Chad Reed Takes Anaheim's Tripple Crown and Fourth Win of Supercross Series
ANAHEIM, CA (February 4, 2008)
On one of the most technical tracks we've seen this season, a sold-out crowd of some 45,000 fans watched San Manuel Yamaha's Chad Reed win the Anaheim Supercross Triple crown, Saturday night, February 2nd, 2008. With his third victory at Angel Stadium, Reed became only the second rider in Supercross history to win all three Anaheim Supercross main events in the same season!
Chad began the night by setting the fastest qualifying time with a 54.536 lap on the highly technical track. San Manuel Yamaha teammate Nathan Ramsey also began on a high note, qualifying for the program and landing in the same heat as Reed.
San Manuel Yamaha's Chad Reed
When San Manuel Yamaha riders lined up for the second heat, it became an all Reed and Ramsey show. The two teammates had to battle through the pack to get to the front, riding nose to tail for much of the race. Reed finally took over the lead with Ramsey close behind. At the checkered flag, Reed took the win with Ramsey a strong second. Team Manger Larry Brooks was happy with Ramsey's performance. “Nathan's only going to get stronger as the season goes along,” said Brooks. “He's dug himself out of a deep hole after being hurt so bad last year and now he's hitting every mark we've set for him. I'm definitely happy.”
In the main event, Reed (who had been practicing starts all week) got the holeshot while Ramsey pulled a strong top ten start. Skill, conditioning, and confidence all played a role as Reed led from start to finish, leading 20 out of 20 laps, to score his fourth victory in five outings of the young season. “I've set some goals for myself,” said Reed, and winning all three Anaheim's was one of them. So I put my head down, got the holeshot and knew that I'd have the race if I got out front. Sweeping all three Anaheim's is special; only one other rider has ever done it. So I decided to commit and go for it!”
Ramsey also had one of his best rides of the season, moving up to seventh for the checkered flag. The strong finish also upped Nathan in the points, moving him up to seventh in the Supercross standings. “I still feel like I'm climbing and getting stronger,” said Ramsey. “My first goal was just to race, then to make it into the top ten. Moving forward I want to get into the top five and then get on the podium. I think if I ride my race, get a good start and ride the way I know I'm capable of, I can get a podium spot. The San Manuel Yamaha Team is like an extended part of the family, I really enjoy being part of this team. It's a privilege to work with someone with a different idea then just a product to sell. The message is to work hard at what you love to do, stay out of trouble, and live a good life. They're great people.”
So far this season Chad Reed has won four of five Supercross main events, won the Anaheim Triple Crown, leads the points chase for the Championship and achieved his 30th career victory. Next week at the San Diego Supercross, he'll be going for 31. “I'm going to step it up in SD,” said Reed after the race. “I love San Diego.”
Team San Manuel Yamaha's Reed and Ramsey and travel to San Diego, CA, on February 9th, for the sixth round of the 2008 Monster Energy Supercross Series.
Team San Manuel Yamaha highlights - Anaheim 3 - Round 5:
Chad Reed: Fastest Qualifier with a 54.536 lap time.
Nathan Ramsey: 16th fastest Qualifier with a 58.433 lap time.
Chad Reed: Winner Heat Race #2, direct transfer to main event.
Nathan Ramsey: Second place Heat Race #2, direct transfer to main event.
Chad Reed: Winner Supercross Main Event, leading 20 of 20 laps.
Nathan Ramsey: Seventh in Supercross Main Event.
Chad Reed: Supercross Championship points leader with 122 points, four wins and one second place finish in five races.
Nathan Ramsey: Seventh in Supercross Championship points with 57 points.
About Team San Manuel Yamaha
Team San Manuel Yamaha is Fueled by Fusion Energy and sponsored by AM PM, Nike, ProTaper, DID Chains, Yamalube, Akrapobic, Vortex, Bridgestone, One Industries, VP Racing Fuels, and GYTR.
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