Reigning AMA Supercross champion Chad Reed, a Yamaha rider throughout his AMA career, will switch to Rockstar Makita Suzuki for the 2009 season.

After a brief world championship career, the 26-year-old moved to the AMA in 2002 and has since earned two AMA Supercross Championships (2004 & 2008), an AMA 125cc East Region Championship (2002) and won the 2004 US Open. Over the last six years he has amassed a total of 42 AMA wins and 82 podiums.

Reed will race the 2009 AMA Supercross series and other selected events in the United States as well as compete in Supercross events in his home country of Australia aboard his new EFI RM-Z450.

"I'm extremely excited to be starting a new chapter in my career and to be working with Roger DeCoster and Team Rockstar Makita Suzuki," said Reed. "It will be a whole new experience for me which I'm really looking forward to. I rode Suzukis for a good part of my amateur career and have some great memories from then and now I'm excited to be racing the new Suzuki EFI RM-Z450. I believe this bike and my new team have great potential and I couldn't be happier."

"I am very excited to have been able to sign Chad Reed to Team Rockstar Makita Suzuki," said team manager DeCoster. "Our team has worked very hard to get to the level we are at today and I'm glad we've been able to secure a rider with such accomplishments and determination as Chad so that we may continue to be top contenders. Our sponsors have been extremely supportive over the years and I'm happy that we are able to provide them a top-level rider and team to support him."

"We have a great heritage in racing here at American Suzuki," added Mel Harris of ASMC. "Suzuki has been dominant in the road racing arena for several years and with the introduction of the RM-Z450, and the help of Ricky Carmichael, Roger DeCoster and our dedicated team, we've been able to elevate our position in Supercross and Motocross to that championship level. The signing of Chad helps us reinforce our position and goals for the future of Suzuki racing. We are very happy to have Chad join our team."

Reed, who sat out the AMA Motocross season, is expected to compete in his first race for Rockstar Makita Suzuki at the US Open in Las Vegas on October 10th - 12th.