Bay of Plenty's Ben Townley may be on the comeback from injury and not yet 100%, but don't tell his rivals that.
The Kiwi international took his Carlton Dry Honda CRF450 to a comprehensive win at the weekend's 51st annual Honda Woodville Motocross, his second major domestic victory since climbing back on his bike following recent surgery.
The 27-year-old not only celebrated winning the MX1 class and the event's feature race as well, but he sent a very loud warning to his MX1 (450cc) class rivals that he will be the man to beat when the New Zealand Motocross Championships kick off in South Canterbury in less than two weeks' time.
The Woodville win was his second major domestic win in recent weeks, Townley winning five races from five starts as he dominated the annual Whakatane Summercross just after Christmas.
He now has his sights set on winning the national MX1 (450cc) class titles in New Zealand, and in Australia too, before the year is over, although success at Woodville is perhaps regarded as the "jewel in the crown", certainly an indicator of how his season might eventually pan out.
Winning at the Honda-sponsored Woodville event was certainly high on the list of priorities for Honda ace Townley as he put everything on the line to win on Sunday, his face looking the worse for wear after a flying rock found a way under his helmet during the feature race.
Townley finished 1-2-1 in his three MX1 (450cc) races - to finish ahead of fellow Kiwi internationals Cody Cooper, of Mount Maunganui, Motueka's Josh Coppins and fellow Honda ace Justin McDonald (Bel Ray Honda CRF450), of Christchurch.
He then wrapped up the main prize by also winning the nine-lap feature race at Woodville.
"This track was hard work today. It was one of the most technical, rutted tracks that I have raced on in many years. It was a good day, results-wise, but there is still plenty of work to do ahead of the nationals (which kick off near Timaru on February 12)."
Taupo's Emma Davis (Huka Honda CRF250) scored a hat-trick of wins in the women's GP class, finishing the day ahead of fellow Taupo rider Alex Dillon (Honda CRF250), while Auckland's Chris Power (Honda CRF450) finished 1-2 to lead a Honda 1-2 in the river race class, with Woodville's Ben Exeter taking the runner-up spot.
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