Ben Townley - Honda CRF450R -
Photo by Ray Archer
Ben Townley notches up a second Honda CRF450R victory in two meetings
A hot, breezy, fast and intense Grand Prix of USA at the challenging Glen Helen circuit in eastern California was the scene of the sixth round of fifteen in the 2010 FIM World Championship. Former MX2 world champ, current AMA title contender and GP wild-card, Ben Townley, expertly guided his CRF 450R across the finish line in first position for the second meeting in succession. The Troy Lee Designs Lucas Oil Honda man claimed victory in the second moto at the first USGP since 1999 and first since 1992 at Glen Helen on Memorial Day weekend and in front of 16,000 spectators who braved unrelenting sunshine and temperatures in the low ‘30s.
Returning from several seasons plagued with injury, New Zealander Ben Townley was in fine form as he escaped to victory in the second moto. Unfortunately Ben was left to curse his retirement in the first moto, the result of bike damage sustained in a tussle with Mike Alessi while fighting for second spot. This ultimately put Ben out of the hunt for the overall win.
On the day
Townley had to settle for 8th spot overall and reflect on what could have been, had he not suffered rather cruel luck on his first time out. The impressive Italian Antonio Cairoli took the overall win on his factory KTM 350 EX-F but can perhaps count himself lucky that Townley dropped out of the first moto, and out of contention for the overall win.
LS Motors Honda David Guarneri was also in good form and had a productive meeting. The Italian scored two top ten finishes for 7th overall and can take encouragement from his showing, particularly in the second moto where his pace – for virtually the entire 35 minute and 2 lap race – was on a par with the fight for 3rd spot just ahead of him on the track.
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Ben Townley - Honda CRF450R -
Photo by Ray Archer
LS Motors Honda David Guarneri
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 Ben Townley, Troy Lee Designs Lucas Oils Honda:
“It was awesome and a great feeling to win. It doesn’t matter what race it was but to beat the best people in the world – whether in America or Europe – is the goal I was aiming for. I am not anywhere near how could I can be and when that point arrives then it will be pretty cool. I felt like I had some of the old magic back a little bit after the qualification race yesterday and it come together today. Following Mike and Tony was not hard for me, so speed-wise I don’t have a problem.
Davide Guarneri, LS Motors Honda:
“It was a good GP. I have had some problems in the past with the really hot weather but today was not bad, I lost two positions on the last lap because I was completely finished. In the second moto I was keeping pace with Alessi and Cairoli; I did not start that strongly but was building my speed.”
Roger Harvey, Off-road Manager, Honda Motor Europe:
“It was great to see Ben Townley running at the speed we know he and the bike are capable of and it shows the good work the guys are doing in the US to have him competitive in the AMA one weekend and then winning here and beating the best in the world the next.”
For all media enquiries, please contact
Tom Hobbs in the Honda Motor Europe Press Office www.hondaproracing.com
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