Edited Date/Time
6/21/2015 7:43pm
added some info in a response below
With the rumor-mill turning the past few days with the possibility of Chad Reed closing the doors to Two Two Motorsports, I've been kicking around what I think Chad is going to be doing next. Every time rumors start, I gather my info and try to figure out what's going on, and I thought this one was worth sharing.
What I've heard:
Chad has some sort of injury that is probably going to require surgery (rumor is it's his shoulder).
Chad has been talking to the crew at Yamaha (GuyB has also seen this throughout Supercross)
Yamaha wants to have a in-house factory effort again.
I can imagine Chad is not someone who wants to go down without a fight and as most of us would guess, he probably wants to have a competitive year to end out his career. Between injuries and the stress of trying to run a race team (and trying make it self sufficient money-wise) it's not coming together. It's possibly dropping some of this un-needed stress may get him to where he needs to be to give it "that last shot" he wants.
Yamaha has been rumored to be looking at starting an in-house effort again, which they sort of did when they did the Valli effort with Pourcel last year. Yamaha still has the internal staff for engine and chassis development, along with shop area and a rig. But I can imagine that internally, Yamaha doesn't want to spend the money to run a full program as they did before, especially since spreading this money over to JGR and Star has worked out so well. But they do have a slight problem, they have two riders at Star they have spent a lot of money on to groom and bring to the top of the sport (Webb and Martin) and at this rate there may not be room for both of them at JGR on 450s. So basically, they need another Factory level home for one of these guys to land at.
Thus the high chance that Chad will work out a deal to go back to Yamaha (where he was quite successful and his confidence was high) If he can convince Discount Tire and some of his other sponsors to follow him, this would help Yamaha secure the budget they need to get this program running. Chad would probably be in the position to bring Goose or Lars over if he chooses, but Yamaha will take care of the rest of the staff, working with their engine program (which has a lot of info from JGR plus their own staff's know-how) and KYB for suspension (choice of PSF 1 air fork or SSS spring forks).
Chad could work with this program for a year or two, then end his career on his own terms, without worrying about the team. Then Yamaha is left with a solid program and the ability to keep the riders on Blue that they want. Win-win?
With the rumor-mill turning the past few days with the possibility of Chad Reed closing the doors to Two Two Motorsports, I've been kicking around what I think Chad is going to be doing next. Every time rumors start, I gather my info and try to figure out what's going on, and I thought this one was worth sharing.
What I've heard:
Chad has some sort of injury that is probably going to require surgery (rumor is it's his shoulder).
Chad has been talking to the crew at Yamaha (GuyB has also seen this throughout Supercross)
Yamaha wants to have a in-house factory effort again.
I can imagine Chad is not someone who wants to go down without a fight and as most of us would guess, he probably wants to have a competitive year to end out his career. Between injuries and the stress of trying to run a race team (and trying make it self sufficient money-wise) it's not coming together. It's possibly dropping some of this un-needed stress may get him to where he needs to be to give it "that last shot" he wants.
Yamaha has been rumored to be looking at starting an in-house effort again, which they sort of did when they did the Valli effort with Pourcel last year. Yamaha still has the internal staff for engine and chassis development, along with shop area and a rig. But I can imagine that internally, Yamaha doesn't want to spend the money to run a full program as they did before, especially since spreading this money over to JGR and Star has worked out so well. But they do have a slight problem, they have two riders at Star they have spent a lot of money on to groom and bring to the top of the sport (Webb and Martin) and at this rate there may not be room for both of them at JGR on 450s. So basically, they need another Factory level home for one of these guys to land at.
Thus the high chance that Chad will work out a deal to go back to Yamaha (where he was quite successful and his confidence was high) If he can convince Discount Tire and some of his other sponsors to follow him, this would help Yamaha secure the budget they need to get this program running. Chad would probably be in the position to bring Goose or Lars over if he chooses, but Yamaha will take care of the rest of the staff, working with their engine program (which has a lot of info from JGR plus their own staff's know-how) and KYB for suspension (choice of PSF 1 air fork or SSS spring forks).
Chad could work with this program for a year or two, then end his career on his own terms, without worrying about the team. Then Yamaha is left with a solid program and the ability to keep the riders on Blue that they want. Win-win?
Anyway, I think your story is completely logical and in fact I can see it in front of me. It all makes very much sense. Webb and Martin needs to have a Factory Yamaha ride or Yamaha will lose their promising riders. Reed also has some investments and assets. Reed can therefore focus on racing full time instead of being a manager as well (because that, as you said, doesn't work out when contract and sponsors needs to be negotiated)
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Like I get if it was a young and promising rider like Tomac but Chad? I'm not sure, but you do have a point...
As a fan, it would be cool to see Chad return to his Yamaha roots for his final year(s). Sad to see TwoTwo close up though.
There needs to be a "like" button for your post
The guys accomplishment are awesome. I just do not understand how he has such a gigantic following, he has always been dirty (think ALL of his takeouts). And he has always been a cry baby, it has always been the bikes fault...never his riding.
Pit Row
Good job man!
2) go outside play with the kids
3) shoot some pool with the guys
4) spin some laps on the cart track
5)-10) don't worry about
Also just had a birdie give me a bit of confirmation about Chad Reed being in serious talks with Yamaha for the in-house effort.
This would be a very, very nice way for him to close out his career, just like MC back to Honda for that partial season. Love the idea of him going out on blue.
Plus, he gets that bike and program dialed for Webb or Martin in '17.
Sounds like a win-win.
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