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CHAD REED
450 SX / TEXAS
IMAGE / LANNAN WORDS / COPELAND DESIGN / WILSON
>> The Australian born multi time SX champ has been able to revamp his career multiple times over the years. This year is no different after not fin- ishing round one and then struggling until finally finding some good set- tings for Phoenix, where he finished a season high 2nd behind only the other most improved rider of the round, Eli Tomac. The following week didn’t continue the upward swing that Chad was hoping for and he fin- ished the night back outside of the top 5. This weekend wouldn’t start off quite up to Reed’s lofty expectations that he bestows upon himself as he struggled in qualifying, only able to reach the 14th fastest time. He would go on to have a decent start in the heat race but was unable to charge into a direct transfer position and would line up in the semis. Chad would take his Yamaha into the semi and rip a much-needed start and make his way to the front running the entire semi in 1st place and qualifying for the night’s 450 main event. Though he didn’t look completely comfortable all day he did look better in the semi than he had all day. The main wouldn’t start as well as the semi as Chad came across the line for the first lap in 12th place just ahead of points leader Ryan Dungey. By the 13 minute mark he worked his way inside the top 10, into 9th and continued there for multiple laps. Around the same time that Baggett had trouble the 22 Yamaha also had problems. He dropped from around the top 10 all the way to 16th over the course of a few laps. Reed would go on to fall into 19th overall after a rough night in Arlington for the seasoned veteran.
100 GRITMOTO • FEBRUARY 12, 2017