Australian Chad Reed could again be headed for the top in the United States.

After an uncertain start to his 2011 campaign, when a team contract was impossible to find and setting up his own race team seemed the only option, the man from Kurri Kurri, New South Wales, has been quick to make things happen.

On a privateer Honda, he finished a close runner-up (just four points behind champion Ryan Villopoto) in the United States Supercross Championships and he now leads the outdoor US Motocross Championships.

Reed won the day at round four of the AMNA motocross series at Budd’s Creek, Mechanicsville, Maryland, just south of Washington D.C., at the weekend.

He finished third in the day’s first open class race but bounced back to win the second, giving him the overall for the day and maintaining his 15-point series lead over factory Kawasaki rider Villopoto.

“I was bummed after the first moto,” Reed said. “I just didn’t have the pace. I came out in the second and gave it all I had. I’m pumped. We made some changes to the bike and it paid off. I’m excited to come out and win that second moto. These guys are on their game this season and it hasn’t been easy.”

Villopoto was second at the weekend only by virtue of the count-back rule – he won the first moto and was third in the second.

“I felt good today,” Villopoto said. “I just needed to pick some better lines in that second moto. It was a good day overall. There’s still a lot of racing left this season.”

Defending champion Ryan Dungey (Suzuki) was third after finishing second in both motos.

“It was a good day, I just couldn’t make it happen,” Dungey said. “I felt like I needed to make a move (on Reed), but it never happened. I had to come from behind a couple times. It’s what racing is all about. It’s a man’s sport and it’s challenging. We’ll just keep moving forward.”

South Africa’s Tyla Rattray topped the 250 Class, finishing second and first on his Kawasaki.

Rattray has two victories this season and leads the championship standings.

“I think it’s important in a championship to be up front,” Rattray said.

“It’s important to be on podium as much as you can, and that’s what I’ve done so far. I just want to get big points at each round and stay consistent. Having such strong competitors makes you dig deeper, and I just want it really bad.”

© Photo by Andy McGechan, www.BikesportNZ.com