Page 70 - Issue-35

Chad Reed
450 SX / OKLAND
IMAGE / MPG WORDS / ROEWER DESIGN / WILSON
>> Chad Reed headed into round 5 in Oakland, California fresh off the podium. Progressively getting better through the season, Reed had some high expectations for this weekend’s round. The Yamaha Fac- tory Racing rider qualified into the night show back in tenth place. Not quite as far forward as he was hoping heading into the bar banging night of racing. The first heat race Reed spent battling with Cole Seely, another incredibly talented Supercross rider. He was able to hold onto his fourth place transfer spot out of the first heat race. Getting to take a breather before the main event Reed was able to charge into the main event refreshed and ready to go. The start wasn’t so smooth
for the Yamaha Factory racing rider getting pinched off heading into the first corner pushing him back around fifteenth. With a lot time to make up on Reed was charging hard considering some intense track conditions. Only a couple minutes in he passed Brayton for fourteenth where he stayed for the next few laps. About six minutes into the race he gained himself another two hard earned positions up into twelfth. Inching his way closer and closer to the top ten Reed was really fo- cused on not succumbing to all the ruts laid out across the track. With ten minutes to go he finally made his way into the top ten, carrying momentum to keep moving forward. Around four minutes left of the race the Yamaha rider made his way into 8th place. As the checkered flag waved Reed wasn’t able to get any closer to the front having to take the 8th place finish. Not exactly where he was hoping to be after a podium, but it is still points toward the chase. Currently 8th in points Reed has some points to make up.
70 GRITMOTO • FEBRUARY 5, 2017