Reed to Race British and Italian MXGPs in June
When Chad Reed was forced to shutter his TwoTwo Motorsports operation last summer and began searching for a 2016 deal—which he ultimately found via Team Monster Energy/360Fly/Chaparral Factory Yamaha—he made it pretty clear he was no longer interested in racing motocross full-time. Reed, now 34, did indicate some interest in a few guest appearances in the FIM MXGP circuit, and now that has become official. He will race the British Grand Prix at Matterley Basin on June 18-19 and the Grand Prix of Lombardia (Italy) at Mantova on June 25-26.
Reed’s U.S. deal is for supercross only, so he has the freedom to fit races like this into his schedule.
Reed raced the GPs in 2001, and at just 19 he put his name on the global motocross map by finishing second in the 250cc (now MXGP) standings and winning a Grand Prix. Outside of annual appearances for Team Australia at the Motocross of Nations, he hasn’t raced a motocross event in Europe since that ’01 season.
“I have always valued my one and only year in Europe and I'm so excited to come back after all these years,” he said today in a press release. “I briefly mentioned it on social media and many UK and European fans have shown lots of enthusiasm so that in return makes it a ton of fun for me.”
The press release also states Reed, who is backed by Monster Energy and Yamaha here in the U.S, will have the backing of the current reigning champion Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing MXGP team, which will have a YZ450F prepped for his return.
“I haven't really given any thought to the racing itself I'm just excited to see old faces and new fans,” he added.
