Reed keeps lead despite horror injury

Chad Reed has yet again shown the sporting world why, at a mere 25 years of age, he is a legend of the sport of Supercross. The Australian, last weekend raced and maintained his lead in 2008 Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, despite sustaining horrific injuries during a practice accident at Detroit's Ford Field earlier in the day.
The championship leader crashed heavily during the morning practice session after his bike bogged on the approach to a technical section and sent him flying, with massive force into the face of another obstacle.

His championship rivals were certain they had seen the last of him when he was rushed to hospital by ambulance vomiting blood and with a suspected broken shoulder.

The Aussie superstar then astonished both his fans and fellow competitors when he checked himself out of hospital and arrived back at Ford Field four hours later to line up for his heat race.

With Hospital staff unable to give him anything more than off the shelf oral pain killers due to AMA regulations, Reed completed only two laps of his heat before pulling off in excruciating pain. He then made a start in the last chance qualifier but once again pulled into the pits within a matter of laps. To gain entry into the Main Event Reed utilized his provisional entry option, which allows for a rider within the top 10 in points to advance directly to the final.

The run of bad luck followed the Australian to the Main Event where he was brought down in the first turn of the 20 lap race. But once again displaying his never say die attitude, Reed remounted his Yamaha YZ450F in 21st position before embarking upon what commentators described as the one of the greatest rides in AMA Supercross history.

He repeatedly pushed his way through the pain barrier and whilst riding with a broken shoulder blade, passed over half the field to eventually finish 12th and maintain a strong points lead.

"It is all still a bit of a blur," said Reed. "I came down hard and the next thing I knew I was in excruciating pain and vomiting more blood than I had seen in my life."

"Medical staff at the hospital confirmed what I already knew - that my shoulder was broken and diagnosed the blood loss as abdominal contusions."

"Once we knew where we were at I begged them to let me return to the track, which I did against their advice. I know my competition well, I knew what I had to get done today and I needed to be out there," he explained.

"My plan was to finish inside the top ten no matter what. Unfortunately I was taken down in the first turn so from there it was just head down and try to claim as many spots as possible."

"It hasn't been the best of nights, but it could have been a lot worse. The championship was at stake and I want that title more than anything, so not making it to the starting gate was never an option.

"I am in a lot of pain but being able to bank some points tonight was the best possible pain killer anyone could have given me," Reed concluded.

With three rounds remaining Reed holds a 16 point lead over second placed rider Kevin Windham and now has only one week to recuperate before heading to the Edward Jones Dome at St Louis on Saturday 19th April.