The argument can be made that the current cradle of worldwide motorcycle racing is the town of Kurri Kurri, Australia, population 5,644.
Both 2007 MotoGP World Champion Casey Stoner and two-time and reigning AMA Supercross champion Chad Reed grew up in the small town north of Sydney. They never raced against each other since Reed is 4 years older than Stoner, but they knew each other and their families.
“We have close upbringings,” Reed said. “It’s neat. You’re watching MotoGP, and they announce that he’s from Australia, he’s from Kurri Kurri, and it’s the same town.”
Reed won AMA Supercross titles in 2004 and 2008 with Yamaha before switching to Suzuki this season. He leads the series standings, 246-238, over rival James Stewart with six races remaining.
But Reed hasn’t lost that loving feeling for MotoGP. He’s a rabid fan, especially of Stoner and six-time MotoGP World Champion and inaugural Red Bull Indianapolis GP winner Valentino Rossi.
“I definitely root for Casey,” Reed said. “But it’s kind of hard because I’m a huge Valentino fan. I find it hard to choose which one to go for. I just want a good race, both of them to get out front, and let the best man win.
“But definitely, it’s hard not to be a Rossi fan. I know all the guys real well. So I have a little small connection to that team, so I root for them, for sure.”
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