Podium for Reed at Thunder Valley
Chad Reed
TwoTwo Motorsports/Bel-Ray Racings Chad Reed has retained the championship leader’s coveted red plate after finishing third at the fifth round of the Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship, the Thunder Valley National in Colorado.
The Australian finished both races third but admitted he traditionally struggled at the high altitude track.
Reed got a good start in the first moto and pressured race leader Christian Craig. The two came together allowing Ryan Villapoto to slip past, pushing the Honda rider back to third. While he eventually passed Craig, Reed lost a spot to Ryan Dungey in the closing stages of the race.
In the second moto, Reed took the holeshot, ahead of Dungey and Villopoto. He battled with Dungey for the lead throughout the first three laps, before succumbing to the defending champion who eventually won the race and round.
After losing a spot to Villapoto, Reed finished the race and round third, but retains the 450 class championship lead.
“I was the third best guy today,” said Reed.
“I’m happy to be honest. This is a tough track for me and I just felt a little off.
“I think you learn more on your off days when you get beat. And that’s what happened today.
“We need to make some improvements, and I think I know where we need to make those,” he added.
The TwoTwo Motorsports team will now turn their attention to the sixth round of the 2011 Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship – the Redbud National in Buchanan, Michigan on Saturday July 2.
RESULTS: Thunder Valley National, Colorado
| Pos | Rider | Place of Origin | Motorcycle |
| 1 | Ryan Dungey | Belle Plaine : Minnesota | Suzuki |
| 2 | Ryan Villopoto | Poulsbo : Washington | Kawasaki |
| 3 | Chad Reed | Kurri Kurri : New South Wales | Honda |
| 4 | Kevin Windham | Centreville : Mississippi | Honda |
| 5 | Andrew Short | Smithville : Texas | KTM |
| 6 | Tommy Hahn | Great Bend : Kansas | Yamaha |
| 7 | Brett Metcalfe | Mannum : South Australia | Suzuki |
| 8 | Christian Craig | Hemet : California | Honda |
| 9 | Jake Canada | Corona : California | Kawasaki |
| 10 | Justin Brayton | Fort Dodge : Iowa | Yamaha |
Lucas Oil Pro AMA Motocross Championship Standings (after Rd 5 of 12)
| Pos | Rider | Place of Origin | Motorcycle | Points |
| 1 | Chad Reed | Kurri Kurri : New South Wales | Honda | 223 |
| 2 | Ryan Villopoto | Poulsbo : Washington | Kawasaki | 215 |
| 3 | Ryan Dungey | Belle Plaine : Minnesota | Suzuki | 202 |
| 4 | Kevin Windham | Centreville : Mississippi | Honda | 148 |
| 5 | Davi Millsaps | Murrieta : California | Yamaha | 145 |
| 6 | Brett Metcalfe | Mannum : South Australia | Suzuki | 144 |
| 7 | Ricky Dietrich | Menifee : California | Yamaha | 109 |
| 8 | Andrew Short | Smithville : Texas | KTM | 102 |
| 9 | Jake Weimer | Rupert : Idaho | Kawasaki | 100 |
| 10 | Christian Craig | Hemet : California | Honda | 97 |