New Zealand‰Ûªs top motocross talent and former MX2 world champ, Ben Townley, has won the opening round of the AMA Toyota Motocross championship in front of a sell out crowd in Sacramento, California.
Having wrapped up the Supercross Lites East coast championship less than a month prior, the Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/ Kawasaki star has rocketed his way into the outdoor season with a 2-1 finish for overall honours, in front of team-mate Ryan Villopoto.
22-year-old Townley grabbed a good start in moto 1 but lost the front end in an off camber muddy turn on lap one. He recovered quickly, and joined the back of the leading train of riders, assessing their every move. An exciting battled ensued, with Townley passing both Ryan Villopoto and Ryan Dungey in the same turn to move into second behind fast starter Josh Grant. ‰Û÷BT‰Ûª relegated the Californian as he blasted into the lead but a charging Villopoto soon took over from the Kiwi. Townley hounded his younger team-mate to the checkered flag for a Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/ Kawasaki 1-2 finish.
The second and deciding moto was to be Townley‰Ûªs from the word go. Number 101 shot out of the gate to claim the hole-shot and never looked back. Townley‰Ûªs smooth riding style and ability to stand in the rougher technical sections saw him pull a steady, sizeable gap over Villopoto. Unchallenged, Townley saluted the enthusiastic partisan crowd to take his first ever outdoor Motocross Lites win.
‰ÛÏI really didn‰Ûªt know what to expect today‰Û
