News 22 Jun 2016

Reed takes positives out of first MXGP wildcard

Two days outdoors far different to a supercross round.

Source: Supplied.

Source: Supplied.

A high profile Motocross World Championship comeback didn’t result in the highest of finishes for Australian international Chad Reed, but he’s content with the experience at Matterley Basin last weekend.

In a wildcard showing with Monster Energy Yamaha, Reed went 14-17 for 13th overall in the British Grand Prix – his first GP entry in a full 15 years since he finished runner-up in the 250cc class of 2001.

Coming off the Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, series in the US, multiple champion Reed found his guest appearance outdoors a difficult challenge considering the two-day MXGP schedule.

“I think my physical fitness is totally fine, but the muscle memory for 35 minutes of pounding, especially from this track, is lacking,” Reed reflected. “The riding, the feeling on the bike and the pace was fine, but the grind in two days of motocross is a lot different than what we do in one day in supercross.

“Hopefully this will shock the body and make next week [at Mantova] a bit easier, but honestly, the pace doesn’t seem too gnarly and my feeling on the bike is the best I have had outdoors in a long time.”

American-based Reed will remain in Europe this week, preparing for a second and final European showing at Mantova in Italy this weekend, 25-26 June, before returning home to Australia for an off-season vacation.

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