Townley crushes MX Nationals field
The New Zealander's lone appearance in the 2012 Australian Motocross Championship has been a spectacular one, as he dominated from the outsetNew Zealander Ben Townley scored a majestic clean sweep at the opening round of the 2012 Monster Energy MX Nationals in Conondale (Qld) on April 1.
The Carlton Dry Honda Thor Racing rider was relentless in his Australian motocross debut, winning all three races in what is shaping as his lone appearance of the season. Townley will race for Chad Reed’s TwoTwo Motorsports team in American motocross this year.
Townley finished the round with a perfect 75pts, ahead of Josh Coppins (CDR Yamaha, 62) and Todd Waters (Motul Pirelli Suzuki, 54).
“It feels great to win and I felt that my form is as good as it’s ever been,” Townley said. “I’ve been doing a lot of winning in New Zealand, but coming here today was a step up from what I’ve been doing back there. I’m really thankful to the Carlton Dry Honda team and I feel I brought a lot to the team during the pre-season – it showed today.”
In race one, Townley defeated teammate Brad Anderson, with Coppins third. Completing the top five were Water and Coppins’ teammate Lawson Bopping.
The second was again a Townley show, winning over Anderson and Coppins, while Waters was again impressive in fourth from privateer Jake Moss (Campbell Mining/TLD/Maxima Honda).
Moto three was the longest outing in a more traditional length of around 30 minutes, and it was once again 27-year-old Townley who starred. He took victory after turning laps up to three seconds per lap faster than his rivals.
Behind Townley in the final moto was Coppins ahead of Scotland’s Billy Mackenzie (Monster Energy Kawasaki), Waters and Moss, who was exceptional as top privateer finisher in fourth overall on 46pts.
Meanwhile, a mechanical problem ruled Anderson out of the final moto and forced him to settle for fifth overall on 44pts.
Defending four-time champion Jay Marmont endured a frustrating start to his career with Monster Energy Kawasaki, battling injury during the round and claiming seventh overall behind Bopping.
In the Motul MX2 class it was Serco Yamaha Metal Mulisha Racing’s Kirk Gibbs who took out the overall, from Carlton Dry Honda Thor Racing’s Ford Dale and Gibbs’ teammate Luke Styke.
The Pirelli MXD Under 19s category saw a number of newcomers rise to the occasion in Queensland, with Choice Motorsports KTM’s Dylan Long taking out the round win ahead of fellow KTM rider Kayne Lamont and GYTR Yamaha’s Sam Martin.
The championship will continue in Coonabarabran, (NSW) on April 14-15.
Round one results
MX1
1. Ben Townley 75
2. Josh Coppins 62
3. Todd Waters 54
4. Jake Moss 46
5. Brad Anderson 44
6. Lawson Bopping 41
7. Jay Marmont 41
8. Cody Cooper 38
9. Tye Simmonds 38
10. Billy Mackenzie 34
MX2
1. Kirk Gibbs 63
2. Ford Dale 62
3. Luke Styke 57
4. Josh Cachia 56
5. Adam Monea 50
6. Justin McDonald 48
7. Kade Mosig 44
8. Cheyne Boyd 35
9. Lewis Woods 35
10. Brock Winston 31
MXD
1. Dylan Long 72
2. Kayne Lamont 58
3. Sam Martin 49
4. Jay Wilson 48
5. Dylan Leary 47
6. Kale Makeham 45
7. Mitch Norris 43
8. Dion Picard 41
9. Mitch Budd 38
10. Joel Milesevic 34
And here's a taste of the opening round of the 2012 Monster Energy MX Nationals, as seen through the eyes of the CDR Yamaha team...
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