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From our- Man on the Ground in Europe:
Last weekend I was in Bellpuig for the first round of the MX... Taupo`s Top Man, Ben Townley had told me that he would not be racing and he would just stay at home and train for VALKENSWAARD. Lets just say that I was not surprised when I got an SMS from him at the start of last week reading... \'See you in Spain...!\' The kid\'s a dude!
It wasn\'t the same not to have Josh [Coppins] there and we all missed him but BT was there to represent and he did everyone proud. I think there were a few people walking around a little like stunned mullets that he was there, but for the most part those who mattered were real happy to see him there.
The guy gated well and pushed straight to 4th... man, I was impressed. He stayed there and pushed a bit on Bartolini for a few laps, but as the time slipped by, so did the fitness and he finished strong in 13th. This kid is a serious legend already... if he stopped racing tomorrow, he would be remembered for years to come as a true legend. He had not ridden for 4 months, only started riding a week before the first GP and goes out and shows everyone that he is a serious contender for 2003. All I can say is roll on Round 2.. BT finished 2nd there last year, so this will be one to watch. I am pissed I wont be there as I have to go to England for an event, but I will be on the phone every few minutes for running results.
The 250 MXGP class was interesting, we may all hate Pichon, but the guy is fast and deserves respect... He won over Smets and Everts by 13 seconds... we just need Josh back to really give him some competition. Smets was amazing... He was fastest in qualifying in both 250 MXGP and 650 classes so picked first gates in both races... the guy goes out and gets 2nd in the MXGP, then lines up an hour and a half later and smokes everyone to win the 650 race... The guy must have Kiwi blood in him...!
