Motocross Performance Magazine Canadian Motocross news leader
Very few people in our sport were prepared for what we witnessed at Ironman Raceway last Saturday. Yes, there had been talk about the possibility of Chad Reed lining up for the Auto Trader JGR Suzuki Team, however to most of us it was only talk. Then, with just a few days to go before the gate dropped on the final round of the Lucas Oil Series, it was announced that the 36-year-old Reed would be lining up.
Love him or hate him, no one can say that Chad Reed doesn’t make headlines whenever he races. Not only is he Australia’s most famous motocross export, but with almost two decades of racing in the USA now on his resume, he is without doubt a legend. After a difficult season earlier this year in SX, Reed has made it clear that he wants to get as fit as he possibly can to race one more Monster Energy SX Series in 2019. However, he wants to do it with factory equipment and not with any of his own money. While Reed does come with years of baggage and the odd bridge burnt, I believe this is not too much to ask.
Yes, we have champions now like Eli Tomac and Ken Roczen, but these riders haven’t reached the legendary status of Chad Reed. During his 16 year career in the USA, Reed has battled Hall of Famers like Jeremy McGrath, Ricky Carmichael, James Stewart, Ryan Dungey, Ryan Villopoto, as well as the current crop of young guns. Once he is gone into retirement, I feel like there will be a huge void in American pro racing. Oh sure, the next generation will eventually step up and fill it but it’s going to take some time. For this week’s Yamaha Motor Canada Behind the Lens, we take a look back at some Chad Reed photos from his incredible ride in the Ironman Raceway mud. All photos are courtesy of Frank Hoppen.
