Chad Reed was top finishing Australian in today’s opening round of the Monster Energy Supercross, an FIM World Championship, at Anaheim Stadium in California.

The TwoTwo Motorsports owner/rider bounced back from a frustrating qualifying position of eighth to win his heat race, before eventually racing to second in the 20-lap main event despite a mid-race fall.

In a race won by Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto, Reed edged out Ryan Dungey for the middle step on the podium in a tight battle for the position.

Following a tough afternoon with crashes during practice and qualifying, Yoshimura Suzuki’s Brett Metcalfe battled to sixth in his heat race before claiming 11th in the main.

Honda privateer Cody Mackie made his AMA debut in the premier class, narrowly missing a main event birth via the heat when he finished 10th. The LCQ saw him take fourth as he missed the main, but it was a solid campaign regardless.

In the opening round of the West Coast Lites, it was Matt Moss who was top Aussie for JDR/J-Star/KTM in 11th – the race won by Cole Seely.

Moss battled back from a bad start to finish just outside the top 10, finishing fifth in his heat race earlier during the night.

Teammate Ryan Marmont was next best in 17th after he too suffered from a sluggish gate-drop in the main, however he starred with a holeshot in the heat. Marmont finished ninth in the heat for a direct transfer.

Cairns teenager Jackson Richardson rode his private Honda to an impressive 18th in the Lites main, directly behind Marmont. Richardson stunned to start the night with a comfortable sixth in the first Lites heat.

Stay tuned to MotoOnline.com.au all season long for all the info on the Australians contesting the U.S. circuit.

2012 AMA Supercross Rd1 Anaheim Australian Results:
Chad Reed – Heat 1st, Main 2nd (450)
Brett Metcalfe – Heat 6th, Main 11th (450)
Cody Mackie – Heat 10th, LCQ 4th (450)
Matt Moss – Heat 5th, Main 11th (250)
Ryan Marmont – Heat 9th, Main 17th (250)
Jackson Richardson – Heat 6th, Main 18th (250)