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Contributed by: Ian Miles.
Teenage motocross sensation Ben Townley remains sixth in the world 125 championship after a disappointing day the Austrian Grand Prix.
The 17-year-old brought his Big Five Vangani KTM home in 20th place to score just one point after a dramatic ride of falls and tangles.
First he with his teammate and good friend Tyla Rattray as they flew off the start line. Townley came off second best and was at the back of the 30-bike field in turn one.
Charging back through a pack he is more accustomed to leading, the expat Kiwi fell twice on the rough Karntenring circuit at St Viet south of Salzburg.
“I guess it just wasn’t my day, things didn’t go right,” said the talented youngster who this weekend signed a three-year contract with the mighty KTM factory.
Despite the disappointment, Townley remains sixth in the title chase at midpoint. His 77 points are nine clear of Rattray.
[Ben scored one championship point for his trouble. Last year he would have been delighted with that result]
Townley has no time to reflect on the result: he leaves tomorrow for the USA where he contests the Budds Creek round of the American championship next weekend. He will be back in Europe for the GP of Bulgaria the following week.
The Austrian race was won by reigning champion Jamie Dobb (England), making a one-off comeback to the 125 class after shifting to the 250 category this season.
World 125 championship:
1 Mickael Maschio (France) Kawasaki, 125 points; 2 Patrick Caps (Belgium) KTM, 110; 3 Philippe Dupasquier (Switzerland) KTM, 98; 4 Steve Ramon (Belgium) KTM 97; 5 Alex Puzar (Italy) Husqvarna, 95; 6 Ben Townley (NZ) Big Five Vangani KTM 77; 7 Tyla Rattray (South Africa) Big Five Vangani KTM, 68
