Australian Chad Reed admits that he put his championship aspirations first on his way to second position at the Jacksonville round of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Series, an FIM World Championship.

While his championship rivals faltered, the TwoTwo Motorsports rider continued his consistent run, recording the team’s seventh podium with second behind factory Honda rider Trey Canard.

Reed has now inched to within seven points of series leader Ryan Villopoto after the Monster Energy Kawasaki rider failed to qualify in a nightmare night, while James Stewart crashed out of the main event.

Multiple world champion Reed worked his way to second by mid race and then battled with youngster Trey Canard for the lead but was unable to safely execute a pass.

Acknowledging he played the smart card for the weekend, Reed said he probably let the win slip.

“There is a bigger piece of the pie that I want and sometimes you have to lose the battle to win the war,” Reed explained.

“With that said I do want to win. I felt we were a lot better tonight than last week but there were still a few things missing here and there.

“I passed Trey but I knew I didn’t have it completed. I would of had to cut him off and have some contact, which could have seen both of us off and I didn’t want to give up any points to Ryan [Dungey].

“I felt like I rode smart and consistent and you have to be consistent to win championships,” he added.

Round 12 of the Monster Energy AMA Supercros sees the series head to Toronto’s Rogers Centre next Saturday night.