Reed On The Podium At Season Opener

CALIFORNIA, USA - Australian Supercross star Chad Reed has made a solid start to the 2012 Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, finishing second in the opening round of the season at Anaheim's Angel Stadium tonight.

The TwoTwo Motorsports owner/rider struggled to get comfortable on the tight track throughout the earlier practice sessions and qualified eighth.

[Aggressive changes made to the #22 Honda CRF450 before the heat race paid dividends, with Reed winning his heat race convincingly ahead of Mike Alessi and defending champion Ryan Villopoto.

Reed got a good start in the 20-lap ‘Main Event’ sitting third after the first turn. He moved into second on the opening lap and was over seven seconds clear of third place when he went down on Lap 14.

The Australian remounted and retained second place, holding off a late charge from Ryan Dungey over the closing laps of the race.

“This track was totally different to what we have tested on in the lead up to the start of the season,” Reed explained. “It really only had one line so was very hard to pass on.

“I struggled a little bit through practice but the guys made some aggressive changes to the bike before the heat race which really helped me.

“My starts were good and I was happy to get second tonight in this field of riders.

“I had a small tip over in the race, I was looking for new lines and lost the front,” Reed added.

Reed will now prepare for Round 2 of the 17-round Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, which will be held on Saturday January 14 at Chase Field in Pheonix, Arizona.

Monster Energy AMA Supercross Results: Race 1 - Anaheim

1. Ryan Villopoto, Seattle, Wash., Kawasaki
2.** Chad Reed, Dade City, Fla., Honda**
3. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., KTM
4. Justin Brayton, Murrieta, Calif., Honda
5. Jake Weimer, Wildomar, ID., Kawasaki
6. James Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Yamaha
7. Andrew Short, Smithville, Texas, Honda
8. Kevin Windham, Centreville, Miss., Honda
9. Mike Alessi, Hilliard, Calif., Suzuki
10. Josh Hansen, Elbert, Colo., Kawasaki

Monster Energy AMA Supercross Standings

1. Ryan Villopoto, Seattle, Wash., Kawasaki – 25
2.** Chad Reed, Dade City, Fla., Honda – 22**
3. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., KTM – 20
4. Justin Brayton, Murrieta, Calif., Honda – 18
5. Jake Weimer, Wildomar, ID., Kawasaki – 16
6. James Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Yamaha – 15
7. Andrew Short, Smithville, Texas, Honda – 14
8. Kevin Windham, Centreville, Miss., Honda – 13
9. Mike Alessi, Hilliard, Calif., Suzuki – 12
10. Josh Hansen, Elbert, Colo., Kawasaki – 11