Ben Townley
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Ben Townley (Sept 12, 1984 -) is a professional motocrosser originating from Taupo, New Zealand. After claiming multiple National championships in his native New Zealand, Townley moved to Europe and began campaigning the 125cc/MX2 World Championships. In his first few seasons (2001-2003), aboard privateer support and later factory KTM bikes, Townley emerged as a major force in the GP scene, with multiple podiums and several victories.
In 2004, riding the prototype KTM 250-SXF four stroke, Townley won the MX2 World Championship over teammates future champ Antonio Cairoli and teammates Tyla Rattray and Marc DeReuver. Townley had reached a new level of speed and endurance, winning nearly every race when his prototype machine did not fail.
2005 saw Townley move up to the MX1 class aboard a 450cc KTM. Townley won several GPs in the premier division in that rookie season, and was a consistent threat for the win by the end of the year. He finished third behind champion Stefan Everts and fellow New Zealander (and close friend) Josh Coppins.
Townley and Coppins represented their country at the 2005 Motocross des Nations in Ernee, France. It was there that Townley first faced the premier American riders who typically contend only their National championships. Townley was superb, running faster than Kevin Windham, Mickael Pichon and Stefan Everts, and was only defeated by American champion Ricky Carmichael, who is widely considered the fastest and best overall rider in the world.
Ben Townley announced plans to move to America and set up shop near Carmichael's home in Havana, Florida. He signed with the Monster Energy/Pro Circuit team to race a Kawasaki KX250F in the Motocross/Supercross lites class. Unfortunately, Townley suffered a severe knee injury in supercross training and missed the majority of the year. He is set to make his return at Red Bud, MI, in July.
