Just as Ben Townley has captured his first AMA title, the Supercross Lites Eastern Region crown, our thoughts turn to the outdoors and the upcoming battle between Townley and his Monster Energy Kawasaki teammate Ryan Villopoto — last year’s Outdoor champ.
Townley never really had a chance to strut his stuff last year. He spent most of the year recovering from a serious knee injury, and never really regained his form. Villopoto, meanwhile, developed the speed and consistency that prompted comparisons to another redhead, Ricky Carmichael.
Our thoughts drift back to the Motocross des Nations, a couple of years ago, and Townley’s speed. He beat Kevin Windham there, and hung on the back of Carmichael long enough to make many American motocross fans shake their heads. This kid is blazing fast when he is healthy, and he just might present a stiff challenge to Villopoto when the series starts in a little over 3 weeks in Sacramento on May 20.
