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Ben Townley looks back on NZ victory - 2012 preview
News Saturday 30th December 2011 By Andy McGechan
New Zealand's Ben Townley has had a hurtful run of luck over the past few years, but now the Kiwi international is back from the brink and putting the hurt on everybody else … on the Kiwi motocross scene at least.
The 27-year-old Taupo rider’s latest comeback from injury saw him completely dominate the Yamaha-sponsored 40th annual Whakatane Summercross in the Bay of Plenty, the day after Boxing Day.
He took his Carlton Dry Honda CRF450 to win five MX1 races from five starts, convincingly out-performing national MX1 champion Cody Cooper (Moto City Suzuki RM-Z450), of Mount Maunganui, former world championship Grand Prix star Josh Coppins (MXDK Rockstar Yamaha YZ450F), of Motueka, fellow Kiwi international Mason Phillips (Patterson O’Connor Kawasaki KX450F), from Papamoa, and Taupo’s Nick Saunders (Daryll August Motorcycles Kawasaki KX450F), along with the rest of the cream of New Zealand’s open class riders.
“I got really good starts and was able to maintain that. I kept up the intensity, although Cody (Cooper) was close to me in the first three races,” said Townley.
“Although I won all five races today, I really have a lot of respect for Cody and for Josh (Coppins) too. Josh is almost 10 years older than me and for him to ride at this pace after being off the bike with injury these past couple of months, is pretty remarkable too.
“I have to say the nationals (which kick off near Timaru, in South Canterbury, on February 12) will be very interesting indeed.”
Both Cooper and Coppins were also happy with their performances at Summercross, with the upcoming national championships their key focus for the season.
“I’m a little bit fatigued after five races today but I know what I have to work on ahead of the nationals,” said the 28-year-old Cooper.
“My speed feels good and I think the nationals are going to be close. Ben was riding well and he deserved the win today.”
Coppins showed remarkable pace for a man only just back on a bike after serious injury.
“I’m happy with today considering I’ve been out of action for four months,” said the 34-year-old South Islander.
“This was only my fifth day back on the Yamaha. I should be closer to peak form by the time the Woodville Motocross rolls around. It’s a long season – I’ve got the Australian nationals to race as well – and I don’t want to be peaking too early.
“I just need more bike time. I knew I wasn’t ready to win today but I’m not far off,” he smiled.
Honda also claimed top honours in the MX2 (250cc) class at Summercross with Taupo’s Cam Dillon (Huka Honda CRF250) finishing 1-1-2-2-2 in his five outings.
Runner-up in the class was Mount Maunganui’s Rhys Carter (Moto City Suzuki RM-Z250), with Hamilton’s Darryll King (MXDK Rockstar Yamaha YZ250), Mangakino’s Kayne Lamont (BikesportNZ.com Suzuki RM-Z250) and Wellington’s Jayden Jessup (TSS Motorcycles KTM 250SXF) rounding out the top five.
“I knew that, to come here and win today, I had to be consistent,” said the 19-year-old Dillon.
“It’s a confidence-booster for me ahead of the nationals but I know the other riders will go away now and get stronger before the nationals start. It’s just going to get harder for me from here on,” he shrugged.
“It’s going to be a good national championships.”
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