Defending 450 Class Champion Chad Reed has vowed to continue his push to make back points on the leader of the Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross championship when the US-based series visits Thunder Valley in Colorado this weekend.

Reed climbed back into second place on the standings after an solid showing at Budd’s Creek last weekend where he put his Monster Energy Kawasaki machine on the third step of the podium.

Improved qualifying form saw the Australian in a much better position as the gates dropped and he is hoping to continue this run and maintain a positive, steady path of development aboard his KX450F.

“In the first few rounds I’d been having a hard time getting in a clean qualifying lap and it meant a lot more work had to be done at the start of each moto,” said Reed.

“We’ve been moving forward with the bike and making some real progress. Ryan [Dungey] rode well last weekend and I didn’t have much for him – I feel like the tracks to come are a lot more like my own practice track so now its my chance to get back within reach.

“Without that tough run at High Point we would be right up there. The team is working hard to bridge the gap and we’re confident of a strong showing over the next few rounds.”

With four rounds complete, Reed is 36 points adrift of leader Dungey with eight rounds remaining.

The 450cc class will be aired in Australia on Fuel TV from 10:00am this Sunday, 27 June.