SUZUKI RM-Z450s DOMINATE ADAC MX MASTERS


Team Suzuki Press Office – April 26.

Suzuki’s RM-Z450 dominated the opening round of the ADAC MX Masters Championship in the hands of Ben Townley and Filip Bengtsson at Fürstlich Drehna, Germany at the weekend.

Team Suzuki World MXGP rider Townley, in his first ride back from a mystery virus that has sidelined him for the past month, dominated qualifying and also the opening race aboard his factory RM-Z450, while Bengtsson claimed victory in race two with his Team Castrol Power1 Suzuki Moto-Base RM-Z450.

New Zealander Townley demonstrated his class on Saturday by laying down the quickest qualifying time on the 1.65 km long circuit ‘Rund um den Mühlberg’ with a 1:48.748 lap-time to earn pole position.

"BT" then took control of the first moto on Sunday in lap three and never looked back, celebrating victory by more-than 20 seconds clear of second place. It looked to be a similar story in race two, but the 31-year-old was forced to retire with a mechanical problem after two laps.

Said Townley: “That was a pity, I had high ambitions for the second outing as well, but that´s racing and it can happen. We’ve put it behind us now and look positively towards what´s coming next.”

Bengtsson was right there to take the lead in lap four of the second moto when Townley pulled-out and the Swede showed brilliant form, clinching the moto victory 14.6 seconds ahead of the runner-up finisher. “Unfortunately I had problems in the opening heat because of a crashed rider. My engine stalled as I was trying to avoid him so I had to come from behind,” explained Bengtsson, who still went on to cross the line in seventh position. Altogether the Scandinavian’s 7-1 result gave him second place on the day. “Too bad I problems in race one, but it’s not a bad start to the ‘Masters’ series and it’s my first moto victory too,” he added.

In the ADAC Youngster Cup it was up to Bas Vaessen to represent the Suzuki World MX2 Team. The Dutch teenager recorded a strong second place in Saturday’s qualification, but Vaessen wasn´t blessed with luck 24 hours later: He was involved in a start crash in the first moto so the 18-year-old had to battle through the field to finish a creditable fifth. The second race again saw the Dutchman go down, twice, which ultimately meant eighth place overall for the young Suzuki talent.

The second round of the ADAC MX Masters series takes place on May 21-22nd in Möggers, Austria.

Photos (by Steve Bauerschmidt): CLICK HERE

ADAC MX Masters Points: CLICK HERE

ADAC MX Younger Cup Points: CLICK HERE


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