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This report is from Ben Townley`s PR man, Glen Dempsey.
Visit Ben @ his BenTownleyMX.Com: website.
It features his latest news, pictures, profile etc. and while you are there, leave a message for the young Kiwi in his `Guestbook`.
New Zealand’s MX prodigy, Ben Townley has regained the MX2 World championship leaders board at the Portuguese GP in Agueda. The seventeen thousand strong partisan crowd were welcomed with sunny skies and an exciting racing program.
BT lost no time in rocketing to the front of Race One aboard his factory KTM 250F and was closely followed by Champ KTM team mate De Reuver. Consistent lap times from Townley seemed too much for the Dutchman as he made a mistake and handed the win to the Kiwi in the early stages of the race.
“I was trying to focus on my lap times and not worry who was behind me. The track was really awesome and I was enjoying it out there. I managed to build a comfortable lead and took it easier towards the end of the race when I knew the win was in the bag.” said Townley after his first heat victory.
It was Scotsman, Stephen Sword who grabbed the hole-shot in Race Two, however BT was hot on his heels by the end of lap one. The two riders left the rest of the field in the distance and were both posting consistently fast lap times. BT seemed to be biding his time in the first half of the race when at the twenty-five minute mark the determined youngster started his assault on Sword.
BT looked set to pass him when the two racers flew side by side over a fast ski-jump – unfortunately for the Kiwi, Sword had the inside line. The energy spent in trying to pass was just too much to execute yet another attack on the leading position. Townley would have to settle for second.
“I was keeping an eye on the clock and decided with ten minutes to go I should start pressurising Stephen. I almost had him but then he posted a few fast laps and I just didn’t have an answer for him. I’m glad to have won the overall and it looks like we are going to have some close racing at the next GP in Valkenswaard” commented the New Zealander.
2004 MX2 Point standings:
1. Townley Ben, NZL, KTM, 119
2. Sword Stephen, GBR, Kawasaki, 119
3. De Reuver, NED, KTM, 103
4. McFarlane Andrew, AUS, Yamaha, 98
5. Rattray Tyla, RSA, KTM, 83
6. Leok Aigar, EST, KTM, 75
7. Dobb Jamie, GBR, Honda, 71
8. Maschio Michaël, FRA, Kawasaki, 67
9. Nunn Carl, GBR,Honda, 56
10. Cairoli Antonio, ITA, Yamaha, 55
