Motocross: Chad Reed And Dunlop Part Ways

Shan Moore | July 18, 2014

Chad Reed’s TwoTwo Motorsports and Dunlop have agreed to mutually end their partnership, which will allow Reed’s team to expand their relationship with its title sponsor, Discount Tire. Dunlop had been the official race tire of Chad Reed and TwoTwo Motorsports for the past four years.

“I’m very thankful for the support Dunlop has shown TwoTwo Motorsports and myself since 2010,” said Reed. “Over the past four years, I have had the privilege to watch Dunlop develop cutting-edge products for my team and the industry. As an independent team owner I am forced to make hard decisions. I would sincerely like to extend my gratitude to the entire Dunlop team and wish them nothing but success moving forward. We are excited for the future of TwoTwo Motorsports and the impact we continue to make on the industry.”

According to Dunlop, Reed will finish out the season without Dunlop support. The speculation is that Reed will switch to Pirelli through TwoTwo Motorsports’ title sponsor, Discount Tires, and the move is motivated by the need to secure sponsorship money.

“Dunlop always encourages the expansion of our sport, especially in the case of a sponsor from outside the motorcycle industry who has the ability to put motorcycle racing in front of a larger audience,” said Mike Buckley, senior vice president of sales, marketing and R&D. “Chad is a great competitor, and we wish him well for the 2014 season.”

Reed currently sits ninth overall in the Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Series with a highest finish of seventh at RedBud, however, the Aussie off-road star won two rounds of this year’s Supercross series and was having one of his best years in a while when he went down with a broken collarbone in San Diego.