Reed signs for Yamaha in 250s.

The Australian motocross world received a welcome boost this week when it was announced that 20-year-old supercross sensation Chad Reed had been snapped up to ride for the Yamaha factory team for the 2003/2004 season.

Reed signed a two-year deal to contest the 250 Supercross and 250 Outdoor Nationals beginning next year and, after an all-conquering year in the 125 East indoor series this winter, he has already stated that his aim is now to win both the American 250cc Supercross and Motocross championships.

"My goal is to win the 125 championships, gain even more experience, and be ready to win in the 250 class next year," Reed said, "I couldn't have scripted the start to this year any better, winning and signing with Team Yamaha. In the last few years alone, [John] Dowd, [Ernesto] Fonseca, [Stephane] Roncada, [Kevin] Windham and [Jeremy] McGrath have all won championships on their Yamaha YZ's, so I hope my name will be added to that list!"

Reed will continue his quest for the 2002 125cc East Supercross and 125 National Championships aboard his Yamaha of Troy YZ250F four-stroke before moving up to the bigger class next season.

"Chad's been amazing for the Yamaha of Troy team this year," explained Keith McCarty, team Yamaha Factory race manager, "He's holeshot and won, he's won from the back of the pack, he looks smooth and aggressive simultaneously. The backside of triple-jumps could be made from glass and Chad wouldn't scratch the surface."

Smooth, tactical, and fast, the Australian is expected to be among the favourites to win in the 250cc class next year, and he is already hoping to get some class action at the end of the 2002 campaign.

Reed is looking to achieve some seat time on a 250 during the closing rounds of the current AMA EA Sports Supercross Series. and thinks some time on the bike this year would do him good.

"I'd like to ride 250s the rest of the season if I wrap up the [125] championship tonight," Reed said just hours before the St Louis race which brought him the East division crown, "I would like to kind of use the rest of the season as a preparation for the outdoors and to just have some fun."

Reed said he could also play a part in helping fellow Yamaha rider David Vuillemin towards wresting the 250 Supercross championship back from Ricky Carmichael. When asked if he planned on racing the East/West Shootout in Las Vegas, Reed brought up the possibility of helping Vuillemin.

"As far as racing in Las Vegas, I think a lot of it depends on how David is doing in the points," he pointed out, "I guess if there's a tight points battle between David and Ricky, I might be able to get in there and at least put another bike on the track in effort to help Yamaha."