Chad Reed has said his TwoTwo Motorsports/Bel-Ray Racing team can hold its head high after a successful debut year despite the disappointment of falling short of an outdoors title.
The Australian rider heads to Pala Raceway in California this weekend for the twelfth and final round of the Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship in which he is assured of third position.
Despite a lacklustre run of results, Reed still holds bragging rights for overall wins, notching up four early on as he surged to a double-digit points advantage.
65 points shy of second after Steel City, the 2009 outdoors champion admitted he had lacked the pace of the leaders in the second-half of the season but said his team could be proud of their efforts this year.
"We were up against it from the start but the Supercross season showed that when you surround yourself with the right people and are on the right bike, you can get it done," said Reed.
"We had a dream start to the outdoors and felt as though we were in with a real shot at the championship.
"Spring Creek put a dampener on that but what hurt the most was trying to get that confidence and pace back over the next few rounds ‰ÛÒ it let the two Ryan's close in and build the momentum which they currently have.
"Third is still a solid effort and the team at TwoTwo Motorsports can hold their heads high after this season and 2011 as a whole.
"We'll give it everything this weekend to say thanks to all of the fans ‰ÛÒ old and new ‰ÛÒ that have spurred us on this year."
The 450 class is currently led by Ryan Villopoto with Ryan Dungey 14 points behind.
450 Class Championship Standings
1. Ryan Villopoto, Poulsbo, Wash., Kawasaki - 481
2. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., Suzuki - 467
3.Chad Reed, Kurri Kurri, Australia, Honda - 402
4. Brett Metcalfe, Mannum, Australia, Suzuki - 342
5. Mike Alessi, Victorville, Calif., KTM - 272
6. Jake Weimer, Rupert, Idaho, Kawasaki - 251
7. Andrew Short, Colorado Springs, Colo., KTM - 196
8. Kevin Windham, Baton Rouge, La., Honda - 193
9. Justin Brayton, Fort Dodge, Iowa, Yamaha - 191
10. Davi Millsaps, Murrieta, Calif., Yamaha - 173
