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Photo - Ben Townley at Ballykelly, where he clinched the MX2 World No 1 plate:
SsangYong - Press Release:
World MX2 MotoCross champion, Ben Townley, who hails from Taupo, is Returning to New Zealand: this week, arriving at Auckland International Airport on Friday morning (November 26) @ 6.00am, Flight QF26.
On his arrival, Ben will be handed the keys of a brand new SsangYong Rexton for him to use while he is in New Zealand.
SsangYong New Zealand has become a major sponsor of motorcycle sport this past year, sponsoring the national motocross championships.
"We were so thrilled at Ben’s success, that we decided to show our support for his magnificent achievement by giving him the use of our top model Rexton whenever he is in New Zealand," says Russell Burling, MD of SsangYong New Zealand.
Ben has returned a little earlier than planned to attend the annual Motorcycle New Zealand Awards dinner at Sky City on Saturday evening, November 27.
Ben Townley – World Champion MotoCross MX2- 2004:
Ben Townley from Taupo, New Zealand, achieved his ambition and realised all the promise he had shown in his young days, by winning the world motocross MX2 championship this year, and with a round to spare – such was his domination.
Townley, who turns 20 on December 9th, started riding a motorcycle at the age of 6, moved up, competing in junior motocross at 8 years of age, and by 10 was a New Zealand junior motocross champion.
From there, he progressed through the ranks, wining national titles with ease, as well as the Australian junior 125cc title in 1999. "B.T." then decided – with the support of his parents – to take on the world in 2001 – at 16 years of age.
His first year - 2001 - was one of learning – both the tracks and learning to live by himself overseas. By 2002 his talent and determination began to shine through, to the extent that he won his first GP in Sweden and achieved numerous podium finishes. The Kiwi had made his break through.
After signing a factory deal with Austrian motorcycle manufacturer KTM for 2003, Ben was tipped as favourite for the title but it was not to be his year - a life-threatening injury at the start of the season while training in America, curtailed his competition programme until halfway through the season. His determination and will to win overcame all and by the end of the season, Ben was challenging for GP victory and again was back on the podium.
So to 2004, and Townley was the man to beat in the MX2 class for 125cc 2-strokes or 250cc 4-strokes. He won the world championship with a round to spare on his prototype KTM SX250F 250cc four stroke bike, that bike now back in New Zealand as a gift from KTM.
16 rounds, 32 races, in countries all over Europe with the final round in South Africa, and the young kiwi convincingly beat them all, in a sport which in Belgium, for example, is No 2 in popularity behind soccer.
For Townley it was a dream and ambition come true, and now, for next season he moves up to the larger capacity MX1 class, where he will be competing against his best friend, with whom he has been flatting in Belgium – Josh Coppins.
Since winning the world championship, Townley has been involved in testing next year’s KTM SX450F bike. He plans to take part in one meeting and some public appearances while he is here.
Townley joins an impressive list of past New Zealand world champions in motorcycle sport – stars like Ronnie Moore, Barry Briggs and Ivan Mauger in speedway, Hugh Anderson on track, and Shayne King in motocross.
Ben Townley – Profile
Born : 9 December 1984 at Taupo.
Education : School certificate; the world university of motor cycle GP racing
Occupation : Professional motocross rider
Height : 175cm
Weight : 70kg
Hobbies : Training, BMX, squash, mountain biking, jet-skiing – anything challenging.
Favourite circuit : Digger McEwan Park, Taupo; Gaillac, France.
Racing highlights : First GP victory in Sweden 02, 2nd place podium in GP
Netherlands 02, NZ and Australian junior titles, world MX2 championship 04.
GP podiums : 16
Teams ridden for : Redbull KTM (Team USA), Champ KTM (Team Europe).
Mechanic : Craig Behl.
Current machine : factory KTM SX 450F (for 2005 season)
Favourite food : Tortellini, Banana milkshake
Favourite book : It’s not about the bike – Lance Armstrong.
Ambition : To be MX1 world champion and conquer the US.
New Zealand results : 12 titles
International results : 33rd - 125cc GP 01 (rookie year);
6th - 125cc GP 02;
11th - 125cc GP 03;
World Champion - MX2 2004.
