New Zealand’s Ben Townley out-performed his Suzuki team-mate Kevin Strijbos in timed practice (fifth position) at the MXGP of Latvia today, in his first appearance since round three in Holland, but had to settle for seventh in the qualifying race.

Slovenian Tim Gajser was top qualifier.

Former MX2 world champion Townley was held up at the beginning of the qualification sprint race but rallied back to the fringe of the top-five before clashing with Brirain’s Shaun Simpson and, needing to pick up his bike, but Townley nursed a painful finger and bashed knee to regain places up to seventh.

“I had a rubbish start and then I had to stop behind Tanel Leok who had crashed and lost some time,” said Townley.

“I charged right up to Shaun in fifth and was trying to pass him on the inside but he squared the corner and we came together. It was a big collision and I must have got my finger caught in there somewhere. I was down in 12th and fought back to seventh. I feel great on the track and I reckon I have a podium ‘chance’ in me but I need to sort out the start.”

MXGP Qualification Heat: 1. Tim Gajser (SLO, Honda), 24:20.229; 2. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), +0:01.633; 3. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, Yamaha), +0:04.146; 4. Kevin Strijbos (BEL, Suzuki), +0:05.302; 5. Romain Febvre (FRA, Yamaha), +0:11.279; 6. Maximilian Nagl (GER, Husqvarna), +0:20.021; 7. Ben Townley (NZL, Suzuki), +0:34.507; 8. Shaun Simpson (GBR, KTM), +0:35.725; 9. Clement Desalle (BEL, Kawasaki), +0:36.502; 10. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, KTM), +0:40.339.

Photo by Ray Archer

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