Reed strengthens MX lead at Red Bud

Australia's Chad Reed (Yamaha) has bolstered his lead in the 2009 AMA Pro Motocross Championship with first and third place finishes in round six at Red Bud, Michigan last weekend.

Rebounding from a difficult round the previous week, 27-year-old Reed won the 450cc opener after a tough battle with Yamaha's Josh Grant, and then finished on the tail of Honda's Ivan Tedesco in race two after an ordinary start.

Grant was the victor in race two.
 
"It was typical Red Bud this weekend," said Reed. "It's a great track to be out front on, but when you're behind, coming through the pack and making passes is really hard.

"It felt good to get that holeshot early in the day and work my way through for a win.

"I felt better today, certainly not 100% but I was able to conserve myself and use the energy when I really needed it.

"The second moto showed why it's so important to get a good start. Once the leaders start making that gap then you have to really suck it up and push yourself just to make up that ground.

"This result is good for the championship. We're chipping away, week after week, and leave here adding a few more points to the tally."

Reed took 45 of a possible 50pts from Red Bud and is now 22 in front of Honda's Andrew Short, who was third and fourth in the 15-lapepers.

Of the other entries from Oceania, New Zealander Cody Cooper (Yamaha) went 6-5, ahead of Michal Byrne (Suzuki) and Luke Burkhart (Honda, 18-31).

In the 250cc class, Honda's Brett Metcalfe was fourth and third, with Ryan Dungey (Suzuki) and Christophe Pourcel (Kawasaki) the two winners.

For full results and standings, click here.

The championship now takes a one week break before resuming at Spring Creek in Millville, Minnesota, on July 18.