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Kiwi-cross kid Ben Townley, already grabbing the attention of European motocross bosses in his first world championship year, has stunned Belgium with a gritty ride to 10th spot in today\'s 125 grand prix.
Just 16 years old in his fourth GP, the Taupo-born expat earned world championship points - a milestone many newcomers struggle to achieve in their entire first year.
Townley calmly banked six points in the toughest conditions imaginable after the Genk circuit in eastern Belgium was rained out on Friday.
\"I\'m a bit miffed, actually,\" commented the youngster after his greatest success so far.
\"I got a good start and was up to third, but I had four little crashes during the race. The conditions were really hard and lots of other guys were going down too, but at the time I was disappointed to lose about 10 seconds on a couple of different laps through the race.\"
Townley\'s performance belied any misgivings as he slipped as low as 12th and had to pass many experienced riders.
Some of the world\'s best were left floundering in yesterday\'s qualifying and today\'s races; several 125 stars failed to qualify but Townley breezed through that - as he has done every GP so far, to the great surprise of seasoned observers.
Just two months ago, the boy who\'d just received his School Cert results was told to try to qualify for one GP in two and perhaps pick up a championship point by the end of the year. Just quarter way through the season he has far exceeded expectations.
The German-based Phase Team, maligned in incorrect New Zealand media reports this week, prepared Townley\'s Suzuki RM125 perfectly for the nightmare riding conditions and the rider returned the favour with the team\'s best result since its foundation at the start of this year.
TOWNLEY IN 20th
Young motocross export Ben Townley has been confirmed in the top 20 in the world.
The Taupo-born 16-year-old scored six points Belgian 125 Grand Prix today and is now ranked number 20 in the championship standings.
Riding for the German-based Phase Team, the GP rookie snared a sensational 10th place in slippery mud which tripped up many veterans.
