Reed draws first blood in Super X

Galvanised by local support, Chad Reed has put on a master class in the 2010 Australasian Supercross Championship (Super X) opener in his home town of Newcastle (NSW) last night.

The two-time defending Super X champion’s return to the saddle after a long layoff with illness was emphatic, and he won both 12-lap Open races in the ‘Double Header’ finals format to finish ahead of Americans Josh Hansen (Kawasaki) and Justin Brayton (Yamaha), with local stars Dan Reardon (Honda) and Jay Marmont (Yamaha) completing the top five.

It was Reed’s one and only appearance in the 2010 Super X before he heads back to America and continues the search for a new racing setup after recently parting ways with Kawasaki.

In Newcastle, Reed competed on a Vodafone-branded Honda, with a majority of the 12,500 spectators firmly in the local’s corner.

“First and foremost I want to thank all of the Newcastle fans for coming tonight,” said Reed. “It has been a long-term plan to have a race here and after three years it has finally happened. I felt right at home racing out there tonight and it feels great to get the win.

“This year has been a tough year for me, but I had a blast riding tonight.”

The first double-header final saw Reed, Hansen and Reardon claim the trifecta, with Brayton making his way back through the pack to finish fifth behind Marmont after an early off-track excursion.

Local star – and Reed’s cousin -- Craig Anderson (Honda) claimed the second holeshot, but the supremely confident Reed hit the front within seconds and powered away to a 4.770-second victory over Brayton, with Hansen in third.

Then it was a huge gap back to Reardon, who in turn had plenty to spare over Marmont. To understand the depth of Reed’s speed, only eight other riders finished on the same lap as the winner.

The always exciting Lites class was also decided with a Double Header final, and it was US rider PJ Larsen (KTM) who scored the honours ahead of defending champion Matt Moss (Suzuki) and Ryan Marmont (KTM).

Lawson Bopping (Suzuki) was leading until the second last lap on the first moto, but was pipped at the post by Larsen with Marmont third. Cody Mackie (Kawasaki) took an early lead in the second moto, but was overtaken by Larsen and Moss. Moss then pushed aside Larsen in a close shave and held on for the win.

The series now heads to Canberra for the second round at Canberra Stadium on October 23.

Open results
1.    Chad REED - 50
2.    Josh HANSEN - 42
3.    Justin BRAYTON – 38
4.    Daniel REARDON - 38
5.    Jay MARMONT - 34
6.    Tye SIMMONDS - 27
7.    Todd WATERS – 27
8.    Daniel McCOY -  27
9.    Jake MOSS - 27
10.    Craig ANDERSON - 21

Lites results
1.    P J LARSEN - 25
2.    Matt MOSS - 22
3.    Ryan MARMONT - 20
4.    Kade MOSIG – 18  
5.    Lawson BOPPING - 16
6.    Cody MACKIE - 15
7.    Harley QUINLAN – 14
8.    Luke GEORGE – 12
9.    Luke STYKE - 11
10.    Kirk GIBBS - 10