Reed withdraws from AMA SX title
Massive injuries sustained in round seven on February 18 have grounded the Aussie champion for an extended period of time -- upwards of three monthsChad Reed has been forced to withdraw from the balance of the 2012 AMA Supercross Championship after suffering a catalogue of serious injuries in a massive crash at round seven in Texas on February 18.
An initial diagnosis taken in California yesterday has revealed the extent of Reed’s ailments after he was ploughed into the turf -- a torn anterior cruciate ligament, broken tibia and fibula, two broken ribs and a fractured T6 vertebrae.
“To say I am hurting right now would be a major understatement,” Reed said. “I am just trying to figure out what hurts more -- the injuries or the fact that I am going to be out for a while with knee surgery.
“This is bitterly disappointing, I felt like I had everything in my corner this time. I’ve never felt more comfortable, from the bike and team to my riding. I was genuinely in a position to fight for race wins week in week out and expected to be going to Las Vegas for a shot at the title.
“To my sponsors and fans thank you for your messages of support, they mean a lot. This is a difficult time.”
Reed, who crashed in Texas while stalking race leader Ryan Villopoto (Kawasaki), will undergo knee surgery in a matter of days, and at this stage is aiming to return for the AMA outdoor season, which will begin in California on May 19.
Meanwhile, the withdrawal of Reed now leaves Villopoto as the warm favourite to claim the AMA supercross title for a second year running, with Ryan Dungey (KTM) and James Stewart (Yamaha) his biggest threats.
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