Australia’s dual world champion Chad Reed says that although he’s happy to take over the series lead in the 2011 Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship standings, he wants to win more races when he’s in a position to do so.

Reed has fallen agonisingly short the last two weekends in a row – finishing behind Trey Canard in Jacksonville and defending champion Ryan Dungey in Toronto – and he knows how important race wins will be when the series reaches its climax in Las Vegas come May.

“It’s a long way to go but we’re taking steps in the right direction. I’m happy but I’m bummed as well, I felt like last week I rode really, really well and had some strong points but I also had some weak points as well,” Reed admitted in an interview with American publication Racer X.

“I did the same again this week. I’m happy to be in contention but I need those wins. I was good enough in sections but last week Trey rode well and this week Dungey rode well. I need to put myself in position to ride away with the wins.”

Reed has enjoyed a revitalising year to date as a privateer in his own TwoTwo Motorsports team, but he’s adamant that he still has some improvements to make with just five rounds remaining in the series.

“I want to win this championship and I don’t give a damm how many wins I get but at this point in the championship, wins are needed,” he added. “I was in some good positions to capitalise on but couldn’t make it happen.

“[Dungey] rode a great race, he rode solid and I have to give it to him. He attacked the track and was really strong. It was taking me a lot to stay with him and when I had to attack him I was making small mistakes.

“I felt like I was delayed in my decision-making, I would see a good line and then not take it. It would be like ‘Hello, there’s a good line over there but I’ll take the shit line’. I was off a bit. I’ll work on that.”

Reed now leads the series by a slim three-point margin ahead of the luckless Ryan Villopoto (Monster Energy Kawasaki), with Rockstar Makita Suzuki’s defending champion Dungey remaining within striking distance in third.