Cycle News

VOL. 51 ISSUE 1 JANUARY 7, 2014 P53 CHAD REED: "SATISFIED, NOT PUMPED" Not many gave the 31-year-old Chad Reed a chance of getting on the podium, but the racer/ team owner did just that after putting in a solid ride in his first race aboard a Kawasaki after spending the last few years on Hondas. Reed's doubters, however, might've had an argument when you consider his subpar performance towards the end of last year's Supercross Series and pretty much all through the following outdoor series. But the veteran Aussie showed everyone at Angel Stadium that he is indeed not quite finished yet. Despite getting on the podium with a third-place finish on his TwoTwo Motosports/Discount Tire Kawasaki, he said that he was "satisfied [but] not pumped" with third, part of which had to do with knowing that two riders ahead of him fell. But he did what they didn't do and that was keep it on two wheels for all 20 laps, and that's all part of racing. "I feel that I needed to rise to the occasion and take advantage of a night like this and I didn't, so I'm disappointed in the result," Reed said. "But I'm satisfied with a third. For me, it's funny, everybody thinks, 'wow, you're on the podium,' but for me, I expected this. I didn't work my ass off and pay millions of dollars on a race team just to come out here and just be a part of the 22 guys. I expect to try to do this every weekend." Reed admitted that the excitement of starting the year (Top) James Stewart (7) worked his way up through pack before crashing while trying to pass for the lead. (Bottom) Ryan Villopoto (1) grabbed the holeshot, but slid out while leading. 2. Ryan Dungey (KTM) 3. Chad Reed (Kaw) 4. Ryan Villopoto (Kaw) on a new bike and having his son, Tate, join him during opening ceremonies, might've caught up to him during the race. "It [opening ceremony] was special and adds up to how tonight was," Reed said. "I put a lot of pressure and focus on the off season and I felt like I came here well prepared, probably the best that I've been prepared ever. Knowing that and having fun, unique opportunities like that with Tate, I think the excitement got to me a little bit, so when there was an opportunity for me to win – I just rode tight and didn't have a good flow. Then I had to think what's it worth to throw it on the ground – two of my main competitors had already done that - so let's just try and put this thing on the box and get good 20 points. "Last year was such a brutal year," he added. "I was so out of shape that I think I just came in here excited to have the feeling I had this off season and feel like I can be a part of what I've always been a part of [a title contender], and I think the emotions kind of got to me a little. I knew the opportunity was there [to win] and those guys weren't riding away and the pace wasn't gnarly. The track was slick and you had to respect it. We saw two great guys go down, so I just kind of played it – I wouldn't say smart - but just satisfied I made it on the podium. "It's live and learn I guess. Thirteen years in you think you'd know a lot, but I got excited and I guess I kind of choked." 5. Justin Barcia (Hon) 6. Justin Brayton (Yam) 7. Josh Grant (Yam) 8. Broc Tickle (Suz) 9. Andrew Short (KTM) 10. Jake Weimer (Kaw) 250 MAIN 1. Jason Anderson (KTM) 2. Cole Seely (Hon) 3. Zach Osborne (Hon) 4. Dean Wilson (Kaw) 5. Cooper Webb (Yam) 6. Justin Hill (Kaw) 7. Darryn Durham (Kaw) 8. Malcolm Stewart (Hon) 9. Jessy Nelson (Hon) 10. Austin Politelli (Yam)

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