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Photo - BT takes in the fresh air at Veldhoven.
This report is from Ben Townley`s manager, 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'.
Ben Townley’s season is far from done yet. The newly crowned MX2 world champion is chasing one more title before he stops for the winter and a well deserved break. One of the Kiwi’s last challenges of the year was the penultimate round of the Dutch championship in Veldhoven where he dominated the day in cold Autumn winds! After setting the fastest lap time in the morning qualifying session, almost two seconds faster than his closet rival, Townley rolled onto the start line in pole position for the first heat.
Hugging a tight line in the first turn, BT snuck into second place behind young sixteen-year-old Dutch talent, Rinus Van de Ven who had taken the hole-shot on his KTM 125. Van de Ven would not give away his lead and Townley enjoyed hounding the rookie until two laps later when he stamped his authority on the race and passed for the lead. The Champ KTM could not rest though as Portuguese native, Rui Goncalves was tailing and never gave Townley the breathing space he exactly wanted. Both riders had left the rest of the pack in the distance however Townley never made a mistake and took the first victory of the day.
The sand track had almost developed into a mine field with deep holes that had formed around the circuit, much to the advantage of Townley. By the second corner he had snuck into the lead and checked out. Spectators were in awe of the New Zealander’s speed and riding technique as he attacked the obstacles. Man and machine cruised to an easy second win and the overall victory for the day!
Alas, the KTM mechanics could not pack up and go home just yet. The “Super Final” was yet to come, with Townley now going up against the top Open class riders on their more powerful 450cc machines with BT still on his factory KTM 250 F.
A good start would be imperative if BT faced any chance against the heavier monsters. He did just that and was placed fourth going into the second turn when a forced error made him dump it in the sand. Remounting and starting from last position, Townley was not done with just yet. By the end of the first lap he had already picked off some positions and was carrying an unbelievable speed around the cratered circuit. Lap by lap Townley kept working away at the deficit and the crowd could not believe their eyes when the KTM had moved into second position. Lapping the same times as leader Kevin Strijbos (on a 450cc machine), BT was not able to make it onto the top rung of the podium but his ride was still recognised as an incredible feat.
“I really enjoyed myself today!” smiled Townley. “I was having so much fun out there in the sand especially with the pressure of the world championship all gone. I still have one more round to go and hopefully I can wrap up my first Dutch title in two weeks time. The KTM Champ team is totally committed to this championship, more so because they are based here and have Dutch sponsors – a title would be awesome for them too.”
Championship Standings:
Townley Ben, KTM, NZ, 229
Goncalves Rui, Yamaha, POR, 201
van Hastenberg Jan, KTM, NL, 190
van de Ven Rinus, KTM, NL, 163
Brons Pascal, KTM, NL, 153
Verbrugge Dennis, Yamaha, BEL, 145
van Vijfeiken Rob, Yamaha, NL, 135
de Reuver Marc, KTM, NL, 120
Jensen Kasper, Kawasaki, SVE, 119
Tuin Nick, KTM, NL, 109
Super Final :
Strijbos Kevin, Suzuki, BEL
Townley Ben, KTM, NZ
Anti Pyrhonen, TM, FIN.
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