Townley an unstoppable force in national series

It is becoming a one-horse race at this season's New Zealand Motocross Championships.

Bay of Plenty rider Ben Townley is proving to be virtually unbeatable in the latest national series.

The Carlton Dry Honda rider won the big annual Whakatane Summercross just after Christmas and won the big annual Woodville Motocross GP at the end of last month.

He won the first round of four in the New Zealand Motocross Championships near Timaru a fortnight ago and he was top dog at round two of the national series near Morrinsville at the weekend.

"It was an outstanding day for me. This was the best I have ridden in a long time," Townley said. "Looking ahead to the Australian nationals ... it's important to me to keep making gains.

"I am ticking things off each week. The races were longer in Australia, so it is important that I make sure I keep pushing hard in my races here."

Fellow Honda rider Michael Phillips, of Rotorua, also shone at the weekend.

Phillips (Bel Ray Honda CRF450) finished 4-4-3 in his three MX1 class outings and he is now up to fourth in the MX1 series standings.

"I was concussed in a practice crash just before Christmas and that has put me out of action for a couple of months. I am building up for the Australian national championships, so I think [this] result is quite positive for me."

The second half of the championship takes in round three at Pukekohe on Sunday, with the final round set for Taupo on March 18.