Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki rider Ben Townley captured the AMA Motocross Lites overall win at the opening round of the AMA Motocross Championship series at the Hangtown Motocross Park.

All tolled, Kawasaki riders claimed four of the six podium positions, including Monster Energy Kawasaki riders James Stewart and Timmy Ferry finishing second and third in AMA motocross and Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki's Ryan Villopoto collecting second place in AMA Motocross Lites.

Townley is off to a great start in his first full season in the AMA Motocross Championship series after posting a 2-1 moto finish at Hangtown. The victory did not come easy for Townley and received pressure in both motos from his teammate Villopoto, who went on to finish 1-2.

"I rode a little tight in the first moto and got stuck in a groove," said Townley. "I was just not riding like I knew I could. In the second moto all I wanted was to go out there and ride like I know how to. Fortunately, I got a good start and then just focused on myself and charging ahead and it worked out well. I can't explain how good it feels especially after missing nearly the entire series last year."

Teammate Brett Metcalfe, who was forced to sit out the entire supercross season due to injury, finished fifth overall (7-4) and figures to gain momentum as the series progresses. Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki's Chris Gosselaar crashed pretty hard in the opening moto and was unable to finish either moto, but is expected to return for the next round.

In the AMA Motocross class, Stewart put on an impressive showing in the first moto, battling the entire race before capturing the victory. He was poised for the overall win before a crash in moto two badly bent his bars and impaired his brake lever to a point that greatly affected his riding ability. Stewart backed it down and saved valuable points in earning second place overall (1-4).

"I just couldn't seem to relax in the second moto and when I finally did, I crashed," said Stewart. "We were struggling with bike set-up since the track was really hard to gauge and it felt like one lap was three."

Teammate Timmy Ferry put in an impressive ride aboard his Kawasaki KX™450F, earning third in both motos for third overall at Hangtown.

MotoSport Kawasaki's Matt Boni finished in the 11th position while teammates Steve Boniface and Bobby Kiniry finished in 15th and 29th.

Next week the teams head to Mt. Morris, Pa., for the Kawasaki/Monster Energy High Point National which is the first of the Triple Crown series on May 26-27.

AMA Motocross Championship Series
Hangtown ­ Sacramento - May 20, 2007

AMA Motocross (Moto Finishes)

1. Ricky Carmichael, Tallahassee, Fla., Suzuki, 2-1
2. JAMES STEWART, HAINES CITY, FLA., MONSTER ENERGY KAWASAKI, 1-4
3. TIMMY FERRY, LARGO, FLA., MONSTER ENERGY KAWASAKI, 3-3
4. Davi Millsaps, Cairo, Ga., Honda, 5-2
5. Grant Langston, Clermont, Fla., Yamaha, 6-5
6. Kevin Windham, Centreville, Miss., Honda, 4-9
7. Andrew Short, Smithville, Texas, Honda, 8-6
8. Mike Alessi, Victorville, Calif., KTM, 7-8
9. Michael Byrne, Menifee, Calif., Suzuki, 9-10
10. David Vuillemin, Murrieta, Calif., Honda, 15-7

AMA Motocross Class Point Standings

1. Ricky Carmichael, Tallahassee, Fla., Suzuki, 47
2. JAMES STEWART, HAINES CITY, FLA., MONSTER ENERGY KAWASAKI, 43
3. TIMMY FERRY, LARGO, FLA., MONSTER ENERGY KAWASAKI, 40
4. Davi Millsaps, Cairo, Ga., Honda, 38
5. Grant Langston, Clermont, Fla., Yamaha, 31
6. Kevin Windham, Centreville, Miss., Honda, 30
7. Andrew Short, Smithville, Texas, Honda, 28
8. Mike Alessi, Victorville, Calif., KTM, 27
9. Michael Byrne, Menifee, Calif., Suzuki, 23
10. David Vuillemin, Murrieta, Calif., Honda, 20

AMA Motocross Lites (Moto Finishes)

1. BEN TOWNLEY, TALLAHASSEE, FLA., MONSTER ENERGY/PRO CIRCUIT/KAWASAKI, 2-1
2. RYAN VILLOPOTO, POULSBO, WASH., MONSTER ENERGY/PRO CIRCUIT/KAWASAKI, 1-2
3. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., Suzuki, 3-3
4. Josh Grant, Riverside, Calif., Honda, 4-6
5. BRETT METCALFE, MURRIETA, CALIF., MONSTER ENERGY/PRO CIRCUIT/KAWASAKI, 7-4
6. Jason Lawrence, Murrieta, Ga., Yamaha, 5-5
7. Thomas Hahn, Decatur, Texas, Honda, 6-8
8. Broc Tickle, Cary, N.C., Yamaha, 8-7
9. Martin Davalos, Cairo, Ga., KTM, 12-10
10. Jake Weimer, Rupert, Idaho, Honda, 15-9

AMA Motocross Lites Point Standings

1. BEN TOWNLEY, TALLAHASSEE, FLA., MONSTER ENERGY/PRO CIRCUIT/KAWASAKI, 47
2. RYAN VILLOPOTO, POULSBO, WASH., MONSTER ENERGY/PRO CIRCUIT/KAWASAKI, 47
3. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., Suzuki, 40
4. Josh Grant, Riverside, Calif., Honda, 33
5. BRETT METCALFE, MURRIETA, CALIF., MONSTER ENERGY/PRO CIRCUIT/ KAWASAKI, 32
6. Jason Lawrence, Murrieta, Ga., Yamaha, 32
7. Thomas Hahn, Decatur, Texas, Honda, 28
8. Broc Tickle, Cary, N.C., Yamaha, 27
9. Martin Davalos, Cairo, Ga., KTM, 20
10. Jake Weimer, Rupert, Idaho, Honda, 18