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Photo - Ben at Namur:
This report is from Ben Townley`s PR man, Glen Dempsey.
Visit Ben @ his website: BentownleyMX.com:
It features his latest news, pictures, profile etc. and while you're there, leave a message for the young Kiwi in his `Guestbook'.
The MX2 riders lined up in the view of thousands of spectators gathered on the esplanade for the start of their first gruelling forty minutes plus race. Townley was placed in the middle of the pack going into the first turn and by the time he rocketed out of the arena he had already snuck into the top ten. Fifteen minutes into the race, BT suddenly picked up his pace and started to reel the front runners in, closing the gap by more than one second a lap. As Townley was poised to make his move on Aussie, Andrew McFarlane for fifth, the youngster pulled to the side of the track with an unfortunate technical problem. Townley waved to the team of KTM mechanics to signal that he would make a pit stop but the damage had been done and he was forced to retire.
“I wasn’t making any ground in the first half of the race just thinking too much about riding safe. That’s not the way I like to ride so I told myself to get a move on and I was closing down the guys in front of me quite fast. It’s unfortunate that I couldn’t finish the race – I really wanted to win!” explained Townley.
Determined to make amends in race two, the KTM Champ star, carved his way through the pack in the opening minutes of the race. His newest challenger was the likeable Fin, Jussi Vehvilainen who had grabbed the hole-shot. After relegating Mc Farlane to third BT found some good traction going up a three part step section and by the time the KTM 250F reached the top, Townley had powered his way past Vehvilainen for the lead. Accustomed to this position, Townley posted some fast consistent laps to give him some breathing space however with two laps to go, Townley was experiencing some pressure from fellow team-mate, Marc de Reuver. Townley stood his ground and crossed the finish line for his first ever race win at the famous Citadelle ciruit.
“I really wanted to win at least one race here in Namur. This is said to be the most demanding circuit in the world and to win a race here is just awesome. Halfway through I relaxed a little too much and Marc made some time on me. It’s difficult to hear the bikes in the forest so it’s not easy to judge how far the guy behind you is. I’ve only lost one point on my championship lead so with three GP’s to go I still have a healthy advantage with ninety-three points,” said Townley.
2004 MX2 Point standings
1. Townley Ben, NZL, KTM, 497
2. Rattray Tyla , RSA, KTM, 404
3. Sword Stephen, GBR, Kawasaki, 382
4. Cairoli Anonio, ITA, Yamaha, 337
5. McFarlane Andrew, AUS, Yamaha, 329
6. Chiodi Alessio, ITA, Yamaha, 318
7. Maschio Michaël, FRA, Kawasaki, 303
8. Nunn Carl, GBR, Honda, 253
9. Caps Patrick, BEL, Yamaha, 248
10. Federici Claudio, ITA, Yamaha, 207
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