Reed finished fourth at Houston, his first child expected to be born any day now.

Australian hero Chad Reed says he’s content with finishing fourth at last weekend’s Houston round of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, at Reliant Stadium in Texas, enjoying his return to action at the 13th round following a lengthy layoff through injury.

Reed endured a tough return to racing with a shifter problem mid heat race preventing him from being able to challenge for the lead, maintaining third and managing to hold off a challenge by Thomas Hahn to move through to the main event with the sixth gate pick.

A bad start in the 20-lap main left the Monster Energy Kawasaki rider back in 15th after the first turn, but in true Reed style he found his rhythm and meticulously picked off eleven riders to finish fourth behind teammate and race winner Ryan Villopoto, Kevin Windham and Ivan Tedesco.

“I really didn”t have any expectations heading into this race,” Reed said. “I just wanted to go out, race and have fun. Having not raced for three months my main focus was to work on race fitness and not get involved in an incident that could potentially make or break someone’s championship.

“It was awesome to be back out there in front of the fans. At any other time I would be bitterly disappointed to not be standing on the box but after 12 weeks away from racing I don’t think it is such a bad result to miss the podium by one place.”

With wife Ellie due to give birth to the couples first child any day Reed flew home to Florida immediately following the event and will resume preparing for the next event at St Louis this weekend.