Chad Reed Supercross: Australian great crashes out in Cardiff, will miss Australian leg of WSX

Chad Reed was set to headline the list of riders at the Melbourne leg of the WSX Championship.

Australian motorsport legend Chad Reed has hit back at “soft and fearful” critics calling for him to re-enter retirement following his heavy crash at the FIM World Supercross Championship event in Cardiff that has ruled him out of competing in Melbourne this month.

Reed, 40, crashed out in the opening heat of the British Grand Prix in Wales and suffered a broken hand, broken ribs and dislocated shoulder after what he claimed was a fuel pump issue caused his bike to dive head first into a whoop section of the track.

The multi supercross and motocross champion, who during his peak years was one of Australia’s highest paid professional athletes, recently came out of retirement to race in the WSX Championship and was set to headline the list of riders at the Melbourne leg of the series on October 21-22.

Chad Reed enters Marvel Stadium during the World Supercross Championship press conference in July.

But his crash in Cardiff has now ruled the fan favourite out of competing at his home event, with Reed set for surgery once he lands in Australia.

Reed took to Instagram to vent his frustration over apparent calls for him to retire once more, before revealing the reason for his crash.

“I’ve loved the past 12 or so weeks getting to challenge myself. It brought realisation to just how awesome Supercross as a sport is! Also has made me acknowledge with how soft and fearful most people live, blows my mind how threatening a 40-year-old retired guy enjoying a little grind and a few races can be to some,” he wrote.

“What happened last night is unacceptable and I don’t care if you’re 16 or 60 years old, no one should have to be concerned a fuel pump will go out while enjoying your favourite sport!

“I’m frustrated, mad and beyond disappointed with being broken. But you just have to dig in and ask the right questions, try to implement things to eliminate the issue happening again.

“These broken bones feel no different from my first broken bones at 10 year’s (sic) old.

“You better believe I’ll be back for more hard work and SX grind.”

His wife, Ellie Reed, said she woke up “sick to my stomach” in an emotional Instagram message accompanying an image of her husband and fellow rider Josh Grant watching the remaining races unfold after their crashes.

Former world champion Chad Reed (right) with his wife Ellie and their three children before the British Grand Prix event. Picture: @mrstwotwo on Instagram

“ … When Josh went down I was the first to him. Then (Chad) went down in the exact same spot in the next heat race. So I ran back around again. It was insane,” she wrote.

“Josh’s chain, Chads (sic) bike cut out. Same jump, same crash. (I’m) laying here in the dark feeling all the feels and processing the events.

“This is Moto. This is what average people don’t get. This is the love they’ve had for bikes and racing and their sport.

“I wanted a different outcome. We had plans. I was getting to see my family for the first time in 3 yrs. Kids were excited to see Dad race … instead we (are) now organising surgery, changing flights and both his arms are injured and I’m going to have to do everything for him. (You) just have to handle it. Let go of what was and take on what is.”