Ben Townley wins AMA motocross season opener

New Zealand’s top motocross talent and former MX2 world champ, Ben Townley,
has won the opening round of the AMA Toyota Motocross championship in front
of a sell out crowd in Sacramento, California.
Having wrapped up the Supercross Lites East coast championship less than
a month prior, the Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/ Kawasaki star has rocketed
his way into the outdoor season with a 2-1 finish for overall honours,
in front of team-mate Ryan Villopoto.

22-year-old Townley grabbed a good start in moto 1 but lost the front end in an off
camber muddy turn on lap one. He recovered quickly, and joined the back of the leading
train of riders, assessing their every move. An exciting battled ensued, with Townley
passing both Ryan Villopoto and Ryan Dungey in the same turn to move into second
behind fast starter Josh Grant. ‘BT’ relegated the Californian as he blasted into the lead
but a charging Villopoto soon took over from the Kiwi. Townley hounded his younger
team-mate to the checkered flag for a Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/ Kawasaki 1-2 finish.

The second and deciding moto was to be Townley’s from the word go. Number 101 shot
out of the gate to claim the hole-shot and never looked back. Townley’s smooth riding
style and ability to stand in the rougher technical sections saw him pull a steady, sizeable
gap over Villopoto. Unchallenged, Townley saluted the enthusiastic partisan crowd to
take his first ever outdoor Motocross Lites win.

“I really didn’t know what to expect today” commented Townley. “My season has started
well and I got a lot of momentum going after the Supercross although I got caught up in
the first moto and didn’t ride how I should have. I was frustrated and went back and
assessed the race with the guys and we changed a few settings on the bike. The hole-hot
helped a lot. I got the lead and rode really consistent, put my laps down and picked
some good lines. Once I got into my own rhythm I rode like I know how and it was
a whole different Ben Townley out there.” Townley heads to High Point raceway in
Mt Morris next weekend for round two of the AMA Toyota Motocross championship.
story www.bentownleymx.com photo: RacerX Canada