REED STARTS 2009 SUPERCROSS TITLE DEFENCE

Reigning World and AMA Supercross Champion Chad Reed starts his 2009 title defence this weekend at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, California with the Rockstar Makita Suzuki team.

Reed - fresh from his victory in the inaugural Australasian Supercross Championship in Australia - dominated all three rounds at Anaheim last year on his way to his second AMA Supercross title. The three-race sweep marked the first time the Australian rider had won at Angel Stadium since 2004 and is a record he shares with former AMA Supercross Champion James Stewart as the only riders to dominate every race.

Alongside Reed on the Rockstar Makita RM-Z450 Suzukis lined up for the 17-round Monster Energy-supported series is Michael Byrne, who finished fourth in the 2008 series, and Mike Alessi, who spent most of the season injured.

In the Lites class Rockstar Makita will be represented by Ryan Dungey and Nico Izzi aboard the new RM-Z250 Suzukis.

Dungey, who finished runner-up in the West Coast Lites series in 2008, said:" The field is so deep in the Lites class that I could probably name several guys that are going to be fast. I'm just going to train hard and work towards being 100% fit for the start of the season."

2009 Monster Energy Supercross Schedule:

1) January 3 - Anaheim, California.2) January 10 - Phoenix, Arizona.3) January 17 - Anaheim, California.4) January 24 - Houston, Texas.5) January 31 - San Francisco, California.6) February 7 - Anaheim, California.7) February 14 - San Diego, California.8) February 21 - Atlanta, Georgia.9) February 28 - Indianapolis, Indiana.10) March 7 - Daytona, Florida.11) March 14 - New Orleans, Louisiana.12) March 21 - St Louis, Missouri.13) March 28 - Toronto, Ontario.14) April 4 - Jacksonville, Florida.15) April 18 - Seattle, Washington.16) April 25 - Salt Lake City, Utah.17) May 2 - Las Vegas, Nevada.