Reed improved in Phoenix, but needs to work on his start consistency come main event time. Image: SupercrossOnline.com.

Dual world champion Chad Reed is content with his heat race victory at Phoenix’s second round of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, series, but says it’s his starts that are letting him down come main event time.

Reed rode his TwoTwo Motorsports Honda to the team’s first ever win in the heat at Chase Field after taking the holeshot, but he couldn’t repeat that start form come the finals.

An average start left Reed mid pack when the gate dropped on the 20-lap main, but he forged forward, battling with defending champion Ryan Dungey mid-race before cementing fourth place.

“We are definitely making progress week to week and I am feeling a lot more comfortable with the bike and my riding,” Reed said.

“I felt like I was in the fight tonight. I was able to ride hard and there was nothing foreign about it.

“I got the holeshot in my heat race and it was awesome to record the teams first race win but I need to be more consistent with my starts, it is an area I will work on in testing this week.”

The third round of the 2011 Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship will be held at Los Angeles Dodgers Stadium this Saturday night.