Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/128136
great competitor, and that [win] just gave me so much confidence to race with anyone. A week later, I finished third in the Belgian Grand Prix, and for sure it was the best week of my life." It only got better, as Reed eventually climbed to the top step of the podium, winning at the Dutch Grand Prix. It was the first time an Australian rider had won a World Championship Motocross round since Jeff Leisk did so back in 1990. "I was so pumped," Reed said. "To win a Grand Prix before I went to America - it was just the way I would have liked to leave Europe. I had made so much progress in the 2001 season. I turned my attention to trying to finish second in the 250cc series, so the win was just what I needed to improve my chances." As the GP circuit drew to its close, Reed powered to another podium and clinched the runner-up place in the series. By that time, however, he was already focused on his American dream. "To be honest, winning a World Motocross Championship was never in my plans," Reed says. "I just wanted to race supercross, against guys like McGrath, Carmichael and Pastrana. Once I signed for the YoT team, all 1 wanted to do was get to America and prepare." With the Grand Prix season over, Reed began his preparation for the USA. A month after taking the time to win a moto at the Motocross des Nations, Reed came up against 125cc Eastern Regional Supercross Champion and former 125cc National as a very good rider but was not about to overlook a move that he considered dangerous. "I had talked to Chad about racing in my team," McGrath said. "I felt he had good potential; he's fast and seems to have a good attitude. Why he would ride like that, I just can't figure it out. He just took me out. I don't hold grudges, and 1 won't be taking him out. 1 don't ride like that." "He's going to cause some major problems to the riders in the 125cc East Coast Supercross series. He's ready for America, for sure." champ Travis Pastrana at a two-night supercross in Sydney's Olympic Stadium. He won both evenings. "Chad surprised me," Pastrana admitted at the time. "He's going to cause some major problems to the riders in the 125cc East Coast Supercross series. He's ready for America, for sure." High praise, to be sure, but Reed still had a few more lessons to learn during the off season. At the prestigious Bercy race, Reed had a coming-together with McGrath that left the American with a frayed temper. It was a heat-of-the-moment attack on the greatest supercross rider in the world, and an incident the Australian now wishes had never happened. The two had been in an amazing battle for second place in the second final of the first night, with Reed hounding McGrath for the entire race. With only two corners remaining, Reed tried a pass that never had a chance of being successful. Instead of making a great block-pass on McGrath, Reed collided with the Yamaha rider, and both racers went down. Generally a clean rider, Reed had committed the cardinal sin. "I don't ride to take riders out," Reed said after the incident. "I really felt bad after what happened. I'm sure it won't happen again. While I am sorry the accident happened, I'm happy that I could race with McGrath. I want to show that I'm ready for these guys. He's the one rider who I respect more than any other rider in the sport, but I still want to beat him as much as I want to beat anyone else. I want to be the best, and that means beating McGrath, Pastrana or whoever else." As for McGrath, he acknowledged the teenager Despite the unfortunate McGrath incident, Reed produced possibly his best performances at the Bercy event, taking a handful of podiums and clocking lap times similar to those of the winning Vuillemin (and often quicker than those of McGrath, Stephane Roncada and the other competitors). Nonetheless, the event ended on a down-note, as he crashed out on the final night and broke his jaw. With his face still in pain, Reed flew to America, hooked up with OMS' Bobby Moore and began to put in the serious work for his new challenge. He's got a new home, new teammates and a new workplace, but Reed is happy to be living his dream. And the unexpected departure of Yamaha of Troy manager Erik Kehoe to Team Honda actually worked to Reed's benefit, as Kehoe's replacement is Reed's fellow Aussie Craig Dack, with whom Reed worked in 2000. (Apparently, the search for foreign talent has extended to other areas than just on-track talent.) Also accompanying Reed will be his girlfriend, Ellie, who stuck with her man through last year's GP season. Not only that, but Reed has a bit of previous experience Stateside, having tested the Yamaha YZ250F four-stroke back in 2000, before the bike was released to the public. "I know a little about the racing here," Reed says. "I know the tracks are something else compared to Australia or the Grand Prix scene. I'll enjoy the supercross tracks, though. In Australia, the design of the tracks are so different, and I prefer the American tracks for sure. They're so well-designed, so easy to flow on. It's going to be fun." eN WIth a win at the Dutch Grand Prix, Reed proved himself as a winner" and that ultimately scored him a ride with Yama of Troy here In 2002. cue I e n e _ os • JANUARY 9,2002 13