Supercross News
Reardon makes his mark in his U.S debut
By: Craig Wasley
Posted: Monday, 15th October, 2007 : 8:45 AM - - 7,888 Reads
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Daniel Reardon has successfully completed his first US race at the 10th running of the US Open in Las Vegas. Reardon riding for the Sobe/No Fear/Samsung/Honda with his familiar #122, had the MGM Grand arena on their feet in one of his heats as he battled from midfield to take a win.
After qualifying the fastest 250 both nights, Reardon made both the main events in a new format of one class one champ.
Heat one on Friday night saw the 122 in the lead after a few laps and was able to hold off Reed till a couple of laps from the end, which gave Dan a ticket straight into the main event.
A lap into the main event and a shunt from behind had Reardon off his bike and in last place and was able to claw back some positions to finish in 7th place on the night.
Saturday's 4th place heat race wasn't enough to get Reardon into the main event but was a respectable finish behind Mike Alessi, Michael Byrne and Grant Langston all riding 450's.
A tangle with Langston was an introduction to the big league of motocross.
"He (Langston) made a mistake, I came in tight on a turn, we rubbed a little bit and then he gave it back to me, it's all part of it" explained Reardon.
A poor start in the semi had Reardon playing catch up and was on a mission as only the winner of the semi would make it to the main.
Lap after lap Reardon picked off riders putting on a great show for the excited Las Vegas crowd and with 2 turns from the finish, made a spectacular block pass to take the win.
Reardon starting on the inside gate of the main event got off to a squirly start and clipped a tuff block robbing him of speed into the 1st turn but was able to dodge the carnage of Chad Reed, Langston and Tim Ferry going down.
From mid field Reardon passed a few riders quickly and then battled with Byrne for a few laps, finally passing him for 3rd place and clearing out, till Alessi on the big horsepower 450 rounded him in only a lap from the end for a 4th place finish.
After the race I caught up with Dan to get his thoughts on the weekend.
"I'm happy" said Reardon. "The whole idea of this race was to get my feet wet and test things out". "I did what I could and came away this weekend with more experience and know what I need to do now". "This has fired me up a little bit more and can't wait for next year". "I need a little bit more bike time". "I've only been riding here for 3 weeks, it's been a good 3 weeks and the bike and the team is great, I'm pumped and I'll come back swinging".
Main Photo: 122 on the gate at the big show
Photo: Craig Wasley
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