Multiple World Supercross Champion Chad Reed will make his highly anticipated return to the Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship at Houston’s Reliant Stadium this weekend after a sickening incident at the second round of the series sidelined him for 12 weeks with a broken hand.

Despite sustaining some horrific injuries over the years this was the first time since 1998 that an injury has forced Reed to sit out part of any championship.

The Australian’s initial reaction to the injury was complete disappointment not only for himself, but more-so his Monster Energy Kawasaki team who worked tirelessly since October to give him a bike he felt he could comfortably win on.

Reed acknowledged that disappointment was soon replaced with relief as within days of the incident he realised just how burnt out he was both physically and mentally, having raced at the pinnacle of the sport and without absence for over 10 years.

“I can’t tell you how excited I am to be back racing this weekend,” Reed said. “Although we went to Anaheim 1 as a team on a high after winning the Australian Super X Series I found the first couple of rounds really tough.

“I felt like I was playing catchup when I should have been on top and in hindsight that really was the case because it was a big job for all of us to pull this deal together so late in the piece.

“Motorcycling has been an all consuming passion of mine since I was three years old and as any avid motorcyclist knows being on a bike is where you can escape from the real world. It is the place where I am happiest in life and I can tell you I didn’t feel complete for the few months I wasn’t able to ride.

“It’s a hard thing to explain, but I almost felt like I was three again these past couple of weeks as I have thoroughly enjoyed every single moment I have spent on the bike. I wake up in the morning and I just want to ride and I don’t want to stop until the sun goes down.”

Reed actually returned to the racetrack at Daytona in late March where he completed practice and qualifying to gauge his hand’s recuperation. Although not 100 percent at the time Reed had clearly lost none of his raw speed, setting the fastest times in both practice and qualifying.

“To be the best at anything in this world you really must enjoy what you are doing and that is where I am right now,” Reed explained. “I am not really thinking about the actual racing this weekend because there are guys out there who have raced week-in, week- out and are vying for a championship. So it is none of my business to get in the way of that.

“So many positives have come out of that incident at Phoenix back in January. Although James and I are out of contention it has allowed a whole new crop of riders to shine whose ability has been a little overshadowed by the whole me versus James thing. I think it is great that the sport has had the ability to build some new heroes, we all benefit from that.

“I am just really grateful that throughout this time I have had the support of the Monster Energy Kawasaki team and all my sponsors who have placed no pressure on me and given me the freedom to regain 100 percent fitness. I am looking forward to being back at the track, back with the team and most importantly back on the bike for the fans.”

Reed has used his rehabilitation time wisely to insure both mind and body are back to their absolute peak while also spending some valuable downtime with his wife Ellie as they prepare for the birth of their first child in the coming weeks.

“Both Ellie and I are so excited about becoming parents. I would say my biggest race between now and the start of the outdoors will be getting Ellie to hospital when junior decides its time,” Reed concluded.

The 13th instalment of the 17-round 2010 Monster Energy Supercross Series will be held at Houston’s Reliant Stadium on this weekend.

Reed’s Monster Energy Kawasaki team-mate Ryan Villopoto is currently second in the championship, only 21 points behind series leader Ryan Dungey.