Catching Up With Chad Reed
swapmoto
- January 05 2009
- 11,800 views
- 40 comments
Catching up With Chad Reed
By Donn Maeda
It was an exciting series opener for defending Supercross Champion Chad Reed. Having topped the field in times qualifying, Reed was poised and ready to race when the gate dropped on the 20-lap main event, and it showed. After stalking rival James Stewart in the early stages of the race, Reed got the crowd on its feet when he dove underneath Stewart and took over the lead. Stewart struck back a couple laps later, but disaster struck when the lead duo collided just before the whoops. While Stewart was struck again by Kevin Windham and eventually walked off the track when his bike would not restart, Reed soldiered on to third place, in spite of having no front brakes. We caught up with the Supercross Champion to get his take on the series opener…
reed12.jpg
It’s now the day after Anaheim 1, which was arguably the best series opener ever. Looking back on the events of last night, what are your thoughts?
It was a good night! Typically, Anaheim is a slick track and a brutal first round. This year, however, we had perfect dirt; the dirt was tacky, and we had overcast skies throughout the afternoon. The track was long and fast; I think lap times were around a minute long, which is the longest track we’ve had in a long time. I had a good start in the main event and went to the front of the pack right away. James [Stewart] had the holeshot, but he made a mistake and I was able to move around him. From there, I tried my best to put in some good laps and ride my own race, but I made a few little mistakes myself that allowed him to move around me. I think we were getting set to battle, but he missed a shift and I ran straight into the back of him. I had nowhere to go; I was already committed to my line and we both went cartwheeling through the whoops.
What was going through your mind when you were flying through the air?
It happened so fast that I didn’t even know what happened at first. I knew I didn’t cross lines or do anything wrong. I set up for the next turn and accelerated… I was actually going from the left to the right so that I could be on the inside of James in the next corner. Being the second place guy allowed me to take the opposite lines of James, and I was trying to set it up so that I would pass him back through that whoop section. I was kind of crossing lines, but he missed a shift and I hit him hard (laughs). It was pretty gnarly. I hit him so hard that I instantly started flying through the air. I was going upside down and asking myself what the hell just happened? When I got up, I saw him two whoops ahead up me all upside down. I was just thinking about getting back on the bike as fast as possible, and I was able to remount. I bent my front rotor. My front brake pads were rubbing, so I tried pumping them, but they would just lock up every time I went off a jump. I had a few close encounters with that, and I hit my head pretty good, so I was a little dazed the whole time. It took me a while to get my focus, plus I had to learn how to ride the bike without a front brake. I started down shifting into first gear to get the engine breaking working so that I didn’t have to totally rely on my rear brakes. The last five laps I started riding a lot better and was catching [Andrew] Short at the end. It sucks, though, because even if I did catch up to Shorty I wouldn’t have been able to pass him.
We all know that hitting your rear brake in the air drops the front end, but what the heck does the bike do when your front wheel locks up over a jump?
(Laughs) Dude. It drops a hell of a lot faster in the air, that’s for sure! It gives the bike this feeling of dead weight, and you have no control over it. When you go off the finish line jump, you lean to the right to setup for the next turn. Well, my front end locked up going over the finish line jump, and it freaked me out. I was also freaking out a little because I saw that I was in third, but Ivan [Tedesco] was right on me and Tim Ferry was right there, as was Ryan Villopoto. I knew those guys were hard charges and weren’t going to give up, so I put my head down and tried to learn how to ride my bike by down shifting and all that stuff. Eventually, though, I was able to pull away from those guys and focus on Shorty instead of the guys behind me. Overall, I felt like I had a good pace and a good 20 laps in me. I was ready for a good battle, and who knows what would have happened if James and I didn’t come together. I think I had some really good lines, and I had a good feel for the bike; I felt like I had a win in me.
Aside from the bike being a different color, you look like an entirely different rider on the bike. When you and James were battling, you appeared to be in control and you weren’t hanging it out at all. Has your riding style changed now that you’re on the Suzuki?
I am tired of comparing one thing to another (laughs). I think all of the bikes are so close, but I find that the RM-Z450 really suits my riding style. I feel very comfortable on the bike, and I love the way it turns and handles. It’s by far the best four-stroke I’ve ever ridden. It really feels like my 250 two-stroke days because I have the feeling that I’m able to turn anywhere I want to. I can grab a hand full of throttle and know that the bike is going to go exactly when I need it to go. All of those things inspire me to go riding every single day. My bike is consistent, and I believe that we can continue to build and build and build. The entire package just fits me really well, and I think I’ve gelled with the team really well. We’ve only had two races in the United States, and both of those races we’ve had issues with cartwheeling and losing brakes. Hopefully, though, we have the brake issues out of the way (laughs).
How important is it to set the fastest lap time in the final practice session? Does it give you an advantage when you line up knowing that you’ve posted the fastest lap time of the day?
It’s obvious that lap times come from feeling comfortable with the track and your bike. If you don’t feel comfortable, you don’t go fast. In the first practice session, I struggled with some of the changes that we made to the bike prior to Anaheim 1. The track was kind of fast and got pretty rough, so we had to make some changes to the bike so that it would feel better out there. Either way, the track was tough, but the sand section was fun and the dirt was awesome. We made some good changes before that second practice, and I put together some solid laps and ended the practice session with the fastest lap time.
Have you spoken with James since the race?
No. I actually walked by their semi after I left the podium and I saw his dad. I asked Big James where he was and he told me he was in the bus. I wanted to make sure he was okay. I hit the ground pretty hard myself, and I know James went two whoops further than I did. I know when I got up off the ground that he wasn’t looking too good, but I hope he is doing okay. I just want to battle; I want to be in that battle. I want to step it up and race with the guy and take this thing all the way to Vegas; may the best man win. We have a rivalry, but I think it’s going to be a good one this year. We both want to win and we both work really hard, and that’s what racing is all about.
Your tangle with Bubba reminded me of your tangle with LaRacco at Anaheim a few years ago.
(Laughs) Yeah. I guess so. That was really wild. James and I were setting a good pace, and I dipped down in the 59-second range, and James dipped down into the 59-second range as well. I think we were just getting into our groove, and I think we were going to have a really good race. I felt like I was in control and my lines were really good. The whole crash really was a shame. The race was live on the Speed Channel, and we need to have good battles and excitement. We had the excitement, but the battle ended a bit early (laughs).
In closing, how badass is your new gear?
(Laughs) I love my gear. Thor did an awesome job. I had their graphic designer, Mo, send me the different styles and that was the one I selected. We also worked on the helmet a lot. They wanted to go in one direction while I wanted to go in a different direction, but I was pumped because I got my own way (laughs). I think it turned out well! A lot of people were complimenting me on the gear. It’s fun to be the lead guy in Thor and have some cool things. I have two more one off sets that I’ll have later on in the year. They’ll have some more Rockstar flavor to them. I’m excited to spice it up a little bit.
Thanks for the time, Chad.
No problem, see you next week!
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January 5th, 2009 at 8:55 am
Speed TV: “What happened out there James?!”
Bubba: “Crashed.”
Man, Bubba was HELLA pissed! Anaheim was a freakin death trap this year!
January 5th, 2009 at 10:31 am
yeah that race was crazy.. the crash was pretty much both their fault.
Bubba:” I Crashed.”, funny as hell…
January 5th, 2009 at 10:44 am
Yes Bubba crashed, but at least now we know we have a season. He would have run away with it and I STILL dn’t understand why these guys let a non fuel-injected Yamaha get the hole shot and check out. At least make the guy work for it and come thru 4 or 5 guys. Oh yeah, GO VILLOPOTO!
January 5th, 2009 at 11:38 am
Anaheim fans are wrong for booing Reed like they did, he is 1 of the fastest riders in the world and without him we wouldnt see a battle. Next time Anaheim have some respect, you were a joke at the first round!!!
January 5th, 2009 at 11:43 am
THATS RIGHT BUBBA STARTING A FEW POINTS BACK IS THE ONLY WAY TO MAKE THE RACE FAIR. NOW WE GOT IT. LETS WATCH HIM GET RIGHT BACK UP. HONESTLY I THINK IF HE DIDINT CARSH WE WERE IN FOR ANOTHER PERFECT SEASON. I THINK THE BEST SX WAS THE 2005 TORONTO RACE WHERE BUBBA DEBUT THE NEW 450KX. HE WENT DOWN FIRST TURN CAUGHT UP WITH RICKY LET RICKY PASS HIM THEN GOT HIM BACK AND STILL WON. THATS THE DAY BUBBA EARNED MY RESPECT. TO THIS DAY I HAVE NOT SEEN A RACE LIKE THAT.
I AM HAPPY FOR REED. WOULD BE COOL IF HE CAN PASS JS AND MAKE IT STICK BUT BUBBA IS AN ANIMAL ON THE TRACK. U GOTTA TAKE HIM OUT IN ORDER TO WIN. I WAS SURPRISED TO SEE GRANT. GO JOSH
January 5th, 2009 at 12:10 pm
chad reed is a chump
January 5th, 2009 at 1:28 pm
chads quad pass on stewart was so beautiful! This is not ” james stewarts ” run away season! Like all the bubba fans ” think” Reed will run head to head! And man, someone have to watch out for R.V when he become consistent and ” no mistake”
January 5th, 2009 at 2:42 pm
Yeah, that was pretty weak of Anaheim to Boo Reed, it was the same thing when we boo’d Ricky back in the day when everyone thought he took out Pastrana but it was really Pastrana’s fault. Bubba was the man though and said it was no one’s fault, heres to a badass season!
January 5th, 2009 at 3:39 pm
you can see in the vid that bubba hit neutral or something. bubba is not going to walk away with it chad reed now has the advantage and will prove to everyone he can win a championship even when the competition is healthy.
January 5th, 2009 at 4:54 pm
bubba is still going to win so chad better suck it up
January 5th, 2009 at 5:06 pm
Bubba reminds me so much of a young Ricky when he was coming up behind Jeremy–a little too eager to prove himself, a little too eager, and a little too reckless at times.
I DVR’d the race, and watched that crash over, and over again. Bubba’s body position tells the story–he came out of that corner, and all of a sudden, leaned way forward on the bike–because he was expecting the pull of the throttle to pull him BACKWARD, and it DIDN’T. He CLEARLY missed a shift! I know–I’ve done it myself, trying to stay a millisecond ahead of 2nd place.
It’s a dumb, amateur mistake–and one you hate to admit to. especially at the level James and Chad are at. I wanted to hate Reed for it–but it just wasn’t his fault. He’d have to be insane to try to bump Bubba’s rear tire at that point of the track, at that speed! Anyone who thinks that, has obviously never raced, much less ridden competitively!
Bubba screwed up, and had the positions been reversed, the result would have been exactly the same.
January 5th, 2009 at 5:09 pm
This is Reed’s season to lose. He can run Stewarts pace without breaking a sweat. That #1 plate isnt going anywhere.
January 5th, 2009 at 6:43 pm
haha tht crash was all bubbas fault ….. glad he crashed out im tired of seein his ass win alll the time…RV wont be able to match the pace of reed and stewwart…h showed at A1 tht he is true rookie and his mistakes showed tht……rv2 is sooooo overated….bubba isnt the fastest guy now…ppl have matched is pace…..jst like reed did and it caught him off gaurd…..im glad to see grant get a win
January 5th, 2009 at 7:17 pm
Are you The J-bone?
January 5th, 2009 at 7:43 pm
You must have really hated watching “The King” win all the time. Nah, you probably aren’t old enough to have watched him race. Judging by your “hater” comments, you’re only 12 years old.
Anyway, before the end of the season, you’ll probably hate posting this comment:
aaron, 2009-01-05 18:43:33
“……rv2 is sooooo overated”.
January 5th, 2009 at 8:10 pm
Truth of the matter is they are both VERY good riders. Plain and simple. As an Aussie I’d love to see CR win again but history shows Bubba’s got the form and the ability to beat him. Love to Villo in there too. 3 battle throughout the year will create the best season in history. Cant wait. If only I didnt have to watch it on youtube to see a scratchy home vid. COME ON AUSTRALIA.. GET UP WITH THE TIMES.
January 5th, 2009 at 8:16 pm
HEY AARON IF U THINK BUBBA ISN’T THE FASTEST GUY U PROBABLY DIDNT REALIZE HE WAS AHEAD OF REED WHEN THEY CRASHED.
January 5th, 2009 at 8:44 pm
Stewart hasn’t raced supercross in 11 months. He has raced 27 AMA races in the past year, while most have raced 42. He just went perfect in motocross, which is almost a completely different sport than supercross. He just switched every sponsor he has every known besides Oakley. He had no idea where he was atand came out and got the holeshot, and well he made a mistake, and took Chad and Kevin Windham out in the process, but I think it was Windhams fault for hitting Bubba. If you are down in the whoops the first thing you do is get out. So before you go bashing Bubba, ask yourself if YOU could come back from two knee surgeries in a season and then go undefeated, and then almost win an epic race in supercross. Until you “aaron” convinces me that HE could, he is an ignorant fan. GGGOOOOO Tedesco
January 5th, 2009 at 9:24 pm
Looked like a fluke missed shift by Bubba..but I think bubba knows how to beat Chad the easy way.
Let him have his little 5 second lead for a couple laps,then blow by him.
3 or 4 races of that,and Reed will drop like a prom dress.
But I hope Chad proves me wrong.
January 5th, 2009 at 9:35 pm
No bites yet… anyone in Aust got access to footage (live-ish) rather then youtube….. pleeeeeeeassseee!!!
January 5th, 2009 at 9:45 pm
you fuckers sound like you are in grade school!!! Jesus, gimme a break…
January 5th, 2009 at 11:29 pm
I am hoping that Chad Reed will win this year, it’s time for a change of pace
January 5th, 2009 at 11:49 pm
how bout that sikkk pass reed put on bubba….bubba aint slowin` down and waiting anymore! TRANSWORLD……..HINT/HINT,webcast the supercross races……HINT/HINT!!!!!!
January 5th, 2009 at 11:51 pm
TRANSWORLD……..HINT/HINT,webcast the supercross races……HINT/HINT!!!!!!
January 6th, 2009 at 4:42 pm
Hey Dunny,
Try the full noise site, a guy has dropped a link for part of the race and the crash in the forum section.
January 6th, 2009 at 6:22 pm
Gee, that was insightful. You said this Anonymous.
January 6th, 2009 at 6:34 pm
Did anyone think that maybe Bubba didn’t miss a shift and just maybe the bike broke???? He didn’t get it started did he???? It happened to Dungey too!!!!
January 7th, 2009 at 2:20 am
NO REED TOOK HIM OUT. THE 3RD TIME HES DONE THIS. 1ST IN TORONTO AND ST LOUIS AND NOW AT A1. I WAS LIKING HIM WHEN HE WAS LEADING BUT I JUST LOST RESPECT FOR HIM. WE WERE IN 4 A GOOD RACE UNTIL HE TOOK BUBBA OUT. YEAH IT COULDA BEEN A MISTAKE BUT RC DIDNT HIT BUBBA EVEN ON MCGRATH DAYS. REED WAS PISSED BUBBA CAUGHT UP TO HIM. BY THE WAY WHEN REED PASSED BUBBA, HE HAD LET HIM BY. LOOK AT THE TAPE. BUBBA LOOKS AT CHAD AND MOVES OVER SO THEY DONT CRASH. IF CHAD KEPT IT CLEAN I WOULD SUPPORT HIM BUT NO HE HAS TO BE DIRTY. U DONT RIDE IN SOMEONES LINE, PERIOD. THATS WHY EVERYONE WAS BOOING AT REED AT A1.
HE HAS LOST SOME FANS FO SHO
January 7th, 2009 at 2:21 am
REEDS A DIRTY RIDER. I LOST RESPECT FOR HIM
January 7th, 2009 at 12:32 pm
stewart is the fastest dude out there no doubt only way reed will beat him is if stewart goes down
January 7th, 2009 at 1:01 pm
if bubba stewart missed a shift,wouldn`t we have heard the loudest panic-rev???
January 7th, 2009 at 6:42 pm
that was pretty good when he said that it had me laughging for sure
January 7th, 2009 at 6:44 pm
reed caught up to stewart before crashing so i dont know about that
by the way does anyone like stewart betteer on a 125 instead on a 450. i got this huge like 8 foot long poster of him scrubing at shougal and he can scrub it out on a 125
January 7th, 2009 at 6:47 pm
see theres my point reed is faster than jamie stewart
January 7th, 2009 at 10:18 pm
99% of them ARE in grade school! LOL!
January 7th, 2009 at 10:30 pm
If anyone is actually stupid enough to believe that Reed purposely hit Stewart’s rear tire with his front tire, they are complete fools. They probably think No-Law’s riding is clean and on point, too.
January 7th, 2009 at 10:55 pm
something else happened then him hittin neutral because there is no way hes comin out of the corner in first gear on a 450
March 1st, 2009 at 9:04 am
HEY I THINK YOU ARE SO GOOD AND SOOOO HOT !!!!!!!!!! I RIDE A KAW KX 85 ! AND I TRY TO BE LIKE YOU ON MY DIRT BIKE . SO BYE
March 1st, 2009 at 9:11 am
HEY MARRY ME !!! PLZ I LOVE YOU IF ONLY YOU COULD BE MY AGE AND MY BOYFRIEND.HEY COME TO DIVER ELUMETRY SCHOOL. BYE XOXOXOXO
May 27th, 2009 at 1:46 pm
your the fastest rider I've ever seen i watch super cross every time it comes on. i think you are gone beat James stewart