CHAD REED RACING:

After a successful lead-up to the 2010 Monster Energy AMA Supercross Series Australia’s Supercross Champion Chad Reed has experienced a horror opening event at Anaheim’s Angel Stadium with a broken front wheel forcing him to the sidelines on the first lap of the Main Event.

Reed, who was third in his heat and happy with the way his Monster Energy Kawasaki KX450F was responding to changes throughout the day was attempting a pass on Austin Stroupe for fifth place when the Suzuki rider made contact with his front wheel.

With several of the front wheel spokes completely broken Reed had no choice but to retire from the race and hand over his damaged factory Kawasaki to his mechanic.

Reed immediately expressed his short lived disappointment with the way his season had started to the race commentary team whilst vowing to return to the podium next week.

“This was not the way I had planned to start 2010,” Reed said. “I missed the start but was up into sixth and trying to make something happen when Austin Stroupe turned into me.

“It was a pretty big hit, his footpeg ended up in my front wheel and sheared the spokes out of it. From that moment there was nothing I could do to continue racing, the bike was unrideable and no longer safe.

“The critics will see a round DNF as a massive blow to my championship but it won’t be. Remember this is a long championship where anything can happen and everyone will have a bad week. I will just stick to my simple plan which is to win races and let the championship come,” Reed stated.

Reed will immediately begin preparing for the second round of the series which will be held at Chase Field in Phoenix on Saturday 16 January.