3rd overall & second moto wins for Ben Townley at High Point

Former MX2 world champ, Ben Townley, has bounced back from a technical hitch in
moto one to stamp his authority on the final moto at the AMA Toyota Motocross
at High Point raceway in Mt Morris, PA. After setting the fastest lap times in Saturday’s
MX Lites timed sessions, Townley would be the man to beat for the 2 x 30 minutes
moto’s on Sunday. The New Zealander’s chances of extending his Motocross Lites
championship points lead disintegrated in the first meters of moto 1 when he collided
with another rider down the start straight, destroying his front wheel in the crash.

Townley miraculously remounted and completed a full lap with most of his spokes
missing before heading into the pit lane where the Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki
mechanics changed the front wheel, enabling Townley to rejoin the race almost a lap
down. ‘BT’ took the bit between his teeth and charged through the pack moving up the
standings with every lap. By the checkered flag he had clawed his way into 10th
position to salvage valuable championship points. With rougher track conditions
favouring the Kiwi in moto 2, Townley made short work of Ryan Dungey and then
Joshua Grant to take over the lead on the second lap.

Shadowed by fellow teammate Ryan Villopoto in the opening stages, Townley put
his head down and pulled a sizeable gap over Villopoto and was unchallenged to
the finish line.

“I have to thank the Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/ Kawasaki mechanics for a great job
in the first moto - they got me back onto the track with a new front wheel and I was
able to dig deep and save as many points as possible. I really enjoyed the track this
weekend and loved every minute of it. Winning the second moto secured 3rd overall
and a step on the podium for me but I’m not happy about losing points in the champion-
ship. I’m looking forward to the next round in Southwick and riding sand again – my GP
experience and having lived in Belgium is going to be an advantage,” commented Townley.
Townley will have a weeks break in the calendar before heading to the infamous sand
circuit of Southwick in Massachusetts on the 9-10 June.