Cycle News - Archive Issues - 2000's

.... T-t.y .... no doubt thIa time. The New Zealander_ ...... MXl ....... Ie win the Grand PrIx of Italy. en Ben Townley moved to the MX I class as the reigning MX2 World Champion at the start of the '05 season. many expected it would take the likeable New Zealander some time to come to grips with the premier class in Europe. During round two of the series in Spain. the KTM factory rider produced an overall victory. but it came without him winning a moto. That victory might have been his first in the MX I class. but his stunning I-I results in the Grand Prix of Italy showed that he just might leave Europe at the end of the year (he will race in America in 2006) as the qUickest rider in Europe. Townley's speed has improved every week. and he always fought until the end of each and every mota. Around the Castiglion del Lago circuit in Italy. everything clicked. and he showed the world he is ready for his American dream. "Next year I am moving on to America. so I will miss this type of racing:' Townley said at the postrace press conference. "It was an amazing day. They did a great job on the track. I had a little luck in both races. but it was my turn to have some luck. I was angry with myself. I used a lot of energy to get to the front. and fighting back was really difficult. I had a problem with my clutch on the fifth lap. and it was difficult to ride in third gear without the clutch. Stefan [Everts] passed me. and the clutch came back at the end of the race. so that was good for me. "It is so good. to sit here with Stefan and Joel [Smets] on each side of me:' he continued. "They have both helped me in my career. It's an amazing day. It was live on television in New Zealand. for the first time ever. so my parents got to watch. I made some good points and have to work on winning races. I want to thank every- W one in the KTM team. We knew I wouldn't fight for the title. but we knew I could fight for race wins." Defending World MX I Champion and series leader Everts was glad he was able to make a big break in the championship points. but he was disappointed with the performance of the slower riders on the track. A victory in the second moto was possible for Everts. until he collided with a lapped rider. "I am happy," Everts said. "I didn't make a good start in the first moto. and I started racing in fifth position, which makes it difficult on this track. The second race I felt better. changed some lines. and it was going really well. It is always the same with lapped riders. Lapped riders just ignore the flags. Today I had bad luck. You never know where the lappers will go. I am happy with the results. and the championship is better for me. I am in a safe position in the championship. but I need to push in the next five or six Grands Prix." Third place was Suzuki factory rider Smets. Smets. who had hinted of retirement on the Saturday in Italy. rode very well for his podium place. The five-time 500cc World Champion is still looking at a Grand Prix victory in 2005 and will fight for every point in what could be his last season racing. "It is always good to be on the podium." Smets said. "It was hard, fast racing today, and I had two consistent rides. I made a small mistake - maybe I could have gone for the overall win. Maybe someday I can win a Grand Prix." As far as retiring, Smets said, "I can't imagine stopping. but there is a day to come, and there is a day to go. and in the next two weeks. I will know a little more. There are some things I want to see hap- 28 JUNE 22, 2005 • CYCLE NEWS pen in 2006, and the chances are SO/50 that I stay or go." Yamaha rider Antonio Cairoli won the MX2 class with 1-3 results. The Italian rider also moved to the top of the MX2 Championship points after previous series leader Andrew McFarlane of Australia could only manage 5-6 results around the rock-hard circuit. Second overall was Stephen Sword with 4- I, and third place was David Philippaerts with 3-4 results. "I tried to have two good starts. and that worked out." Cairoli said. 'The first heat. I tried to lead as much as possible because of my hand injury. I had an injection in my hand. and I was worried about the pain. I had already pain in the past in my hand. It is ligament damage. and last week I hurt them. After 10 minutes. I started feeling something; I managed to do whatever it took. My goal is to keep the lead in the championship and stay there until the end. There are many riders. and I think [Alessio] Chiodi is the one that can give me problems more than the others." David Philippaerts put KTM on the podium again. which was important for the team and for the confidence of the tough Italian rider. He showed promise in the Grand Prix of Great Britain last weekend and now proved that result was no fluke. "I spend a lot of time in Belgium, but I was born in Italy. and I am home for this race." Philippaerts said. "In the first heat. I had a good start and had some problems. I managed to keep some riders behind me. In the second heat, I took the fence in the back wheel, and I managed to get the results I need. I did the third and now second, so now I just need the first place on the podium. I really hope to win in Belgium; my grandfather will be at that Grand Prix. I have stopped doing the British Championship, which will give me some rest time. We also have some testing for next week. so that should help the

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