Confirmed: Chad Reed earns more than you.

Chad Reed is our 8 million dollar man.
 DECEMBER 15 2007

In testament to the growing popularity of Motocross and Supercross in our country, Chad Reed, Australia’s Supercross and Motocross star, competing in the United States, was recently announced at number 6 in Business Review Weekly’s Top 50 Sports Earners list.
 

The dollar figure is Reed’s base income, with prize money and endorsements extending his yearly income far beyond this mark and potentially doubling the base figure under the right circumstances.
 
Reed made the move to the United States in 2002 to pursue a goal of claiming the Holy Grail of the dirt bike world – the AMA Supercross Championship. He achieved the feat just 3 short years later.
 
But the 24-year-old, who grew up in Kurri Kurri, New South Wales, is extremely modest when it comes to his earnings, citing his love for the sport as his greatest focus.
 
“Knowing that you are financially sound is a great feeling but that is not my motivation,” said Reed. “Every morning I wake up and think to myself how fortunate I am to live the life long dream of racing Motocross and Supercross at the highest level possible.” 

“All I want is to be the best in the world; the financial rewards are just a bonus,” he added. Already looking years ahead, Reed has often given thought to what he can do too actively promote the sport in Australia.
 
When his schedule allows, Reed takes time out to act as a mentor to a number of riders currently competing in the national Australian scene. “Motorcycling has been so good to me, and one of my long term goals is to be actively involved in improving its profile in my home county when I eventually stop racing.” 

His generosity made headlines a few years ago, when he donated his US Open event winnings to fellow Australian rider Jamie Brockman who had suffered a sever spinal injury. The gift was successfully used to assist Brockman’s rehabilitation.  In Reed’s championship year, taking the prestigious 2004 AMA Supercross title, he made position 4 in the influential BRW list.
 
The 2005-06 season brought a number of injuries including his debilitating shoulder injury this year, which left him unable to ride during the latter half of the season. Despite missing part of the motocross season Reed ranked just 1 place lower than current Australian Formula 1 star Mark Webber in earnings this year.

The Australian has kicked off his campaign to win a second AMA title in fine style, winning the opening round of the season in Toronto, Canada two weeks ago then backing it up with another top three finish in Vancouver last weekend. These results have placed Reed well in contention for a second title with the Yamaha rider currently second in the championship rankings after two rounds.