Image: Supplied.

Autotrader Yoshimura Suzuki Factory Racing has officially announced Chad Reed will return to the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship in this Saturday’s final round at Ironman Raceway.

An in-shape Reed, who last raced the outdoors in 2015, has been preparing aboard the JGRMX-prepared RM-Z450 during the past week and has declared he will line up in Indiana.

“The opportunity came up last week for me to test the Autotrader Yoshimura Suzuki RM-Z450,” commented Reed. “I immediately felt comfortable with the bike and team. Although I had not planned to be in ‘race shape’ for another six weeks, it’s an opportunity to get out and do what I absolutely love the most, which is race.

“I haven’t raced a national in three years, but I have those nervous and excited race feelings to be getting back out there. I’m stoked to help their team and sponsors while a few of their riders are out with injuries. I feel like a kid again getting to ride a factory bike and go racing with a highly motivated crew. I hope to see lots of 22 fans this weekend!”

Reed will join Justin Hill in the premier class this weekend for the final round of Pro Motocross, while Enzo Lopes and Jimmy Decotis will contest the 250 class on their Suzuki RM-Z250s.

“Chad Reed is a welcome addition to the team for this weekend,” explained team manager Jeremy Albrecht. “I am very impressed by his testing abilities and professionalism. Chad was almost immediately comfortable on the Suzuki RM-Z450 and looked great. The last national of the series just got a lot more interesting, to say the least! It should be a fun experience for the whole team.”

The 2009 450MX champion was left unimpressed when overlooked for a position on Team Australia at this year’s FIM Motocross of Nations (MXoN) in the United States at RedBud, adamant he can still compete outdoors despite primarily focusing on supercross in the late stages of his illustrious career.