Yamaha Supercross star Chad Reed has finished in seventh place at the Minneapolis Metrodome, battling an energy-sapping illness at the eleventh round of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship.
Reed was fastest in the event’s opening practice, but elected to sit on the sidelines for the second session in order to conserve himself for the main event.
Knowing a strong start was vital, Reed blasted from the line and was in check with the leaders on the opening lap.
Approaching the race’s mid-way point, Reed had pushed his way through to second, and lined up Josh Hill in his sights.
The pass for the lead came on lap 8, but it went awry as Reed made his move, resulting in a costly crash.
He had been chasing his first win at the Metrodome, so was understandably deflated following the race.
“This is a disappointing outcome after I was setting myself up to take the lead,” said Reed.
“I had to sit out the final practice and haven’t felt well all weekend, so to be in the position to potentially win this race was very positive.”
“I felt as though I had enough to hang on and win this so seventh is little reward.”
“It also hurts in terms of the championship, though I am lucky in a sense that Windham didn’t take maximum points.”
Fellow Yamaha rider Hill won the race, with Reed’s closest championship rival Kevin Windham finishing in third.
The Aussie maintains control of the championship with a 17-point lead.
Just 6 point-scoring events remain before the 2008 champion will be crowned, with the next event to be contested at the Rogers Centre, in Ontario, Canada.
AMA Supercross Class Results, Minneapolis
1. Josh Hill, Yoncalla, Ore., Yamaha
2. Ryan Dungey, of Belle, Plaine, Minn., Suzuki
3. Kevin Windham, Centreville, Miss., Honda
4.Andrew Short, Smithville, Texas, Honda
5. Thomas Hahn, Alvord, Texas, Kawasaki
6. Davi Millsaps, Cairo, Ga., Honda
7. Chad Reed, Tampa, Fla., Yamaha
8.David Vuillemin, Murrieta, Calif., Suzuki
9.Travis Preston, Hesperia, Calif., Kawasaki
10. Nathan Ramsey, Menifee, Calif., Yamaha
2008 AMA Supercross Class Season Standings
1.Chad Reed, Tampa, Fla., Yamaha, 237
2. Kevin Windham, Centreville, Miss., Honda, 220
3.Andrew Short, Smithville, Texas, Honda, 172
4. Davi Millsaps, Cairo, Ga., Honda, 164
5.Tim Ferry, Largo, Fla., Kawasaki, 137
6. Joshua Hill, Yoncalla, Ore., Yamaha, 135
7. Nathan Ramsey, Menifee, Calif., Yamaha, 134
8. David Vuillemin, Murrieta, Calif., Suzuki, 115
9. Paul Carpenter, Ithaca, N.Y., Honda, 97
10. Nick Wey, Dewitt, Mich., KTM, 95
SX Lites
1. Villopoto
2. Grant 7.6 secs
3. Davalos 16.7 secs
4. Canard 17.3 secs
5. Sipes 27.3 secs
SX Lites East Points
1. Canard 93
2. Villopoto 69
3. Sipes 67
4. Izzi 54
5. Davalos 53
