Image: Simon Cudby.

Australian Chad Reed has pinpointed starts as the most vital aspect in the opening rounds of the 2014 Monster Energy Supercross, an FIM World Championship.

Reed, 31, has scored three podiums from four starts including his incredible Anaheim 2 victory at round three, remaining focused on getting out of the gate in order to challenge for main event wins.

Last weekend at Oakland saw Reed seventh in timed practice despite being just over half a second off the pace, highlighting the depth of this season in 450SX, and intencity is key in the opening laps.

“For me it’s all about the start,” Reed commented. “Look at practice, I was six-tenths off the leader and I’m seventh. So it’s going to be all about starts week in and week out. It’s 20 laps, too. You’re kind of starting to see a little bit of a drop off around 12 laps, so it’s a fight for 12.”

After a disastrous 2013, Reed has proven both fast and consistent to date this year aboard the Discount Tire Racing Kawasaki KX450f in a great turnaround for the two-time series champion. Third in Oakland was another indication that he’s for real in 2014.

“[We made] improvements in some places, and some places not so much, so take that from it and just be happy,” he added. “I think we moved to second, seven points behind RV, so keep grinding.”

Click here for the complete interview on Racer X Online.