Reed romps to AMA SX victory
The first win of the season for the Aussie veteran, with the triumph extra sweet because it's also the maiden victory for his fledgling teamAustralia’s Chad Reed has won the seventh round of the 2011 AMA Supercross Championship at San Diego’s Qualcomm Stadium, after dominating the February 19 main event from the onset.
Reed took his first holeshot of the year and traded blows with Trey Canard until his fellow Honda rider made a mistake, leaving the door open for the Australian to pull away.
While his rivals struggled in the wet conditions Reed thrived, leading 17 of the 20 laps to take the victory nearly six seconds ahead of defending champion Ryan Dungey (Suzuki), with James Stewart (Yamaha) third.
“It’s emotional,” Reed admitted. “Only a few months ago I was contemplating drinking beer in the stands with the fans and here I am tonight celebrating my team’s first ever win.
“This is awesome. I‘ve put so much work into this team to make it the best it can be. To win with your name on your chest makes everything so much better.
“I struggled through practice, but I still felt good and everything came together in the main.”
The victory was Reed’s 39th in AMA supercross competition and is his sixth in San Diego, surpassing Jeremy McGrath’s record of five.
“It’s not to often you can claim that you have beaten one of Jeremy’s records, so this is very cool.”
Reed now sits third in the championship standings on 130pts, equal with last-start winner Canard, while Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto (146) and Stewart (143) are one and two.
Villopoto was seventh in Las Vegas, behind Canard, David Millsaps (Yamaha) and Andrew Short (KTM) in positions four to six.
Australia’s Brett Metcalfe (Suzuki) was eighth in the final.
The championship now heads to Atlanta’s Georgia Dome next weekend.
San Diego results?
1. Chad Reed, Honda?
2. Ryan Dungey, Suzuki?
3. James Stewart, Yamaha
4. Trey Canard, Honda?
5. Davi Millsaps, Yamaha
6. Andrew Short, KTM?
7. Ryan Villopoto, Kawasaki?
8. Brett Metcalfe, Suzuki?
9. Mike Alessi, KTM?
10. Justin Brayton, Yamaha
Current standings after round seven of 17
1. Villopoto 146?
2. Stewart 143
3. Reed 130
4. Canard 130?
5. Dungey 123
6. Short 95
7. Metcalfe 93?
8. Millsaps 78
9. Brayton 76
10. Ivan Tedesco, Kawasaki 66
Tags
Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.
