Australian Chad Reed carried on racing after escaping serious injury in one of the scariest crashes of his illustrious motocross career at round seven of the United States Motocross Championships at Spring Creek, in Millville in Minnesota, at the weekend.

In a courageous attempt to limit the damage, Reed fought back to claim 14th place in the race, the day’s second open class outing.

Reed and his bike parted company high in the air on a jump and he plummeted five to six metres into the track below.

Reed has won the opening race and was leading the second when he hit some bumps approaching the track’s largest jump and was catapulted off his Honda CRF450.

Remarkably he remounted and battled back through the pack from last to 14th, sealing fifth overall for the round and retaining the championship lead by six points.

“I hit some bumps and the front wheel just went out from under me,” Reed said.

“The next thing I knew, I was flying through the air. I’m just happy to still be here.

“It’s all about the championship so I wasn’t about to lay down and let these guys gain 25 points. I got back on and rode my best to come back from dead last to 14th.

“It was always going to be a fight and now, it’s definitely going to be that way, but I’m excited for the rest of the races.

While Reed was cleared of serious injury, he will spend a few days recuperating ahead of next weekend’s Washougal National.

Defending champion Ryan Dungey (Suzuki) won the day at Spring Creek, thanks to his 2-1 results, and he remains third in the championship standings, albeit now just one point behind Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto.

The fight for the top spot is now very tight with just seven points to separate Reed from Villopoto and Dungey.

Meanwhile, in the 250cc class, it was another Kawasaki 1-2-3 with team-mates Tyla Rattray, Dean Wilson and Blake Baggett hogging the podium.

South African Rattray won the day with his 2-1 results and Scotsman Wilson took second spot (1-2) but Baggett’s pair of third placings were enough to see him retain his series lead.

450 Class (Moto Finish)

1.      Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., Suzuki (2-1)

2.      Ryan Villopoto, Poulsbo, Wash., Kawasaki (3-2)

3.      Trey Canard, Shawnee, Okla., Honda (5-3)

4.      Mike Alessi, Victorville, Calif., KTM (4-4)

5.      Chad Reed, Kurri Kurri, Australia, Honda (1-14)

6.      Brett Metcalfe, Mannum, Australia, Suzuki (6-5)

7.      Jake Weimer, Rupert, Idaho, Kawasaki (8-6)

8.      Andrew Short, Colorado Springs, Colo., KTM (7-9)

9.      Justin Brayton, Fort Dodge, Iowa, Yamaha (12-7)

10.    Kevin Windham, Baton Rouge, La., Honda (11-10)

450 Class Championship Standings

1.      Chad Reed, Kurri Kurri, Australia, Honda – 300

2.      Ryan Villopoto, Poulsbo, Wash., Kawasaki – 294

3.      Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., Suzuki – 293

4.      Brett Metcalfe, Mannum, Australia, Suzuki – 209

5.      Kevin Windham, Baton Rouge, La., Honda – 193

6.      Davi Millsaps, Murrieta, Calif., Yamaha – 173

7.      Andrew Short, Colorado Springs, Colo., KTM – 156

8.      Mike Alessi, Victorville, Calif., KTM – 151

9.      Jake Weimer, Rupert, Idaho, Kawasaki – 140

10.    Christian Craig, El Cajon, Calif., Honda – 119

250 Class (Moto Finish)

1.      Tyla Rattray, Durban, South Africa, Kawasaki (2-1)

2.      Dean Wilson, Glasgow, Scotland, Kawasaki (1-2)

3.      Blake Baggett, Grand Terrace, Calif., Kawasaki (3-3)

4.      Kyle Cunningham, Aledo, Texas, Yamaha (4-4)

5.      Alex Martin, Millville, Minn., Honda (7-5)

6.      Broc Tickle, Holly, Mich., Kawasaki (6-9)

7.      Wil Hahn, Wichita, Kan., Honda (9-8)

8.      Gareth Swanepoel, Johannesburg, South Africa, Yamaha (5-12)

9.      Gannon Audette, Minneapolis, Minn., Yamaha (15-10)

10.    Jason Anderson, Las Cruces, N.M., Suzuki (14-11)

250 Class Championship Standings

1.      Dean Wilson, Glasgow, Scotland, Kawasaki – 305

2.      Tyla Rattray, Durban, South Africa, Kawasaki – 289

3.      Blake Baggett, Grand Terrace, Calif., Kawasaki – 284

4.      Kyle Cunningham, Aledo, Texas, Yamaha – 199

5.      Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Honda – 190

6.      Broc Tickle, Holly, Mich., Kawasaki – 170

7.      Justin Barcia, Ochlocknee, Ga., Honda – 152

8.      Gareth Swanepoel, Johannesburg, South Africa, Yamaha – 145

9.      Martin Davalos, Quito, Ecuador, Suzuki – 128

10.    Darryn Durham, Butler, Pa., Honda – 122

© Photo by Andy McGechan, www.BikesportNZ.com