Image: Foremost Media.

Australian fan-favourite Chad Reed was notably absent from tonight’s main events at the 2019 Monster Energy S-X Open Auckland in New Zealand, a rib injury proving too painful for the dual AMA Supercross champion despite attempting to line-up in his heat race.

Reed suffered the injury in a heavy fall at last weekend’s Paris Supercross, and opted to sit out yesterday’s press day to further better his chances of racing tonight.

Piloting a Penrite Racing Mountain Motorsport Honda CRF450R, the number 22 completed minimal laps in practice and qualifying, while a crash on the opening lap of his heat is what ultimately prompted him to call it a night.

With two weeks until the Monster Energy AUS-X Open Melbourne, Reed is confident he’ll adequately recover for the Marvel Stadium event, where he’s hopeful he’s in a position to challenge with the leaders.

“In all honesty, the end of the night pretty much started in Paris last week,” Reed admitted to MotoOnline.com.au. “I thought you know what, I’ll struggle through the day, take a gate drop and kind of see what adrenaline does. I was in fourth and trying to get into third – basically, the track was slippery and I lost the front.

“I didn’t hurt it or anything, but at that point, in my mind, it was just like if that’s how the night’s going to go, the smart decision was to really just save it and not get hurt any more.

“I’m pretty amazed I was able to ride to be honest – how I felt Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, I thought there was no chance. The fact I went out and rode was impressive in itself – I impressed myself.

“We all know broken bones take four to six weeks [to recover], so I’m not going to be 100 percent [for Melbourne]. The progress I’ve seen from Monday to Saturday really played on my mind, and my decision was basically let’s sit this one out and get ready for Melbourne. My hope is to be good and be able to fight with the boys in Melbourne. I’m bummed, if I’m honest.”

Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Jason Anderson earned victory tonight in Auckland, winning two of three main events in the triple crown format.