Australia’s Chad Reed believes the key to this season’s spectacular Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, is to take it one weekend at a time in the 17-round series.

The TwoTwo Motorsports fan favourite finished third at Seattle last weekend despite a crash, climbing to second in the series behind former Kawasaki teammate Ryan Villopoto, who is six points ahead with just two rounds remaining.

“[I crashed with] two laps to go and I don’t even know what really happened,” Reed admitted. “I jumped up on the tabletop, kind of did what I normally do and it was super deep. It grabbed the ‘pegs, and then it just slowed my momentum.

“The one that we were jumping off to was just super soft, and it was pretty, I mean I don’t know if I’ve had a crash like that for a while. I’m lucky [because] the bike got me, but it could have got me a hell of a lot worse.

“I’m bummed that I missed second because we are in a points game and I gave up two points, but I’m thankful to fight for a podium and end up there.”

Reed has gone from strength to strength during the middle stages of the season as his team developed the Honda CRF450R around him, and he’s confident he has the equipment required to run at the front week in, week out.

“At this point the bike’s on the money and now it’s up to the rider,” Reed said. “Since Dallas [James Stewart] took the mojo right out of me and I’ve got to get it back.

“So, I had a big long conversation with Ellie on the phone – she’s back in Florida – and she’s a feisty one sometimes. Sometimes you need a go-to person and she’s my go-to person. When it’s all on the line you’ve gotta go.

“I felt Dallas I was in a good position and couldn’t do anything about that, then in St Louis I was in a great position to capitalise and just rode horrible. It’s just kind of been spilling over and I’ve just gotta let it go.”

A highlight for Reed in Seattle was passing childhood hero Jeremy McGrath for the most all-time AMA Supercross podiums on 112.

“I think tonight was what I needed,” he added. “We crashed, but I was going for it, fighting for positions and I was trying to fight for a podium. And thankfully I passed Jeremy [McGrath] for all-time podiums. Ever since we’ve been tied it seems like I’ve been struggling. Hopefully that monkey’s off our back and we can move forward.”

With the title now going down to the wire, Reed knows he has a big challenge ahead to beat the likes of Stewart, Villopoto and defending champion Ryan Dungey to the title.

“It’s going to be a fight to the end,” Reed acknowledged. “James is on his game and is riding real well, plus the two Ryans are strong on their given weekends and same with me.

“I think every weekend is an individual weekend and you’ve got to tackle it, give it everything you’ve got to come out swinging.”

The series will take a weekend off before resuming at Salt Lake City in Utah on 30 April.