    |
 |
|
|
|
Photo - Ben Townley on the start line at Agueda:
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'.
KTM factory rider, Ben Townley, suffered a set back today at the Portuguese MX GP in Agueda. The Kiwi experienced some tough blows in both races and was disappointed with his result. Scattered rain showers throughout the weekend made track conditions very difficult but didn’t seem to deter the MX2 reigning world champ.
BT and championship rival, Stefan Everts were parked side by side on the gate for race one however it was the Belgian who would get the better jump of the two. Townley tried to stay clear of the mud and mayhem and completed the first lap coming through in eleventh spot. The one-lined circuit was not helping matters, and Townley looked extremely reserved as he tried to make up positions and break into the top ten. KTM team-mate Steve Ramon, really put a spanner in the works when he took BT down with two laps to go. With Smets, and Pichon out of the race due to mechanical problems, Townley’s golden opportunity to gain valuable championship points on his rivals was now lost. BT still managed to get going again and held on to finish fourteenth.
Looking to better his first race disappointment, Townley had a great start and was right on Everts from the start. As he was following Everts through the third corner he fumbled as Smets snuck up his inside and collided with the pursuing pack of riders. Townley quickly picked up his machine and gave chase. He was setting a blistering pace and was already back into sixteenth position a few laps later when he collided with another rider and went down for the second time. BT rejoined the race after untangling his bike but had lost all race momentum and finished the race just outside the points in twenty-second position.
“The first heat was quite difficult for me after a terrible start – I just couldn’t find a rhythm and should have moved much faster through the pack. I felt really good after the sighting lap of the second heat – I had my lines and was ready to go! After I crashed in the third turn I was riding really strong and was coming back until I crashed again. It’s not good for the championship. No more DNF’s from here. I can’t afford to lose points like this. I’m looking forward to Namen – it’s a technical track and I need to get back into the championship” explained Townley.
Results:
MX1 moto one: 1. Stefan Everts (Yam); 2. Luigi Seguy (Yam); 3. Jussi Vehvilainen (Hon); 4. Josh Coppins (Hon); 5. Pascal Leuret (Hon); 6. Antti Pyrhonen (TM); 7. Ken De Dijcker (Hon); 8. Manuel Priem (Yam); 9. Steve Ramon (KTM); 10. Paul Cooper (Hon); 11. Yoshi Atsuta (Suz); 12. Kornel Nemeth (Suz); 13. Mark Hucklebridge (Hon); 14. Ben Townley (KTM); 15. Antoine Meo (Husky)
MX1 Moto two: 1. Mickael Pichon (Hon); 2. Josh Coppins (Hon); 3. Stefan Everts (Yam); 4. Steve Ramon (KTM); 5. Joel Smets (Suz); 6. Paul Cooper (Hon); 7. Yoshi Atsuta (Suz); 8. Danny Theybers (Suz); 9. James Noble (Hon); 10. Jussi Vehvilainen (Hon); 11. Marvin Van Daele (Hon); 12. Pascal Leuret (Hon); 13. Jonathan Barragan (KTM); 14. Aaron Bernardez (Hon); 15. Antoine Meo (Husky)
MX1 O/A: 1. Stefan Everts (45); 2. Josh Coppins (40); 3. Jussi Vehvilainen (31); 4. Steve Ramon (30); 5. Paul Cooper (26); 6. Mickael Pichon (25); 7. Pascal Leuret (25); 8. Yoshi Atsuta (24); 9. Luigi Seguy (24); 10. Antti Pyrhonen (21); 11. Danny Theybers (18); 12. Manuel Priem (18); 13. Joel Smets (16); 14. Ken De Dijcker (14); 15. Marvin Van Daele (13)
MX1 championship points:
1. Stefan Everts (125/2wins); 2. Mickael Pichon (109); 3. Josh Coppins (101); 4. Joel Smets (96); 5. Ben Townley (85/1); 6. Steve Ramon (75); 7. Paul Cooper (68); 8. James Noble (55); 9. Ken De Dijcker (54); 10. Kevin Strijbos (48); 11. Antti Pyrhonen (43); 12. Danny Theybers (42); 13. Pascal Leuret (40); 14. Jussi Vehvilainen (38); 15. Kornel Nemeth (36)
