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Official KTM Press Release:
KTM is pleased to announce the signing of a new one year agreement with Ben Townley to race in the MX1 class in 2005.
Ben is very enthusiastic about 2005: \"KTM gave me an opportunity when I was still an up and coming rider and they have stuck with me through my rough times. The company is focussed on winning races and that\'s what we are going to be aiming for in 2005. I will also be involved in the development of the new 450cc engine which means that we can build the best bike possible. I\'m really happy to continue my relationship with KTM\"
Ben has raced KTM for the past 3 seasons and is current leader of the MX2 World Championship. Ben will race in 2005 on the new SX450 factory bike which will feature a new revolutionary motor based on the same concept as his current SXF250. Ben has already tested with the new bike 2 weeks ago in Holland.
KTM plans to continue with all 5 of it\'s current Motocross World Championship riders in the 2005 seasons with a maximum of 3 riders in MX1 and 3 riders in MX2. The policy of youth has paid of well so far in 2004 and we are very happy to be able to continue with the development of our young riders through 2005.
The riders signed for MXGP 2005 are Ben Townley, Tyla Rattray, Steve Ramon, Kenneth Gundersen and Marc Dereuver.
With the advantage of one more years experience these young riders are expected to challenge for top honours in both MX1 and MX2 in 2005.
Photo: Ben Townley with (L to R) Tobbe Gustafsson, CEO Stefan Pierer and sports manager and team manager Kurt Nicoll.
