it......are you a JS7 superfan? You talk sh*t about Reed and try to discredit him while your JS sits on the couch making excuses. Typical....
If Reed would have bobbled in the last couple of laps, Dungey could have won and this topic would be toast. Both riders were fast and strong. It's only round 1 so there will be more interesting results to come.
I think Honda played their cards well, they probably have Reed riding and winning for them at fraction of the price he was asking before the year started.
Wow!
I'm glad everyone has an opinion about CR. But I think the real reason he's putting his best foot forward this year is because HE just started a business which depends on him performing at his highest level whatever that might be. If he doesn't perform he loses sponsors and loses money. Another way to look at is he happy with what he's put together Team 22 and he really wants to prove himself.
As he said I'm having fun! It alot easier to preformwhen your having fun. This all sounds silly but if your happy working with you're co-workers it's easierto show up!
Let's go racing!!!!!
how about Stewart? can we say scared? he's NOT the fastest man on the planet unless he's outa control.when any other star got beat they just went & worked harder not cryed & ran & hid. prove me wrong James
@Thomas L, Reed is on a Factory Honda, He even said it after the race, he said " I am going to ride the wheels of this factory Honda"
James "bubba" Stewart CANNOT race outdoors at this moment due to a contract it seems...The L&M contract, JSE purchasing the team and all that jazz has appeared to have turned into a legal quagmire..They began testing outdoors in hopes things would be resolved and "ready"....Anyone notice Larry Brooks is in hiding?????...James is not scared of anyone, dont be lame....Bubba had a rough year no doubt, but when he was on, nobody touched him...there is no denying that....If this was a James issue only, Kyle Regal would be out there racing......
Don't sweat it Weege. You know what they say, Every ones got an opinion, and most of the tie they stink. I think your story is spot on, and yes that is my opinion. I'm not sure if Reed was sick last year or not. I personaly think that last year was the result of many different problems all piled up.
He was on the Kawi clearly wasn't working out for him, plus the injury to his wrist,and EB. Maybe it was just the excuse he needed. Maybe he was just burned out. The guy has been doing this for his whole life and sometimes we just need to step back and recarge the batteries.
Fact is none of us bench racers who sit here and spit our opinions at these message boards will ever know how it feels to be better than everyone in the world but one or two guys. Reed is a warior, he has battled and beaten the very best that our sport has to offer. And weather we like him or not, none of us can deny the heart and talent that he has. Reed is not done, not by a long shot. And anyone who wants to write him off can only make themselves look silly.
Having said that, GO DUNGENATOR!
bigtireguy.. tnx for clarifying the Epstein-Bar virus.. Good friend of mine had it..
Rubbish even to suggest that CR wud fake it... He had a very good deal going at Kawi... It just so happened, the bike and himself or the team just was not meant to be.
Plus, with all those huge sums involved in the contracts.. One can not just fake it...
HELLLLLLO!!!.. That is also what I read in a another french forum dedicated to the sport... Brooks very, very looooooong family time indicates that the buying the remaining shares of L&M racing is becoming a costly affair... Ask Reed... He is also still embroiled in some legal battle with Brooks regarding $$ L&M still has to pay Reed for the 08' season...
But as matthes also pointed out.. yamaha is not paying any incentives to JS if ever he rides the nationals.. As the agreement with JS was a SX only deal.
Stupid of JS.. And very stupid to become entangled with Brooks regarding the take over of the team... But yeah.. what do you expect... Most of these riders have barely finished high school through some home schooling program..
Anyway, RV will be fit the next race.. He's still the clear favorite for the nationals
Reed was sick, he has a list of Doctor's with years of expertise that would wipe the floor of the court room with anyone accusing him of lying and damaging his future earning potential.
He's probably one of the most intelligent people in the sport and could easily go into a leadership role at any of the OEMs. He's Australian, which means he'll do it until he gets tired of it and then he'll move on. Australian's don't work for 30 years in a factory and then sit in a rocking chair until they die and call that success.
He might win, so might any of them that line up. That's why the sport isn't boring-anything can happen and probaly will.
RV will be the one to beat he is showing me from his last 2 races in vegas and then Hangtown that he is not only blazing fast. Look at lap times in Vegas and Hangtown but he is also smart and knows his limits and when to push and when not to push. I know James dad and have ridden at the track at his home so dont want to say anything bad but his problem is he doesn't want to admit that on a given day he can be beat so he does what my boyfriend did when he was a hot Mini rider. If he couldn't win he would crash and he told me that he was always known as someone who always Won if he didn't crash and for someone that was more respected than not being the Fastest that day. By the way I am a chick hence the boyfriend comment. Go Chad and don't forget to say hi to me on facebook or twitter.
Come on, guys, don't pick on Weigandt, he's doing a hell of a lot of motocross coverage and he deserves some respect. I'm glad he's out there reporting on all this Epstein-to-Epstein racing (get it? har har).
We should be glad Reed won the series opener, since he probably won't win many more this year, and remember this: he was under the weather last year, and who was the one under the weather this year? Villo the skill-o, who gave 4th to the brillo. We can expect Villo "Fa rill doe" poto to go toe to toe wit da flow ta show a hoe mo mojo doe. Nomesane? Word.
Its pretty lame that we have this amazing FREE site to get all our news, and we can comment all day, and DOUCHEBAGS still rip on the guys who put this site together. Its embarressing. Talk about looking the gift-horse in the mouth. How happy would you crybabies be if they shut the site down??
WEEGE, good job and a good article. And the haters just dont like Reed, period, no matter what he will do nothing right to them. Even though he chased down and passed Dungey, and beat RV both motos. I'm not a giant Reed fan, but I defend him because he can ride well. Guys say he sucks and cant win nothing or cant beat Stewie. He has done both, and still is.
hey bd200 your right but boy it is fun to see how ignorant and biased people can be and actually gives us intelligent people something to laugh at. Just as all the riders work so hard so do the writers of these almost always great articles.
Weege,
Strong words, but honest - and it does provoke a response by all. That is the goal of all art. We all like to opine about the performances of young men on powerful toys, but I don't take either the article or the comments seriously because I view this whole category of my life as entertainment, as we should all do. Viva la competition! Viva la differance! Viva! Viva! Viva!
@jairtime,
Word!
@pizzacorner, your post lost me. Reed did win the overall, this year and last year.for this round right??