Dirt Bike News NZ
Taupo's Townley ready to go hard
Determination and dedication has its rewards for Kiwi motocross hero Ben Townley.
After several months sidelined with injury, the Kawasaki man from Taupo will mark his international comeback at the inaugural Monster Energy Cup at Las Vegas' Sam Boyd Stadium on October 15.
The former world motocross champion has not been idle during his enforced "down time" from the top level, racing numerous events back home in New Zealand as he steadily worked to rebuild his strength and confidence.
"Of the 12 weekends I have been home, I have ridden the bike on 11 of them. I am 100% healthy again," he said.
That attitude and commitment to recover has done him proud and, with assistance from an old friend in New Zealand, Kawasaki Motorcycle Distributors boss Mike Wilkins, Townley was able to continue riding the Kawasaki KX450F throughout his time at home. He even had a 2012 model bike at his disposal for the past few weeks.
So, when the high-profile Monster Energy Pro-Circuit Kawasaki team, headed by the legendary Mitch Payton, came calling with an offer for Townley to race in Las Vegas, the Kiwi star was ready to accept the fresh challenge.
"I was in the United States to watch at the final round of the nationals there and I had a bit of a chat with Mitch Payton. He's a man who has been involved a lot with my career and when he learned that (South African rider) Tyla Rattray was not available to ride the MX1 class for him in Las Vegas, he asked me to do the job.
"I have already been riding the new 2012-model Kawasaki KX450F and even had time on one in the US before coming back to New Zealand.
"It's a good bike made great and I really think I can win on this bike. It is a lot slimmer and sleeker than the previous model and that means it is very nimble and can turn very quickly."
This track at Las Vegas will be a blend of supercross and motocross features.
The Monster Energy Cup posts a $250,000 purse, awarding the winner a $100,000 cheque, and $1 million will be paid to a rider who manages to win all three main events.
"The race concept is intriguing," said Townley. It's a combination of motocross and supercross and there is also a lot of money on the line.
"But, to be honest, the money is secondary. My focus is on getting myself back onto the world stage.
"I have been working on all areas of my riding and I'm ready to go racing internationally again," he declared.
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After several months sidelined with injury, the Kawasaki man from Taupo will mark his international comeback at the inaugural Monster Energy Cup at Las Vegas' Sam Boyd Stadium on October 15.
The former world motocross champion has not been idle during his enforced "down time" from the top level, racing numerous events back home in New Zealand as he steadily worked to rebuild his strength and confidence.
"Of the 12 weekends I have been home, I have ridden the bike on 11 of them. I am 100% healthy again," he said.
That attitude and commitment to recover has done him proud and, with assistance from an old friend in New Zealand, Kawasaki Motorcycle Distributors boss Mike Wilkins, Townley was able to continue riding the Kawasaki KX450F throughout his time at home. He even had a 2012 model bike at his disposal for the past few weeks.
So, when the high-profile Monster Energy Pro-Circuit Kawasaki team, headed by the legendary Mitch Payton, came calling with an offer for Townley to race in Las Vegas, the Kiwi star was ready to accept the fresh challenge.
"I was in the United States to watch at the final round of the nationals there and I had a bit of a chat with Mitch Payton. He's a man who has been involved a lot with my career and when he learned that (South African rider) Tyla Rattray was not available to ride the MX1 class for him in Las Vegas, he asked me to do the job.
"I have already been riding the new 2012-model Kawasaki KX450F and even had time on one in the US before coming back to New Zealand.
"It's a good bike made great and I really think I can win on this bike. It is a lot slimmer and sleeker than the previous model and that means it is very nimble and can turn very quickly."
This track at Las Vegas will be a blend of supercross and motocross features.
The Monster Energy Cup posts a $250,000 purse, awarding the winner a $100,000 cheque, and $1 million will be paid to a rider who manages to win all three main events.
"The race concept is intriguing," said Townley. It's a combination of motocross and supercross and there is also a lot of money on the line.
"But, to be honest, the money is secondary. My focus is on getting myself back onto the world stage.
"I have been working on all areas of my riding and I'm ready to go racing internationally again," he declared.
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Coppins and Martens spearhead Yamaha assualt
Yamaha will launch a potent two-pronged attack on the New Zealand Motocross Championships next season.
Former world No.2 Josh Coppins, from Motueka, will again head the MXDK Rockstar Yamaha Team, racing the YZF450 in the MX1 class, while national 125cc and under-21 champion Ethan Martens, of Waitakere, will step up to the MX2 class in 2012, riding the 250cc four-stroke YZ250F.
Martens has a huge task ahead of him, to live up to the example set by his team boss, 42-year-old Darryll King, who surprised everyone when he won the MX2 crown last season riding a 250cc two-stroke Yamaha YZ250.
"I won't defend my MX2 title in 2012," said King. "I really just want to concentrate on managing the team now.
"I have every confidence that Ethan has the goods to win the MX2 class. I really believe in him. He is extremely focussed and has shown great determination. It will be great to keep the MX2 title in the Yamaha camp."
King said he would be on the look-out for a 125cc rider to replace Martens in that class.
"We will be looking at how the Kiwis go in the Australian junior nationals and make a decision after that."
King said Coppins would have his first race for the team at the Whakatane Summercross, just after Christmas, but his brother Damien King, a multi-time former national champion, would be a key part of the team until then.
"Josh needed surgery on his shoulder after an accident racing in Australia in July."
King said his team would contest four major meetings before the motocross national kick off early next year - the New Zealand Veterans' Championships in the Manawatu in October, the Taupo Motocross Extravaganza in October, the Auckland Motocross Championships in November and the Whakatane Summercross in late December.
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Former world No.2 Josh Coppins, from Motueka, will again head the MXDK Rockstar Yamaha Team, racing the YZF450 in the MX1 class, while national 125cc and under-21 champion Ethan Martens, of Waitakere, will step up to the MX2 class in 2012, riding the 250cc four-stroke YZ250F.
Martens has a huge task ahead of him, to live up to the example set by his team boss, 42-year-old Darryll King, who surprised everyone when he won the MX2 crown last season riding a 250cc two-stroke Yamaha YZ250.
"I won't defend my MX2 title in 2012," said King. "I really just want to concentrate on managing the team now.
"I have every confidence that Ethan has the goods to win the MX2 class. I really believe in him. He is extremely focussed and has shown great determination. It will be great to keep the MX2 title in the Yamaha camp."
King said he would be on the look-out for a 125cc rider to replace Martens in that class.
"We will be looking at how the Kiwis go in the Australian junior nationals and make a decision after that."
King said Coppins would have his first race for the team at the Whakatane Summercross, just after Christmas, but his brother Damien King, a multi-time former national champion, would be a key part of the team until then.
"Josh needed surgery on his shoulder after an accident racing in Australia in July."
King said his team would contest four major meetings before the motocross national kick off early next year - the New Zealand Veterans' Championships in the Manawatu in October, the Taupo Motocross Extravaganza in October, the Auckland Motocross Championships in November and the Whakatane Summercross in late December.
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Kiwi Trials Legend
JAKE WHITTAKER HAS UPSET THE LOCALS
Kiwi Jake Whittaker has upset the locals,
winning the 2011 Australian Moto Trials
Championship in the Barossa Valley,
South Australia.
.
Kiwi Jake Whittaker has upset the locals,
winning the 2011 Australian Moto Trials
Championship in the Barossa Valley,
South Australia.
.
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