Image: Supplied.

Chad Reed says he’s encouraged by his showing at the weekend’s Monster Energy Cup in Las Vegas, which saw him take on the event despite minimal bike time aboard a privateer Honda.

The two-time AMA Supercross champion, whose plans for 2020 are still uncertain, recorded a consistent 8-10-12 scorecard for ninth overall in the triple crown format.

The off-season race marked Reed’s first outing since suffering multiple injuries at the Seattle supercross in March, the New South Welshman making a last-minute decision to pilot Honda machinery after negotiations to continue with JGRMX Yoshimura Suzuki Factory Racing fell flat in recent months.

“You obviously acknowledge and know that it’s going to be a tough weekend,” Reed stated in an interview with RacerX. “I think I finished 10th overall. The potential that I feel is there – that’s what you always want.

“Generally, though on paper it looks like we’re far off, I feel like with some time we can get there. I’m encouraged by the weekend. We had no issues – everything went smooth.”

Reed also indicated the CRF450R he used in Las Vegas will likely be shipped to New Zealand for the Monster Energy S-X Open Auckland next month, following by his annual homecoming at the AUS-X Open Melbourne.