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The picturesque town of Loket in the Czech Republic has presented New Zealand motocross ace, Ben Townley, with another overall GP victory! After a week of nursing bruised limbs and a terrible crash in Saturday’s timed training, the Kiwi star fought through the pain barrier and now leads the MX2 world championship by a whopping ninety-six points.
Going into race one Townley’s main goal was to try and gain as many points possible and as the gate dropped he was boxed in as the field blasted down the start straight. BT kept his cool and entered the top ten by the end of lap one. His superior speed enabled him to pick off a few positions each lap in search of the race leaders. BT powered his way into third before the half way mark and set his sights on reeling in his Dutch team-mate, de Reuver and fast starter, Antonio Cairoli. With five minutes to go, the Kiwi started to eat away at the gap and by the chequered flag he had closed down de Reuver for a cleverly ridden third position finish.
“I didn’t feel too good on the bike and was fighting it until it started to rain a little. I had some problems with the set up and only when the track was slick could I start putting in a charge. I need a better start in the second moto to go for the win” said Townley.
Townley made no mistake that he meant business in the second heat and he just missed out on the hole-shot to young Italian, Antonio Cairoli. BT attacked from the word go and a few corners later the factory KTM launched over a spectacular step down jump and down into the bowl in first position. In true Townley style, the nineteen year old put in fast consistent lap times and never looked back. Townley gladly accepted the black and white chequers, making it his seventh overall victory for the season.
“I almost had the hole-shot but Antonio just got there before me. We changed the set up of the bike for the second heat and it worked amazingly well for me. I’ve had a painfull weekend and I’m so happy to have won today and I’m just short of a 100 points lead,” exclaimed Townley.
2004 MX2 Point standings
1. Townley Ben, NZL, KTM, 472
2. Rattray Tyla , RSA, KTM, 378
3. Sword Stephen, GBR, Kawasaki, 361
4. Mc Farlane, AUS, Yamaha, 300
5. Cairoli Anonio, ITA, Yamaha, 297
6. Chiodi Alessio, ITA, Yamaha, 293
7. Maschio Michaël, FRA, Kawasaki, 283
8. Caps Patrick, BEL, Yamaha, 230
9. Nunn Carl, GBR, Honda, 228
10. Federici Claudio, ITA, Yamaha, 199
