Reed back in AMA motocross title
Two-year self-imposed exile overAustralia's Chad Reed has confirmed he'll contest this year's AMA Motocross Championship - the one piece of silverware that is missing from his decorated American CV.
It will be his first full-time tilt at the championship since 2006, when he finished sixth on a Yamaha despite missing the final three rounds with injury.
Reed will compete on his Suzuki RM-Z450, which took him to a close second in this year's supercross title behind Yamaha's James Stewart.
"I'm really looking forward to racing the outdoors this year," said Reed. "And I'm excited about it for several reasons. The last few years, I didn't race motocross because I really felt like I needed to take a break after the supercross season.
"But this year, I feel so comfortable with the Rockstar Makita Suzuki team and everybody has been so supportive that it just makes me want to get out there and race.
"Also, I've been impressed with the changes to the series… so I really want to be a part of that. My team and my sponsors have stepped up to make this happen and I can't thank them enough."
Reed will be joined by three countrymen in the AMA motocross title: Michael Byrne (Suuzki) and Honda duo Jake Moss and Dan Reardon. New Zealander Cody Cooper (Yamaha) is also competing. Byrne and Cooper were fourth and fifth respectively in 2008.
In the Lites class, Australia's Brett Metcalfe will make a return from injury on his Honda.
After an undefeated run through last year's motocross title, Stewart is the short-priced favourite to make it two in a row in 2009, with the 12-round season to kick off in San Bernardino, California this weekend. Other contenders will include Kawasaki's Ryan Villopoto, who hit top form at the tail end of the supercross season, as well as Tim Ferry (Yamaha) and Andrew Short (Honda).
For the list of competitors in the two classes, click here and here.
The championship will conclude on September 5, giving Reed et al time to recharge their batteries before the Australasian Supercross Championship commences on October 17.
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