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SX: The Burning Question - What Does No #22 Mean?
Owner/racer Chad Reed was arguably the story of the developing Supercross season; with #22 sidelined, what does that mean for the championship as a whole?
Brandon Short  |  Posted February 23, 2012   Atlanta, GA
PROGRAMMING NOTE: Round 8 of the Monster Energy Supercross Championship from Atlanta, GA will air LIVE on SPEED Saturday, February 25 at 7:30pm ET. #SXonSPEED

Ryan Villopoto won his third consecutive race last weekend in Dallas, giving him four for the season and making him the true rider to beat in the 2012 Monster Energy Supercross Championship. However, his triumph wasn’t the biggest story coming out of Dallas, nor is it the headliner going into this weekend’s round in Atlanta.

Instead, Chad Reed’s unfortunate crash that has likely knocked him out of competition for the remainder of 2012 is hogging the spotlight. As a result, many are wondering what the impact of his loss will mean to the rest of the Supercross season and how the championship will play out in his absence.

Bottom line, Reed was on it this season. He was arguably riding stronger than we’ve ever seen him ride, and he was doing in the face of the stiffest competition in the sport’s history. Over the past two weeks, he was the only rider to hold a candle to the pace Villopoto was setting, and it was motivating him to ride even more exceptionally.

Confidence just might be the single most important factor that determines Supercross success outside of raw talent. Reed was making obvious what believing in one's ability can do for a rider… right up until the accident. Sure, he was going to be 30 years old by the end of this season, but he wasn’t about to lie down and let his younger counterparts get the best of him. Villopoto is on his game right now, but Reed was genuinely keeping him honest -- something that can't be said of the other championship contenders.

The full impact of the Australian's departure remain to be seen. However, in terms of buzz and sheer excitement surrounding each round… you can already feel the hit. Supercross in a thrilling sport by its very nature, so energy is never a problem, but there was an added intensity thanks to the droves of fans that were behind the cagey Reed and his dogged, fearless approach.
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