Townley dominates opening round of 2012 MX Nationals

The Carlton Dry Honda Thor rider had been signed to compete for the whole season, but a last minute offer from Chad Reed's Two Two Motorsports to ride in the USA meant that the Conondale season opener would be the former world champion's sole appearance in the 2012 MX Nationals before he heads overseas.

In motos one and two, it was all Townley, the New Zealander dominating from the front and asserting his authority early in the series before the lunch break. Those motos were back-to-back, making for an exciting start to the 2012 series.

Townley won moto one from teammate Brad Anderson, with CDR Yamaha's Josh Coppins third. Completing the top five were Aussie rising stars Todd Waters (Motul Pirelli Suzuki) and Coppins' teammate Lawson Bopping. The second moto was again a Townley show, the Kiwi winning over Anderson and Coppins, who had their own tight battle. Waters was again impressive in fourth, while privateer Jake Moss (Campbell Mining/TLD/Maxima Honda) was fifth.

Moto three was the longer of the three in a more traditional length of around 30 minutes. Once again, it was 27-year-old Townley who starred in the third hitout. With lap times up to three seconds per lap faster than his rivals, Townley's victory was assured early in the 30-minute moto

"It feels great to win and I felt that my form is as good as it's ever been," Townley said. "I've been doing a lot of winning in New Zealand, but coming here today was a step up from what I've been doing back there. I'm really thankful to the Carlton Dry Honda team and I feel I brought a lot to the team during the pre-season - it showed today."

Behind Townley in the final moto was Coppins, ahead of Scottish standout Billy Mackenzie (Monster Energy Kawasaki), Waters and Moss, who was exceptional as top privateer finisher in fourth overall for the round.
Coppins' consistency sealed him the runner-up position overall, while a mechanical problem ruled Anderson out of the final moto and forced him to settle for fifth overall. His troubles handed the final podium place for the round to Queenslander Waters, who was top Aussie with another fourth in the final moto.

Defending four-time champion Jay Marmont (Monster Energy Kawasaki) endured a trying start to the season, battling injury after a collision in the second moto, and only claiming seventh overall behind Bopping.

The series will continue at Coonabarabran, New South Wales, in a two-day event on 14-15 April.

2012 Monster Energy MX Nationals
Round One - Conondale, QLD

MX1 Round Results:
1. Ben Townley 75
2. Josh Coppins 62
3. Todd Waters 54
4. Jake Moss 46
5. Brad Anderson 44
6. Lawson Bopping 41
7. Jay Marmont 41
8. Cody Cooper 38
9. Tye Simmonds 38
10. Billy Mackenzie 34

See separate report for MX2 (Lites) and MXD (Junior Development) results.

Full results and further details at www.mxnationals.com.au.