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This report is from Ben Townley`s PR man, Glen Dempsey.
Visit BT30 @ his website BenTownleyMX.Com:
It features his latest news, pictures, profile etc. and while you are there, leave a message for the young Kiwi in his `Guestbook`.
The fast and furious “Talkessel” circuit of Teutschenthal has certainly delivered a mixed outcome for motocross star, Ben Townley. The factory KTM rider gained and then lost his points advantage in a unexpected day of events.
BT lined up alongside Champ KTM team-mate, de Reuver and former multiple world champ, Allessio Chiodi, for the start of heat one. BT jumped well but a few metres later, caught the elbow of de Reuver which could have been detrimental to both riders. The Kiwi managed to miss a first turn pile up and then pushed his way through to fourth by the end of the first lap. After a series of cleverly calculated passing moves on Machio, Sword and Chiodi, BT snatched the lead from Italian, Claudio Federici on lap five. He controlled the race from there onwards, putting together a string of consistent lap times. Two laps before the end, officials red flagged the race after Andrea Bartolini had an horrendous crash on the final, high speed ski jump before the finish line.
“I pushed through on the first few laps and then just kept watching the pit board to keep my times consistent. Machio picked the pace up a little but I had room for extra,” said Townley.
The second heat of the day seemed to go pretty much according to plan for the Kiwi. In almost a mirror image of race one the youngster passed Sword and Federici before closing down Frenchman, Michaël Machio. Slipping past Machio and into the lead, BT set a blistering pace and immediately opened a comfortable gap. Around the halfway mark disaster struck for BT – a mistake before the take off of a steep downhill jump sent bike and rider tumbling down the other side. A bruised BT picked up his mangled bike and called it a day as he returned to the pits.
“I don’t know what happened,” explained Townley. “I was riding so well and making no mistakes at all. I wasn’t even riding on the limit. I am so disappointed. My body aches all over but that comes with job I suppose.”
2004 MX2 Point standings:
1. Sword Stephen, GBR, Kawasaki, 197
2. Townley Ben, NZL, KTM, 19
3. Rattray Tyla, RSA, KTM, 152
4.Mc Farlane Andrew, AUS, Yamaha, 150
5.Maschio Michaël, FRA, Kawasaki, 124
6.De Reuver Marc, NED, KTM, 121
7.Cairoli Antonio, ITA, Yamaha, 114
8.Dobb Jamie, GBR, Honda, 105
9.Leok Aigar, EST, KTM, 93
10.Nunn Carl, GBR, Honda, 91
