Image: Simon Cudby.

Discount Tire Racing’s Chad Reed has returned to riding on Monday in preparation for his comeback in the 2014 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship.

Reed has been sidelined since his crushing crash at the San Diego round of Monster Energy Supercross, in which he sustained serious shoulder injuries before undergoing surgery.

A post on social media this morning confirmed he’s back aboard the TwoTwo Motorsports Kawasaki KX450F and he spoke about his return on the Pulp MX Show earlier today.

Although he’s not yet officially cleared to ride, Reed put in laps to begin his build-up to the nationals and has commenced working on an initial bike set-up for the season ahead.

“I Just wanted to ride a little bit; I don’t have the official green light to ride,” Reed commented. “I wanted to get out there and just feel it out a little bit.

“I’m fine; it’s not like I ride and it hurts or anything. It’s a little bit weak and I’m super-cautious, but other than that it’s good.”

According to Reed, he started out with a base setting from Ryan Villopoto last year, however the team will now work to refine a more suitable setting for Reed ahead of Glen Helen’s opening round on 24 May in California.

“My hands will probably be the biggest thing, trying to get them back in shape and be ready,” he added. “I’ll be totally stoked just to be at Glen Helen and I think the bike will come around fast.”

It’s also been confirmed that Reed will field four-time Arenacross champion Tyler Bowers at Las Vegas’ final round of Monster Energy Supercross this weekend.

“It’s not a [Dean] Wilson deal where I expect him to set the world on fire,” Reed explained. “It’s a good chance for us to get some TV time, have a bike on track and a neat opportunity for him.”

The complete interview with Reed will be archived on www.pulpmxshow.com later once the live show concludes.