RCH Racing team co-owner Carey Hart has spoken out about his near-signing of Chad Reed for 2014, ultimately wishing the Australian well as he opts to continue with TwoTwo Motorsports.

Reed came close to a deal that would have seen him close the doors on TwoTwo to join Hart and Ricky Carmichael’s RCH Racing team aboard a Suzuki RM-Z450 for the first time since 2009.

But the challenge of fielding his own race team and building upon the platform he’s formed since launching TwoTwo Motorsports in 2011 will be Reed’s priority next season.

Hart was disappointed not to land a rider of Reed’s caliber, but respected his decision to continue with his own outfit.

“We talked about bringing Chad on the RCH program,” Hart told Racer X Online. “He was at a pretty major crossroads with what he’s built with his team and going back to being a racer without his own team.

“So at the end of the day he made a choice and it was strictly on the fact that he wanted to keep the team going. We went down the path pretty far with him.

“Honestly at the end of the day we wish him all the luck in the world. We almost had him, but obviously he wanted to keep TwoTwo going and I can totally respect that.”

Click here for the complete interview with Carey Hart over at Racer X Online.

Reed has been linked to multiple manufacturers for 2014 under the TwoTwo Motorsports banner, including a shock switch to KTM after a difficult season aboard the 2013 Honda CRF450R.